Saving Money: Swaping Kids Clothes!

One thing all parents have to deal with is how FAST our kids out grow their clothes! When they are born it's every 3 -6 months once they reach toddler year about once a year! That means buying a whole new wardrobe once a year, winter and summer clothes, shoes, coats, swim wear. That can get expensive!

So here is a way to cut down that cost! SWAP KIDS CLOTHES! You can do this a variety of ways.

First if you have friends who have kids a size smaller or bigger then your kids you can start a trading circle. When you kids out grow their clothes you can give them to person X and when person Y's kids out grow their stuff you can give it to them.

You can also check out community centers. My local community centers does a clothes swap twice a year. They have families bring in all their clothes they don't want. they sort them buy size and type (boys or girls) then they have a 2 or 3 day span where you can come and pick what you want all free. What ever is left over is then donated (they even have adult clothes at the swap!!)

Now if you don't have many friends with kids in your size range and want a easier way to swap you can do this online too all you have to pay is shipping of the box. (and the boxes are provided to you FREE!) These free sites are easy to use and work like this: You list a box (one size of clothes per box) of girls or boys clothes and then you post details on colors and brands. You can then pick from other boxes on the site and you just pay shipping to have them sent. When someone picks your boxes you receive the money to have them shipped. The boxes are all Flat Rate boxes so price is the same.

Here are 2 sites that help you swap kids clothes:

Out Growing In and ThredUp

Both site are run with the same idea they just have some difference with listing and Thred Up has golden boxes you can pick from if you are a Premium member that are from sponsors and are all new clothes or toys. These sites are free to sign up for so if you aren't already a member i suggest signing up and taking a look around.

Also check out Freecycle.org most of the time the clothes posted her are in the best shape but will make great play clothes for crafts and out door activities.