Consignment Sales & Stores- one way we afford to live on one income

When we made the leap of faith for me to quit my full time job to be a full time mom, it was certainly just that- a leap of faith.  After some number crunching we realized we were basically using up my salary just eating out and going and "doing" things.  Sad but true!!!   We quickly adjusted to Dustin's salary alone.  That is not to say it was not without some nervousness, but I soon learned that God provides.  It really is amazing to watch him work in our lives.  One concern of mine was how in the world to clothe two little people (little did I know it would soon be 3 little people!) with clothes, shoes, socks, etc.  I had always enjoyed yard sale shopping but honestly, you have to really search those because the odds the house you pull up to has kids exactly your kids' sizes is slim.  One thing that I do at yard sales is buy sizes ahead and usually the prices are so low you can afford to do that and take a risk that the item may not work later...depending on how fast the kids grow and seasons.
It's really not a good use of my time to do a lot of yard saling at this stage though because it requires a babysitter and there is no guarantee you will find what you need. 

An easier approach to be able to get used clothing in specific sizes is shopping consignment stores or sales.  I love shopping at our local consignment store, especially when I need something specific-like a pair of rain boots for one of the kids, or maybe a new dance leotard for Emilynn.  I always check there before biting the bullet and paying full retail price.  I have to admit- I would rather have something name brand that is used than something brand new from say...Walmart or another discount store.  I bought Emilynn 2 outfits at Walmart in the fall and after the first washing they looked so worn that we just used them for playclothes.  Name brand things like stuff from The Children's Place, Gymboree, Crazy 8, Carter's, etc. holds up so much better, even after many wears and stains come out much more easily.  Someone told me they used nicer cotton to make the name brand things- I'm not sure if that's true but it makes sense to me! 

There is also a really nice, new Goodwill that I really like as well.  I went in there a few weeks ago and got SO many nice, name brand things for the kids.  They are pretty much set for summer-especially Emilynn.  She probably has more than she can wear but she is my hardest on clothes, so we'll see.  Goodwill is a little harder to shop, you need more time when you go there because things are lumped together.  For instance, infant through maybe 3T is together, which is a big range. 

We are also blessed that different people just give us clothes from time to time.  I always take everything, no matter.  I can look through it and get what we can use out and then pass on the rest.  I don't want anyone to think my kids HAVE to have name brand clothes, because that is NOT the case.  We have a mix of everything at all times.  Carson pretty much only likes John Deere shirts, so I get those from our local Peebles store if we don't have hand-me-downs from either Cousin Hunter (there are 2-remember!). 

Anyway, we shop a local consignment sale twice per year (my sister and I).  We went last week to it and drug my mom along, which significantly increased my bill!  She loves shopping for Emilynn.  Girls clothes ARE much more fun to shop for.  Amanda and I both joined her at the girls' section and all picked out a bunch of stuff.  We all agreed the boys' stuff was less in quantity and not as cute. 

I really racked up on stuff at the sale.  Here is what I got for $66.00 total.  Half of that went to a Fire Department too, so it also helped a great cause!  Oh, and when I say "near" or "local", that is relative because anything near or local to me is about 30-45 minutes away!!!   Some people have hang ups about used clothes.  My thought is- how do you know how many people tried on something in a store, or possibly took it home and returned it?  You really don't.  That makes it kind of the same thing, don't ya think??  :-) 

My consignment steals:  (I'll list prices when I remember them)

• A Wilson softball glove for Emilynn- $3 (because you can never have too many gloves, you never know when a pick-up game will occur!)
• A purse with an "E" on it from Justice-$2 (We had to explain Justice to my mom. It was funny, she spotted the "E" bag and then said, "You don't want this, it says 'Justice' all over it. I told her I was sure she'd be adquainted with Justice soon enough!) 
• A Jansport small backpack for Emilynn- $2
• Rainboots for Emilynn-like new $4
• Thomas and Friends roundhouse set you can take with you-$4 (looked it up online later and since it is discontinued it goes from anywhere from $40-$80!) 
• Package of 3 pair of shorts for Emilynn- $1
• Drama Queen shirt for Emilynn (so appropriate!)-$1
• Carter's Summer one piece romper for Henry- so cute!
• Jumping Beans 4th of July tee- Emmy
• Thomas & Friends t-shirt- Carson
• Jumping Beans skort for Emmy with matching flamingo t-shirt-cute!
• Osh Kosh jean jumper for Emilynn
• Faded Glory top for Emilynn-really cute summer one!
• Baby Gap polo shirt for Henry
• Lightning McQueen shirt for Carson
• Beach print Bermuda shorts for Emmy
• Dressy capris for Em
• 3 pack of Jumping Beans capris for Emmy (the "loungey" kind as we call them around here)
• another 3 pack of shorts for Emmy- $1 (these are the cotton stretchy ones that can be worn out or possibly as playclothes)
• Package of 5 tank tops for Emilynn
• Red and white seersucker dress with strawberries in smocking on it- so adorable!  Call me old-fashioned- I love smocking!!  Even for baby boys! 
• Rare Editions capri set (dressy)-$5
• Rare Editions seersucker capri set with flamingos-$5
• white t-shirt with flowers
• Gymboree cotton sundress
• J.Khaki sundress with a monkey on it
• Jumping beans top
• pink and white top
• package of 22 socks for Emilynn- Nike, Old Navy, etc.  I will pick through these.  I don't normally buy used socks but I think I paid $2 for all of them and will get some good pairs out of it.  We always need socks and they seemed in great condition.

As you can see, the girls' stuff was in abundance.  I think my Mom was skeptical at first but I'm pretty sure we made a believer out of her...since she ran my bill up by $20 more than I usually spend.  I think it was pretty good to get all of those things for just $66.  I may even be able to re-sell some things at next year's sale if they make it that long!!!  :-)   Emilynn is so set for summer it's ridiculous.  I am not sure about the boys yet, but I know I have stuff in my storage shed for them both and Carson can probably wear the same shorts he wore last year- 24 month.   We've taken to calling him "Slim." 

Amanda scored some good deals too- the best being a like brand-new baby mattress for FREE!!  We were gonna pay for it and they gave it to us. It made for an interesting ride home in the back of Amanda's compact "commuter" car for me!  :-)   The boy stuff was really lacking though.  Bummer!  You never know what you are gonna find. 

We finished the night with dinner at Ruby Tuesday.  A fun mother-daughter night hunting for deals!!!!