How to Find Cheap Family Clothing Solutions
When you're on a tight budget, it's difficult to buy new clothes for everyone in the family. There are alternatives that make the most of the clothes you have and extend their durability. In addition, there are ways to find new quality and fashionable clothes at a great price to add to everyone's closet. From sewing to bargain hunting, there are solutions to finding clothes for all family members and for any occasion, including for the office, teens, toddlers, even for parties. Remaining open-minded, flexible and creative will make the solutions most effective. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Department store coupons
- Yard sale listings
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
- Knitting needles and yarn
Instructions
-
-
1
Go through your family's closet and make a list of what everyone's needs are. Pull items that need repair. Determine what is missing or should be replaced.
-
2
Make sure you pass along perfectly good clothing down the line to the youngest children in your family. Don't forget to tap the resources of extended family and friends. Make it a two-way street and regularly exchange anything from coats to holiday dresses to hardly used ice skates.
-
-
3
Go to yard sales. Look in your local paper or just read the signs posted on nearby street poles. This is a great way to find items that are sometimes sold cheaply in bulk.
-
4
Regularly shop for discounts, especially at the end of each season. Check your mailers, newspaper or stop by your local department store to see what sales you can find. You can often get over 40 percent off. Don't forget the discount retailers who already mark down labels and usually have sale racks as well.
-
5
Darn, knit and sew. Don't toss an item due to a slight tear or tiny hole. Get out your sewing kit and make the minor repair. If you're handy with a sewing machine, set aside time to sew some custom-made clothes. If you have fast growing children, put in deep hems and elastic waistbands. Winter hats and scarves are easy beginner projects to knit.
-
6
Instead of a trip to the cleaners, treat your clothes to a gentle cold wash in the machine or by hand. It will save you money and conserve energy.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Find free knitting patterns and how-to videos online.
Use the moments you sew and darn to teach your children this valuable skill.
When cold washing, always check clothing labels. Use the gentlest setting, and as a rule, it's better to line dry anything you might have otherwise taken to the cleaners.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit babies closet image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
