The Abundant Wife

Oliver wearing Caleb's Hand-Me-Downs

Oliver and Naomi dress to impress.  At any given time, Naomi has more clothing in her drawers than I do, and Oliver could go for three weeks without repeating an outfit.  Yet, I have purchased few, if any outfits for either child.  How do we do it?

• Hand-Me-Downs: Many of the clothes Naomi wears are hand-me-downs from her 7-year-old cousin Becca.  Brad’s sister brings the appropriate sizes with her when she comes to visit.  Many of the clothes Oliver wears are hand-me-downs from a little boy named Caleb.  Caleb’s mother Tiffany and I went to high school and church together for many years.

• Yard-Sales: Last October, my mom went to Colorfest and returned with bags of seasonally-appropriate lightly-worn baby boy clothes for about $20.  The man selling them just wanted to be rid of them!

• Gifts: Both grandmothers love to shop, so we give them the more “fun” items to purchase like swimsuits, winter boots, and Easter dresses.  They love to give these gifts for birthdays and holidays, and love seeing the kids wearing them!

How do you save on your children’s clothing costs?

Naomi in Becca's hand-me-downs, Oliver in yard-sale clothes