School shopping at thrift stores?

[mom2Isaac]

I do the same thing too with 6 people in the house. The only one who STILL refuses to wear anything that is from WM or goodwill or anything is DH.

That is just one of the many things we butt heads on

[RamRez5]

One man's trash is another's treasure. My DH will be the first to brag, to anyone, that I only paid $1.66 or less sometimes, for his Old Navy button downs (his favorite). My kids do not know any difference, all they know is that it was brought home in a bag, and when it does not fit anymore and its still wearable, it goes in the box near my closet, ready to go to a new home (Goodwill). My teenage relatives get giddy when I call to ask them their size if I find A&E or Hollister for less than $5. Their friends must think I am the best aunt in the world, cause I "buy" them brand names all the time! If they only knew.

[ShoppingCartDiva]

I used to love that store! I haven't been in Gabriels in a long time, though. I am ALWAYS in Winchester (it seems like), we have tons of family up that way. Before we moved, we lived in Charles Town. That's the only Gabriel Brothers I've ever been in. :)

Originally Posted by TsPlace Most definitely! I got pulled into the taking the kids to the mall and other stores, spent too much, and upset with myself but hey they looked good. What a dumby I was! I have learned my financial lesson the hard way. No more....my teenagers have no problem going into the local Goodwill store to find a good bargain. And, we have a great store here in Winchester, VA called Gabriel Brothers (Gabs as everyone in town calls it) and they have name brands left & right but at cheap prices. You have to pick through them (some are imperfects or a button missing) but for the most part they are good (and anyone can sew on a button for an Urban Outfitters shirt (with tag still on it at $70) and you pay $3! Just got back yesterday from buying my daughter 12 Delia undies, 3 American Eagle bra/undie sets, 2 sets of 6 pack socks, 1 American Eagle skirt, 2 Acrombie Fitch shirts and 2 pairs of shoes (one of which is Converse) and 2 pairs of American Eagle khakis for my teenage son and 8 pack of undies for myself. Oop = 47.99

[billig]

I love shopping at thrift stores...it's kinda like treasure hunting.
Here in Minneapolis I go on the days that things are really cheap.

Savers: I believe on Thursday - Sunday they have 50% off a certain color tag. Then on Monday everything with that particular color tag is only .99¢

Goodwill is 50% off a certain color tag on Sunday and Monday, and then that color tag is $1.49 on Tuesday.

They have senior days, toddler days, holiday sales, etc.

[Debbieomi]

My son so rarely gets anything brand new that he now asks....couldn't you find that at Goodwill?
The only things I generally buy new are undies and socks and I have him stocked up for the next three years thanks to super cheapy sales with bonuses at Meijer.

There is a thrift store in a town just north where we LOVE to go. They have dollar bag sales all the time. Last week, I found blue jeans, black jeans, 2 pr of khakis, a belt, 4 prs of shorts and 2 t-shirts for a buck!
You are definitely not alone on this one. My sister outfits here four sons the same way. The oldest, 16, uses birthday and Christmas money if he HAS TO HAVE some piece of clothing. The other boys don't care as long as they can be comfortable.

[Mothernature]

I used to sporadically shop at thrift stores. I found merchandise to resell for a nice profit and some holiday decorations. I primarily shopped for my son because he outgrew his cloths quickly.

We went to one a few weeks ago since we've relocated. While I am happy with my finds (brand new Gymboree, Children's Place, other high end names with tags for $1.99/each), I will not return.

I've found brand new in plastic brand name back packs for a $1 at garage sales. I find my school supplies for free or cheap before and after school commencement. I purchase cloths off season most of the time. I found my sons shorts for $.97/pair at Target and sweaters for $3.99 at Gymboree.

[momabrown3]

Originally Posted by TheWoman I have found that if I shop the clearance at quality stores I can get new stuff for a couple of dollars. That isn't much more than the thrift stores charge. However, I think thrift stores are great for those items that I didn't plan ahead well enough to get at last year's clearance.

I get my oldest daughters clothes at Brand name stores like old navy,areopostals,hollisters on there clearance racks.I can get her a 30-45.00dollar shirt for about 5-6 dollars.They charge 2.99 for a used shirt at the goodwill.She did find a new areopostal tee with tags at the flea market for 3.00 the original tag was 36.00 for a tee.

[momabrown3]

Originally Posted by RamRez5 One man's trash is another's treasure. My DH will be the first to brag, to anyone, that I only paid $1.66 or less sometimes, for his Old Navy button downs (his favorite). My kids do not know any difference, all they know is that it was brought home in a bag, and when it does not fit anymore and its still wearable, it goes in the box near my closet, ready to go to a new home (Goodwill). My teenage relatives get giddy when I call to ask them their size if I find A&E or Hollister for less than $5. Their friends must think I am the best aunt in the world, cause I "buy" them brand names all the time! If they only knew.

Hollister finds are great .My daughter loves them.

[billig]

How about asking friends and family for hand-me-downs?
Or make clothing exchanges with friends that would work out like:
Her 3yo has clothes that would fit you 2 yo and your 7 yo has clothes that would fit her 6yo. KWIM?
Then it's free.

[Cynthiabutterfly]

I always find good deals at Goodwill. The salvation army is a further drive, so I haven't been there yet, and I don't know where the thrift stores are (we just moved). I even shop for myself there, my favorite was $7 for brand new with tags Calvin Klein jeans!

But don't knock the clearance sales at other stores either! Target and Kohls are so cheap, I got brand-new shorts and t's for my sons for the same price at Kohl's as I paid a week earlier at the Goodwill!