What do you do when you stumble on a good deal?

[perfectparanoia]

I am very aware of what my kids have in terms of clothes and what they will be needing in the next few months. For example, my son is going to need pants before the fall. I go through their clothes (and make them try them all on, they hate it) about every three months and get rid of anything that is too small or worn.

So, when I am out and about and see a deal, I know whether the kids need it or not.

If I don't see anything and they need a large quantity of something, I go to Once Upon a Child. Usually, pants can be had for 5 dollars and under for the boy and jeans are under 10 for the girl. I have not seen a shirt that I liked that was more than 5 dollars for either of them there.

Our biggest problem is running shoes. I am constantly looking for deals since they go through a pair a month. If I see one, I will buy a couple of pairs and hope their feet don't grow too much (I still haven't had them grow out of a pair).

As for food, we use certain things all the time. I am very aware of price and if there is a sale, I buy enough to last about 3 months (usually there will be another sale by then).

 

[mickey grandmom]

No matter what it is if it is a great low price and you can use it-buy it. I once heard an economist say when you stock up when prices are extremely low it is like putting money in a savings account.

 

[Angry Eyes]

My rule is; if I couldn't buy the material and make the item for less myself then I would buy it if my kids wear that item. (ironically, I don't know howto make any clothes) That's a great deal, the material, thread, buttons, snaps or even elasttic would cost more than what you paid.

 

[Karalea]

I buy a great deal even if it isn't something I was planning to purchase that day. I only buy things I know will get used or worn within 6 months. Although, if it is a toy I will put it up for Christmas or birthdays no matter how far in advance.

This weekend I went into this new outlet store in town just to kill time until I had to meet family for lunch. The store mainly sells surplus items from Costco. I found ladies capri pants and shorts for $5.99 & $6.99. These were Dockers and Gloria Vanderbilt not some weird brand. I bought 4 pairs. I have bought the same brands at Stein Mart for over $20 each.

Sometimes when you aren't looking for anything special, you stumble upon the best deals.

 

[Pooh2]

Be aware that could change any day. I used to stock up on clothes, but when the kids reach a certain age, they want a say in what they wear.

I have stocked up, then the kids did not want the item when they grew into it. The clothing will make a great donation to a church at Christmas, Easter or back to school time.

My kids are now grown up, I still grab those clearance items to donate to children in need.

 

[tinker&belle]

I will buy ahead the next size for my oldest. The youngest gets all the handme downs, so I just buy for her what she needs when she needs it. Going up more than one size is too much trouble to store and organize, I already have to keep the handme downs organized between the two.

 

[marie1203]

I go for it. It will save you money later .

 

[PaulaSue]

I buy and stockpile if it is somehing I can use later or use for a gift.

 

[AmandaRG]

We always have clothing money in our budget. If we don't need it, we save it. This weekend I found some really cute Gymboree outfits I had been eyeing for 60% or more off, and I had a 20% coupon on top of that. Shorts and shirt for less than the original price of the shirt alone! I got a dress for 70% off, and cannot wait to see the girls in the outfits. Children's Place also had a sale on some things we could use, so I bought them as well. The money is set aside to pay the Disney Visa off when it comes in!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

So glad I am not the only one who grabs these deals! I have always done it, but wondered if I was alone. Guess not!

I am so thankful that my kids aren't picky about clothes. I know that can change any day, but my DD is very individual and does not run with the pack. She also rides horses, so these jeans are great for the barn - even if she doesn't wear them to school.

Hope that my message helped someone else find a great deal at target!

 

[Pinnochio]

I do a little Jig then i i jump on it!!!

 

[kimkoz]

I want to go to Target now and see if I can get some..

Yes, I do buy. I got my son some cotton shorts last year for $1.20ish.. Thought for sure he'd be in them this year and they would be perfect play clothes. Well he doesn't fit into them yet but I'm not worried. That was a great price. 5 pairs for shorts for under $6.. You betcha I'm not mad. Worse case if they don't fit next year I'll donate. It's well worth it.

 

[frannn]

Yesterday at Target, girls jeans were marked down to $2.48. I was not planning on buying girl's jeans, but since they were so cheap, I picked up 1 pair in DD's current size and 3 in the next size up. So I spent $10 on 4 pair of jeans. A great deal, but I was trying not to spend more than I had to (I was replacing curtains and a set of sheets, so I knew I would be spending quite a bit on that).

