How to Shop for Clothing Bargains

Finding it difficult to make ends meet? Do you and your family need clothing, but even prices at the local department stores seem too pricey? There are other ways to find what your family needs. You can find bargains in clothing at such places as consignment clothing boutiques, Goodwill and Salvation Army stores.

When money is tight or even when it isn't, to make the best use of both time and money--plan. If you are seeking to get your financial affairs in order, check out my Associated Content article "How to Find Financial Freedom." Seeking bargains is one way to help your finances.

Before you go shopping for bargains, look through the closets, talk to family members, figure out exactly what is needed. A trip through closets and drawers might reveal you or other family members may not need as much as first thought.

Make a list, not of wants, but of needs. Will the budget stretch enough for the purchases? If not, look through those closets again and sell those clothing and other items not needed. Sell on ebay, Craigslist or at a garage sale.

Armed with a budget and a list, decide where you can shop for the biggest bargains for your budget shopping expedition. There are several possibilities. Check stores like K-Mart, Target and Wal-Mart for clearance sales. Some of these can offer amazing discounts. You can also check out online bargain shopping sites.

Check out local consignment clothing stores. These boutiques offer not only bargains, but often a wonderful budget shopping experience as well.

Budget shopping can be fun. When our children were still at home, my friend and I made a point to check out the local Goodwill at least twice a year-Spring and Fall. Though our husband's had good jobs, with children to raise, money was always tight. Besides, we had a blast finding not only bargains at the local Goodwill, but items from high-end stores we could never have otherwise afforded. Now, my daughter and I, even my husband, go budget shopping for bargains at an upscale Goodwill in the city where my daughter lives. I even found a designer purse with the designer's tag still attached!

What many do not know is that Goodwill stores are clean, the clothing in good repair and the prices a bargain-often for clothing that has never been worn. At times, we'd find tags still attached. Not only do people bring in clothing they can not use to Goodwill, but stores, too, bring in clothing, that for one reason or another, has not sold.

Salvation Army stores are another possibility for those looking for even bigger bargains, though these clothes haven't always been given the same attention as those offered by Goodwill stores. Don't forget garage sales when budget shopping for bargains. Spring and Summer is the time to check out garage sales. Where I live, garage sales are huge. Each year my friend and I used to schedule a Saturday to check out garage sales together. Talk about a fun, budget shopping spree.

But shopping garage sales takes an extra step in planning-the newspaper. Check out the garage sales in the local newspaper. Which ones look like they will work into your schedule and that will most likely be selling items on your list? The earlier you go, the more likely you'll find what you're looking for and before everything is picked over.

Where a garage sale is held makes a difference in not only what is charged for the clothing, but also the condition. The higher income area, the more upscale the clothing. Remember, with garage sales, you can bargain. Like something, but not the price? See if the owner will take less.

Do remember that all used clothing should be cleaned before being worn.

Budget shopping for used clothing is fun, especially when you discover extraordinary finds. With your savings you might be able to add a scarf and belt or two to complete a new outfit. On top of all the other benefits of budget shopping for bargains is that you are also be green by recycling.