Save Your Money (and Keep the Kids Clothed)

Whether you are expecting your first child, already have twelve, or just want to get some nice gifts for your little loved one, you have probably noticed that stuff for kids is EXPENSIVE. Never mind the fact that they usually grow out of their new clothes about 2.3 days before you get around to washing them, or that the new toy they just had to have is already broken (although it's still secured snugly in the box) - kids stuff is overpriced and unfortunately NOT kid-friendly. As a mom of one with another on the way, I've become the epitome of cheap and have found some pretty great ways to save a lot of dough without making my son walk around naked and toy-less. It may take more time than just running up to the closest mall, but definitely worth it in the end.

Here are some of my favorite ways to find great kid stuff without passing out from the shock of the bill:

Garage sales. Okay, sure most people just sell their junk and it seems like a huge waste of time, but trust me, if you do it right, you can really find some great stuff. Personally, I'm not a fan of driving around town, passing 3,450 sales, only to stop at 2. My favorite way to find the sales is this: Online, go to either Craigslist.com and click on "garage sales", or find the website for your local observer. In my state, it's hometownlife.com. Find the sales closest to your home and write the cross streets down. You know your area, so figuring out the best route should be a cinch. Doing this saves tons of random driving time.

Craigslist. If you are anti-garage sales, craigslist is still great. Not only do many people post their garage and yard sales on this site, but they also sell stuff on here, too. Clicking on any of the links such as "free" or "children" will give you a huge list of what's available. You can narrow it down by inputting the maximum amount of $$ you want to spend, if you want to view a picture of the item, or just do a search for something in particular.