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The Editor's Desk - From Beneath the Clutter
Feature Article - Looking Great without Spending a Fortune
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Wow! Summer hit hard and fast around here this year. We've been getting temps over 100 in my area, and humid to boot. That's slightly unusual for the area; normally hot days aren't all that humid.
It's been a fun week. It was my husband's 20 year high school reunion. I may be biased, but I think my 10 year one was the better party. That's not to say we didn't have fun, because we did. Found some of his classmates that still live more or less in the area, which was nice. Found out that some hotels gouge you more for sodas than movie theaters do. There's just something about paying $3.75 for a small glass of soda that goes beyond ridiculous. Add to that that the water glasses were all picked up after the buffet part of dinner, with no clear place to get more water (aside from buying bottled at absurd prices), and let's just say the location's service didn't impress me. But with lots of fun people it was still a good party.
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One of the hardest things to do when you’re on a tight budget is keep a nice wardrobe for yourself and your family. Most often it’s hardest on the stay at home mom, since her wardrobe is the easiest one to skimp on. But with a little wise spending the entire family can dress better without breaking the budget.
We’ll start with getting clothes for the kids. After all, they are often the biggest part of the clothing budget since they outgrow their clothes so fast and are harder on them as well.
Baby clothes can very easily be bought at thrift and resale shops. Most people are given far too many baby clothes, or baby outgrows each outfit after just a couple wearings, so clothes for them tend to be in great shape. You can even find those special outfits for holidays or events at bargain prices very easily for babies. Garage sales are another great place to check.
Of course, it gets harder as the kids get older. Older kids are much harder on their clothes, and especially as they become more aware of what their peers are wearing, care more about fitting in with their friends. They don’t want to look shabby... well, unless that’s the style their friends like.
Don’t give up! Keep checking those thrift shops and consignment shops, along with those garage sales. You can also post your needs on Freecycle and see if anyone has exactly what you are after.
You might be surprised at the great finds you can get from consignment shops and other such places. Even a picky teenager might get some pleasant surprises, despite any grumbling you may hear. You don’t have to buy them the latest fashions, after all, and consignment and thrift shopping give your more fashion conscious kids the best shot at wearing the trendy styles and brands they want.
Of course, don’t forget to include clothes for yourself and your husband when you shop. Even if you are a stay at home mom there are times you just want to dress a little bit nicer than you have to. For your wardrobe, keep an eye out for pieces that will last, as well as items that will remain in style for years to come. There are plenty of classic items that you’ll get years of use out of, so that you only need to update part of your wardrobe to look current.
Speaking of consignment shops, don’t forget to sell your own used clothes through them. Anything that is of good enough quality has a fair chance of selling through a consignment shop. You can add to your clothing budget so that it has less of an impact on the rest of your budget this way.
Shopping garage sales, consignment shops and thrift shops is a great way to make shopping a little easier on your budget. It’s also a great way to buy clothes you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. With a little practice you’ll enjoy shopping at these places and finding bargains you hadn’t previously realized were available.
Stephanie Foster is the owner of Home with the Kids, a resource that knows that there's more to staying home with your family than just business. For more stay at home tips, visit the site at http://www.homewiththekids.com/ and subscribe to the free newsletter.
Buy Secondhand Chic to learn more about shopping at consignment and thrift shops
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