Living frugally allows you to live richly in ways that you choose. It can be really simple and lovely to live frugally. I like to have style with my frugality - designer clothing bought second-hand, travel to Europe with home exchanges, and eating wonderful meals, cooked at home. Make no mistake - frugal is not the same as cheap. And, I don't clip or print coupons.
We tend to get clothes that could be worn in any season. For instance, my button-down, long sleeve shirts may be a little warm for a summer in the South, but they aren't too bad once you get used to them. Since we try to buy as many clothes than can be worn year-round as possible, we try to obtain them from places like Land's End. They are a little more expensive but they last.
Also, these types of places are constantly running specials, such as 30-40% off + free shipping. And credit card rewards tend to issue gift card for these sites for $40 in rewards -> $50 gift card or at worst $45 -> $50. So using this approach all the winter coats for our kids this year were paid via rewards benefits usage when one of these online retailers ran one of their huge discount weekends, meaning we didn't drop an additional dime on them.
I save on winter clothes by living in Texas and by searching for "new with tags" on ebay. I recently bought a new with tags North Face jacket for 85$ it retails for 186$.
I work with what I already have and fill in the holes (literally). A few of my older sweaters had holes in them when I pulled them out, so I hit up some deals on Black Friday to replace them and then made the old sweaters into sweater pillows. I just need to make some felt flowers to hide the holes and they'll be ready to throw on my bed for some extra warmth this winter.
I buy clothing lots on eBay in a size larger than what my kids need. Lots of stuff - especially if it carries the "name brand" - can be layered and won't look bad if it's too big. My kids get the brands they want, I get two years out of the same item at thrift store discount prices.
I shop at thrift stores clearance racks and in the off season to save on winter clothes. If I have to have a certain winter item I'll also shop through a rebate site to save more money on my purchase!
Winter in NJ is long and harsh, but not long nor harsh enough to break the bank for warm clothes in the winter. If I shop during the spring and summer, I can usually discover a nice, warm coat and even a handful of sweaters (for layering, hint hint) at a consignment or thrift store without spending more than $50-75/yr. Obviously, exiting the mindset that Columbia, Timberland, or other major name brands are the ONLY options for staying warm has saved me hundreds of dollars.
My boys wear each other's hand me down snow pants, boots and gloves. I shop the off season (looking for next year's winter coat in February) and I have no problems shopping thrift and consignment stores for winter coats, boots and "dress" clothes for my children (winter is when they need them the most for concerts, recitals, church programs) and I always find gently used items for a fraction of the cost of buying new!
I am looking for directions or pictures of how to make a man's tie into a change holder or cell phone holder. Does anyone have something that would help? I want to make some to sell for a mission project going on in my church.
I try to buy winter wear in spring, when it is all on sale. But TBH I haven't bought so much as a scarf in years -- my old stuff is still serviceable enough!
Well luckily I don't have to spend a lot on winter clothes because I live in Southern California. However, if I do need something I usually wait for a really good deal or pick it up as we go into spring.
I saver money on winter clothes by shopping sales during the holiday season, combining coupons and always buying at the outlets. I never buy anything full price - ever!
My 'tweens are very "status conscious" and really want "name" winter coats. To strike a balance, I try to buy in the off-season.....got my oldest a Spyder coat online for 75% off in early July! The hardest part is planning how much they'll grow.....err on the cautious side and big the bigger size. :-)
Good Will for coats. My kids grow out of winter coats before they wear them out and so do lots of other kids. My kids also wear t-shirts all year long. They just add a hoodie, no sweaters to be bought.
Living frugally allows you to live richly in ways that you choose. It can be really simple and lovely to live frugally. I like to have style with my frugality - designer clothing bought second-hand, travel to Europe with home exchanges, and eating wonderful meals, cooked at home. Make no mistake - frugal is not the same as cheap. And, I don't clip or print coupons.