Do you scoop up deals when you happen upon them? Or leave them if you weren't planning on spending for that item?

I have learned to grab the deals when they appear, because while you can return purchases, once a deal is gone, it is totally gone. Because of your post, I stopped by Target today to see if I could find these jeans. I found some in her size! I'm going to cut down two into capris/shorts, and save the others for fall. I also found a bunch of dog bones, dog sweater, and collars on clearance. Treated myself to a Muppets tee I found (full price ) since it was the last one, and an adorable Minnie tee for DD8. Thanks so much for sharing your great deal!

 

[kcrew]

Boys pants- get them at Sears. They will replace them (same size) if they wear the knees out. I went through 3 rounds one year with my son. (I used to joke he must walk on his knees across sandpaper at school.)

If you get their brand (Canyon River Blues), you don't even need the receipt to exhange. If you get Levis there, you do need to hold onto the slip.

Not sure if they sell socks. I did find one of the brands Target carried wore a little better. (Sorry not sure what it was- not Hanes/FotL...)

"Holey" socks, I can't believe it never occurred to me to buy socks at Sears and exchange them through Kidvantage!!! Too late now, although they are "kids", they all wear men's socks.....I did make a few exchanges over the years on some items, but even with 3 boys and handing down their jeans I don't think I ever had a pair with a hole! (Could have something to do with how many pair they owned.....)

 

[PigletsPal2]

I can't think of any real bargains I've found recently, but about 15 years ago we were shopping at an outlet mall where DD#2 found Etienne Aigner burgundy leather cosmetics bags for $5. She bought them all, filled them with travel-sized cosmetics and finished her "friends" Christmas list in one fell swoop! Every single bag is still in use, 15 years later! Excellent value.

Queen Colleen

 

[21hearts]

If I see a good deal and I know we need it or will use it then I'll buy it.

 

[mrssmith06]

Yes. I am a sucker for buying stuff while it's marked down if it's something I know we will need. I tend to buy winter clothes in the spring and summer clothes in the fall while it's on clearance!

 

[mom2t]

Yesterday at Target, girls jeans were marked down to $2.48. I was not planning on buying girl's jeans, but since they were so cheap, I picked up 1 pair in DD's current size and 3 in the next size up. So I spent $10 on 4 pair of jeans. A great deal, but I was trying not to spend more than I had to (I was replacing curtains and a set of sheets, so I knew I would be spending quite a bit on that).

Do you scoop up deals when you happen upon them? Or leave them if you weren't planning on spending for that item?

Only way I shop!

 

[Zhoen]

DD7 is sitting here next to me in an adorable $4 outfit I bought her yesterday. I don't usually buy NWT (it's more in line with our beliefs to "recycle" used clothing... but it was so cute and such a good deal, I had to.) If it will get used, I buy it. We don't hoard, but I do have 4 "like" bottles of shampoo in teh cabinet downstairs, simply because they were $1.87 at the Bath and Body Works sale and I bought enough to get me up over the $40 mark so I could use my $10 coupon... if I end up not using it, it goes to charity. We have a wonderful family shelter near here, so I know things with get used in the end.

Like the others said, enjoy it... better to "waste" an extra pair of $3 jeans in the long run than to have to pay $18/pair when you're in dire need... (And here's a thought... yesterday I saw a pair of "Southpole" brand CHILDREN'S jeans labeled for $60! I was at a discount store, so they were "only" $36, then 50% off that... so the "SALE" price on those was $18... and I doubt they were any better than your Target jeans, just made in a different foreign factory and decorated with a different label.

 

[mombrontrent]

I used to do this ALOT with clothes. I got some amazing deals. Now my older two only want certain brands or styles so I don't shop ahead of time because what they like today might be totally different in 6 months. Just a few months ago my DD9 asked me to buy her a couple dresses so I did. She wore them each twice and now refuses to wear a dress Plus this same DD wore the same size for a good 3 years and if I bought something in a size up by the time it fit her it just wasn't something she liked anymore. I also realized never to buy anything when they are not with me unless I'm willing to return it since they usually don't like what I've picked out or would rather choose their own clothes. Now my youngest DD will NOT wear anything but dresses and the dress has to "spin". This has been going on for almost 3 years, so any shorts, pants, t-shirts ect. that I have bought her over the time all sit in her closet with the price tag still on them, or my niece gets some nice hand-me-downs However if I see a great deal on paper towels or laundry detergent I might grab a bunch (3-5).