The cold weather is here and only getting colder. These tips are all about preparing your family’s winter wardrobe. Whether your buying, stitching, sharing or thrift-ing, you will save a fortune. Take these tips all the way to the bank!
1. One kids’ trash is another kids treasure. Well maybe not treasure–but it works. Of course were talking about Hand-me-downs. If you have more than one child buying winter clothes can be an abnormal pinch in the budget. Never throw away or give away an older child’s winter clothes. It is easy to think that after one winter of snow ball fights and outdoor activity may ruin a jacket. Lets just say that’s far from the truth.
At the rate your children grow you should not invest that much on clothes anyway, and a washer machine will probably do the trick. So before you buy a new wardrobe for your younger child, go through the older child’s dresser and see what doesn’t fit them anymore.
2. Buy early. It is still only November so prepare now for harsher weather. Many stores have pre-season sales on winter clothes, snow pants, jackets, sweaters and boots. Once really cold weather arrives store prices get jacked up. So do not wait any longer. Go out and buy what you need now. Take the life lesson we should all know by now—procrastination equals disaster.
3. Mend torn clothes. If an article of winter clothing only has a mere tear and still fits, see if you can sew it together. A lot of holes in sweaters are created from a little snag and are still in great condition. So take that needle and thread and try to mend it before tossing. Even if you can not sew great, a few stitches do not take much skill.
4. Thrifty moms go for thrift stores. When it comes to winter clothes thrift stores are a good option. Thrift stores carry clothes of all sorts and sizes. Most children grow out of clothes, winter jackets and snow pants quickly. If mothers do not have anyone to hand the clothes down to, moms usually will bring them to a thrift store. So do not be surprised to see snow gear, sweaters and boots that are in close to new condition.
5. Buy for next year. At the end of the winter seasons all winter clothes and outer wear goes for dirt cheap. Most places have sales from 75%-80% off. Buy gloves, hats and scarves that you know you can always use. This time is also great to buy jackets. It may be difficult for you to predict your child’s size, but get a few sizes up. Too big is better than too small. If you think about it, coats are better big anyway. So do not be scared of end of the year sales. These sales could help you save hundreds and next year you will already be prepared.
[...] Here are some tips on Preparing Your Family’s Winter Wardrobe. [...]