Monday’s post about Changing your mind elicited a comment from The Adventurist about rummage sales that I thought I would capitalize on. One of the biggest ways to save money is to buy USED! No kidding. Thats right, something someone has already used and decided they don’t want any more. If there is still life in the thing, use it!

Kids clothes are the best example of this, especially little kids clothes. I am trying to think back about how many new, full priced outfits we bought for the girls and I’m coming up with a very slim number. I know when my wife first found out she was pregnant, she bought a couple super cute outfits to surprise me at work with. I also know that when we were travel ling and I forgot something I would have to buy something quick… maybe a nice new dress for Christmas or something, but really there hasn’t been that many.

Then I see folks at Children’s Place, Baby Gap …um… those kind of stores (Sorry, I don’t make it to malls very often) buying hundreds of dollars worth of clothes! Come ON! They are kids. Spend that kind of money to watch them spill juice, barf, grass stain those clothes? WHY?!? Hit a few garage sales and get hundreds of dollars of clothes for your kids with $5.

We have also been absolutely blessed with my cousin. She has two girls as well, the youngest a couple years older than my oldest. Every couple of months they send another box of clothes that they have grown out of. They have been doing this for the last couple of years, and it has been an absolute life saver. Right when we are thinking “Oh boy, she’s outgrowing this stuff…” there is another box on our stoop! Do I mind that they are used?

You should know me better than that!

Acquire used, go to garage/rummage sales. Put that money to something more useful…

Peace!
Tony