We are a family of 5. My husband and I both have professional jobs, and have to wear dress clothes. I have 3 growing kiddos as well. But this year we have decided we will not purchase any "new" clothes.
We really have been trying to do this for the past several years, but this year we have officially made it a goal.
Clarification: we will not purchase new clothes, or at least not from a retail location. I say that because sometimes I find things new with a tag at flea markets or yard sales.
Our clothing this year will come from places like Goodwill, yard sales, possibly Ebay if we can't find it other places, or our children's consignmen sale we have twice per year Rhea Lana's.
Exceptions will be things like underwear. Although when the girls were little I found little girl panties at a yard sale for a NICKEL a peice and bought about 20 pairs. Got us threw potty training quite well.
We decided to do this for 2 main reasons:
1) to teach the kids that we are to be good stewards of the money we have been blessed with. I just can NOT justify spending $120 on a pair of jeans when I can get a vry nice pair for $4 at Goodwill and when that extra $116 I saved would be much better spent on a whole slough of other endeavors including things like mission work, community projects, or even put into our kids educational accounts. You can hate me, you can curse me, but travel the world a bit and that label on your butt that cost you $120 would be a month or more pay for people in other parts of the world.
2) To not contribute to the consumerism that kids now days are exposed to. We want our kids to understand what makes you happy. ( It's not leather boots folks, and if it is, you need help). We are really trying to focus on what it means to be happy, content and have a thankful heart.
I have a post coming up titled " No thank you Joneses" which is very similiar to this thead.
I also have a post coming up about our first Goodwill trip of the year and the amazing things we found for extremely cheap.
I would love to have more you folks on board. Anyone else willing to take the challenge???
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I am right there with you! Though we are both retired we are trying our best to live a simple, frugal life here on our tiny homestead. Socks and underwear are the only new clothing we purchase. Thrift store finds are what you will see in our closet and drawers.
ReplyDeleteAnd underwear is so expensive! It's always a very sad day when I have to buy underwear and socks from the store.... :) Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi Rachel! There is NO WAY I'd pay that much for jeans! It's a little late for me to do that with my son, who is 17. He's an only child, and unfortunately, spoiled! I don't spend extravagantly on him, though, just basics. He does have a pair of boots that he loves to wear that were quite expensive, but they should last him a very long time. I try to find the balance with him. At least he has a Trac-fone, instead of an I-phone! For me, most of my clothes come from WM and thrift stores. I have no problem with 'previously worn' clothing and purses! Enjoying these posts! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, there are some things that are worth paying more for. If you know they are quality items that will last and that you wear often, then it's a good idea to pay a bit more for them. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt's a great challenge. I hate shopping for clothing. Problem is, I don't like thrift stores when they are so crowded and unorganized. I really need to find a decent one I don't stress out in. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you blogged about this. I need to get clothes for my son. He is growing so fast and there is no one for hand me downs.
Agreed! That's why we drive to the next closest town to ours to go to the thrift store we like. It's a longer trip but it is so clean, so organized and everything is very well put together. Certainly worth the extra time if you can find a store that you like.
DeleteI can't remember when the last time I bought more than a hat in a retail store. It's hard to pay full prices when you can get good things at GoodWill or Salvation Army.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy anywhere but thrift after finding a gem of a shop with a fantastic selection and prices that can't be beat! So, count us in! It's much more fun shopping at thrift stores anyway, the thrill of the hunt and all...
ReplyDeleteAwesome Daisy! Once you find a good shop that is all it takes!
DeleteWe have been doing something along this line for a while now...in fact, I try not to buy anything new at all until all avenues are exhausted (I waited 7 months to replace my tea kettle until I could find the one I wanted at a garage sale). I do still have a problem finding pants in good condition at the goodwill for my sons. Boys just seem to wear them out before they grow out of them, so boys' pants we still buy new. Also, winter coats...I have never ever found a good winter coat, especially the snow pants, in good condition second hand, so we still buy that new as well. Shirts, sweaters, BOOKS, linens, dishes...all great things to buy second hand. Plus just think of all the items we are keeping out of landfills.
ReplyDeleteMy girls don't like wearing jeans, so that isn't a problem yet... however I have heard from all my friends that boys are so much tougher on jeans. We'll see how that works out. And we rarely get snow here, so snow pants and heavy jackets aren't an issue really. Thansk so much for stopping by!
DeleteI am glad that I found your blog from a link and I am your newest follower :) My husband and I stopped buying new clothes but we keep getting presents from my parents. I asked if it was a message about how I dressed now but my parents assure me that they think that it is just being nice. My mom offers everytime she comes to visit to take me on a shopping spree which I always tell her I don't need. Not sure how to get the message more clearly across but I don't need any new clothes :) This is a great goal for the year.
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