Buying children cheap items

[MrsPete]

For tennis shoes or every day shoes, I get the kids (and myself) good shoes. For church shoes for the kids or shoes they don't wear often, they get Walmart shoes. I don't shop by labels, I shop for shoes that fit. For trendy items, I don't buy expensive things because they are only in style for a short time. For classic things, I don't mind spending more if it is going to be around for a long time. I have some expensive sweaters that I have worn for years that are still in great shape because I take care of them. I rarely pay full price for anything though.

Wow. Did I write this? It sums up my opinion exactly.

Since I'm a teacher, I always buy good shoes -- I stand up literally all day long, so it's a must. I also buy good everyday shoes for my kids. However, I do skimp on church shoes that're going to be worn once a week for one season, then outgrown.

Since I have two daughters, I do splurge on coats (which are rarely worn out here in the South), jeans, and other things I hope will last for the second daughter. I do not buy Walmart /Target clothes since they tend to look bad after 2-3 washings, and that's no value in the long run. I'd rather buy good things on ebay /consignment shops than cheap stuff.

 

[mickeymousemom]

I always get my girls ONE good pair of tennis shoes for school. They each just got a pair of Nikes over the weekend. Finish Line had BOGO50%(and every pair we got was on sale besides) so we all got shoes...I bought my 2nd pair of Nike flip flops for $7.50, and got my DD16 a pair too. These are the kind of sales I take advantage of. If they want any more name brand tennis shoes, then they have to use Christmas money, birthday money, etc. They wear ALOT of name brand stuff, but I'm the queen of clearance sales and thrift "boutiques". We have a really nice 2nd hand store close by with tons of name brand junior clothing(DD12 got a pair of cool capris from Aeropostle with the tags still on for $6). I don't buy used stuff unless it's in excellent condition, so for being a family of 5 with one income, they dress fairly well.

 

[Raysplus1]

I found out the hard way not to buy cheap socks. I forgot to pack them on a trip and went and bought the cheapest package of socks. I could only wear them 1 time. When I took my shoes off I had holes in the toes. Never again.

 

[CEDmom]

I won't buy DD cheap shoes either because she has narrow feet and has to be properly fitted. I also won't scrimp on things like a bike or safety gear.

 

[Beth76]

I only buy Pampers Cruisers. But, I buy cheap Target and Payless shoes for my kids. I've never had a problem and most shoes have been worn by both of my sons. I did buy a pair of Crocs for double what I normally pay for shoes for my son. The first pair broke after a month. Crocs replaced them and they broke again (different spot) 3 weeks later.

 

[aprilgail2]

I won't put cheap shoes on my daughter, my mom did to me when I was little andI have all kinds of feet problems now. She only gets stride rite shoes, its not to bad though since she has been a kids size 11 for over a year now. I do buy a good winter coat but she normally has 3-4 winter coats during ther season to switch on and off from, she gets her cousins old winter coats too but they only buy good ones for her so it works out well!

 

[va32h]

My kids wear uniforms to school, so no issues there with quality - it's all the same. For play clothes, I shop at Target, Kohl's, Penney's. They are too young to care about brand names, and grow out of things before they wear out.

Same with shoes.

My daughter ice skates, though, and I pay a ridiculous amount of money for her competitive-level skates and blades.

I prefer Crayola art products, and Fisher Price toys because I think they are of superior quality to "generic" brands.

 

[katerkat]

Russ only wears Mickey shoes. Although I did just buy him a pair of Donalds.

 

[babytrees]

I got tired of replacing backpacks this year so I went with brand names....we'll see how long these last...if they last the entire year I will be thrilled!! 2 years and I'll be ecstatic!!

I buy Kleenex, Crayola and a few other housewares that there is just no competing with the no names!!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

shoes and basic pieces of clothing like jeans and coats.
Formula

 

[ducklite]

I got tired of replacing backpacks this year so I went with brand names....we'll see how long these last...if they last the entire year I will be thrilled!! 2 years and I'll be ecstatic!!

I buy Kleenex, Crayola and a few other housewares that there is just no competing with the no names!!

I used to buy DS cheapie backpacks, and when he enteres junior high I said "enough!" I bought him a Jansport that he had for about three years. Then I bought him an LL Bean as he was entering 9th grade, he's long graduated now, but still uses that LL Bean as a carryon when he travels.

Now I"m kicking myself for not having just bough one LL Bean when he was entering junior high and been done with it forever.