We tend to get clothes that could be worn in any season. For instance, my button-down, long sleeve shirts may be a little warm for a summer in the South, but they aren't too bad once you get used to them. Since we try to buy as many clothes than can be worn year-round as possible, we try to obtain them from places like Land's End. They are a little more expensive but they last.
Also, these types of places are constantly running specials, such as 30-40% off + free shipping. And credit card rewards tend to issue gift card for these sites for $40 in rewards -> $50 gift card or at worst $45 -> $50. So using this approach all the winter coats for our kids this year were paid via rewards benefits usage when one of these online retailers ran one of their huge discount weekends, meaning we didn't drop an additional dime on them.
I save on winter clothes by living in Texas and by searching for "new with tags" on ebay. I recently bought a new with tags North Face jacket for 85$ it retails for 186$.
I work with what I already have and fill in the holes (literally). A few of my older sweaters had holes in them when I pulled them out, so I hit up some deals on Black Friday to replace them and then made the old sweaters into sweater pillows. I just need to make some felt flowers to hide the holes and they'll be ready to throw on my bed for some extra warmth this winter.
I buy clothing lots on eBay in a size larger than what my kids need. Lots of stuff - especially if it carries the "name brand" - can be layered and won't look bad if it's too big. My kids get the brands they want, I get two years out of the same item at thrift store discount prices.
Live in San Diego, when it gets cold I put on long pants... maybe a sweatshirt :)
I shop at thrift stores clearance racks and in the off season to save on winter clothes. If I have to have a certain winter item I'll also shop through a rebate site to save more money on my purchase!
Winter in NJ is long and harsh, but not long nor harsh enough to break the bank for warm clothes in the winter. If I shop during the spring and summer, I can usually discover a nice, warm coat and even a handful of sweaters (for layering, hint hint) at a consignment or thrift store without spending more than $50-75/yr. Obviously, exiting the mindset that Columbia, Timberland, or other major name brands are the ONLY options for staying warm has saved me hundreds of dollars.
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My financial goal(s) would be to get out of debt and, save for a trip to Amsterdam in 2012.
My boys wear each other's hand me down snow pants, boots and gloves. I shop the off season (looking for next year's winter coat in February) and I have no problems shopping thrift and consignment stores for winter coats, boots and "dress" clothes for my children (winter is when they need them the most for concerts, recitals, church programs) and I always find gently used items for a fraction of the cost of buying new!
I am looking for directions or pictures of how to make a man's tie into a change holder or cell phone holder. Does anyone have something that would help? I want to make some to sell for a mission project going on in my church.
Thanks!!
I shop in the off season, but it also helps to live in Arizona where you only need a sweatshirt.
I already "like" y'all on FB!
I try to buy winter wear in spring, when it is all on sale. But TBH I haven't bought so much as a scarf in years -- my old stuff is still serviceable enough!
Craigslist and eBay for used Patagonia clothing!
Well luckily I don't have to spend a lot on winter clothes because I live in Southern California. However, if I do need something I usually wait for a really good deal or pick it up as we go into spring.
Easy, I shop sales in the spring and thrift stores in the fall.
I try to buy everything on sale. Keep in mind what you will need and browse sales throughout the year. Be sure to do your research!
We live in Texas so we don't really need too much as far as cold weather gear, but I do try to buy a season ahead when possible.
I like you on Facebook!
I saver money on winter clothes by shopping sales during the holiday season, combining coupons and always buying at the outlets. I never buy anything full price - ever!
My 'tweens are very "status conscious" and really want "name" winter coats. To strike a balance, I try to buy in the off-season.....got my oldest a Spyder coat online for 75% off in early July! The hardest part is planning how much they'll grow.....err on the cautious side and big the bigger size. :-)
I shop and save on winter clothes for the family by using 2 methods. I catch end of season sales and I shop in thrift stores and consignment shops.
Good Will for coats. My kids grow out of winter coats before they wear them out and so do lots of other kids. My kids also wear t-shirts all year long. They just add a hoodie, no sweaters to be bought.