Shop, Size and Stash: Three Rules to Clothe Kids on a Budget

This the third a series of articles for new moms.  In , we discussed where to find deals on diapers. In Week 2, we discussed deals on food (breastpumps, bottles, formula and baby food).

This final article of the series is all about clothing, because babies are born naked, but it's simply indecent to make them stay that way.

When I was a kid, my mom always had new clothes stored away for us in the attic that were retrieved when the size and season were right.  Shopping the end of season sales saves substantial money, as a T-shirt in early June can cost $15, whereas in late July or August you can buy it for under $5.

Savings of greater than 75 percent are not uncommon, if you follow my 3S rules:

1. Shop end-of-season sales
2. Size up for growing kids
3. Stash clothes away for the right size and season

While you can store clothes anywhere you have space, my husband and I purchased our toddler a captain’s bed with deep storage drawers underneath.  I tuck out-of season clothes in there for her and we’re always ready when the thermometer changes.

Two local options that I like for kids clothing deals are Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory, both on Route 46. They offer a wide variety of clothing, including name brands. These are self-standing stores, so you can get in and get out of them without the distractions of the mall.

Marshall’s in Parsippany is fairly well-organized, but it’s a cramped store that is nearly impossible to navigate with a full-sized stroller.The store carts are small, so leave big diaper bags or purses at home and downsize for this trip.

Burlington in Pine Brook, just outside of the Parsippany Route 46 border, is a much larger store.  Unfortunately, it is very poorly organized, and if you’re not a person who likes the thrill of the hunt, it can be frustrating. Inventory seems to linger until it gets purchased, which can result in some serious deals, as lower sale tags are placed on top of older tags. But, the downside is that this results in out-of-season clothing merging with current items. For instance, in the toddler girls’ clearance racks this past Saturday, a bathing suit, fall jacket, winter sweater and t-shirt were aligned together.

Since both stores' regular prices tend to be very good, clearance prices at both Marshall’s and Burlington can be awesome.  I’m including some of my recent finds below, as I’m beginning my end-of-summer scouring for next year’s summer wardrobe.

Marshall's - Deals purchased Saturday

 Burlington - Deals purchased Saturday

Here are some printable coupons to pair with summer clothing clearance deals (I'll be at JC Penney in Willowbrook this weekend, with the coupon below!):

Aeropostale: $10 off jeans valid through 7/31
Fashion Bug: $10 off $20 or more valid 7/24 – 7/27
JC Penney: HOT! $10 off $25, valid 7/29 – 7/30
Sears: 15 percent off clothing, valid 7/24 – 7/30