Anne

 

[froglady]

My children rarely wear shoes in the house, so until they started doing sports which required better footwear, I always bought inexpensive shoes for them. They tended to outgrow them before wearing them out. No foot problems except for DD having ugly feet due to ballet pointe shoes.

DS has to wear "dress" shoes once a week, and any time he wears long pants, so he also has Bass dress shoes. (The uniform pants are khaki)

I'm also an expensive sock wearer, and buy quality walking shoes. I only wear one specific brand of bra...you ladies of "size" will understand.

 

[MushyMushy]

I still do cheapie backpacks for DD because she likes to change every year. Some years it's Barbie, some years it's the princesses, another year it was a messenger bag, last year it was a sling backpack, this year it's a wheelie backpack. There's no sense in putting a lot of money into hers.

DS, I would just buy him an Eastpak backpack because of their lifetime guarantee. When I worked in a college bookstore, we only sold Jansport and Eastpak and I know the Eastpaks held up really well and they stood behind their guarantee.

 

[belle&beast]

I buy Stride Rite shoes for my kids because they both have wide feet and are hard to fit. Luckily we have an awesome outlet mall about 40 minutes away, so it is worth the trip. I buy Target brands for play clothes, but we are able to buy name brands for a good price with the outlet mall. DD is very picky about how things "feel" so less expensive fabrics bother her. She just turned 5, so she has no idea about cost of clothing, but if it doesn't feel right, forget it!

I am a bit of a jewelry snob, I think. My sister is a gemologist and jewelry designer, so I get a great deal, but I don't buy anything that isn't real gold or silver. I'm not so picky about gemstones, but my skin reacts if it is not real- especially with earrings.

 

[aprilgail2]

I still do cheapie backpacks for DD because she likes to change every year. Some years it's Barbie, some years it's the princesses, another year it was a messenger bag, last year it was a sling backpack, this year it's a wheelie backpack. There's no sense in putting a lot of money into hers.

Same here..a new backpack comes with all the new school clothes, the last day of school I just toss the old one in the trash along with the lunch box. One year was Princesses, last year it was a backpack with wheels. This year its a mesenger bag. They get so dirty from the bus stop and bus that it would just be icky keeping it for more than one season.
We buy cheap ones anyway, usually 29.99 or under for the backpacks.

 

[barkley]

i dunno-maybe my kids are realy easygoing on their clothes, but i've never had any problems with the stuff i've gotten at walmart for them. the hanes brand sweats are outgrown long before they show any indication of wear, the white stagg line of stuff lasts forever (dd wanted some baggy/comfortable pants 2 years ago and i grabbed the smallest size petite women's drawstring capris for her-at that point they were long enough to be worn as pants, now she's taller and they look like capris on her but are still in great shape).

as far as shoes go-i look for comfort and durability-this year is the first i've bought brand name for them (sketchers), but the no-name tennis shoes i've bought them at payless have always managed to get an entire school year's wear unless they've outgrown them.

back in the day when i had to buy diapers i initialy only went with a brand name until in need one night i grabbed a small package of one store's generic brand. they were much better than the brand name so i never switched back.

backpacks-i've always bought the generic walmart or target brands, and with the exception of maybe having a strap rip which i've quickly sewed they always get replaced due to choice vs. wearing out.

about the only items i go totaly by brand name on are some personal care-i only use puffs brand tissues, brand name advil or tylenol, and some specific 'ladies' products. on the other hand i never buy charmin because an issue i long suspected with the product that was confirmed by my obgyn.

 

[MushyMushy]

about the only items i go totaly by brand name on are some personal care-i only use puffs brand tissues, brand name advil or tylenol, and some specific 'ladies' products. on the other hand i never buy charmin because an issue i long suspected with the product that was confirmed by my obgyn.

What? The lint it leaves behind?

 

[Ready to go in Ok]

This is too funny about the shoes. I too only buy my kids name brand shoes. They last longer, and are better on their feet. However, DD12, who is our fashion maven just got a pair at Wal Mart! She thought they were cute, and I kind of looked at them like buying a pair of flip flops. She has a million pairs of those, and it doesn't matter where they come from. So I guess only athletic shoes are the ones I am concerned about. I won't buy cheap canned vegetables. I know that to some people there is no difference, but psychological or not, I taste a difference. Same with off brand soda's.

 

[barkley]

What? The lint it leaves behind?

some chemical used in production to make it 'pillowy soft' and the scent-can cause uti's.

 

[Kahana-ri]

I won't buy DS cheap diapers. I am a true pampers snob. I learned the hard way when I tried to save a buck.
DH loves to buy DS VANS. Probably just so they can match.