Tell us Tuesday is a weekly question and answer feature… I throw out a question on a frugal topic, and you answer! Feel free to leave any links to posts that you’ve written in the topic in your comments.
A few months ago, a friend of mine said something very brave:
I’m thinking of not buying any new clothes in 2010.
Which got me wondering if I could do the same thing?
I’d like to think that I could, but I don’t think it’s possible. I already know for example, that I’m going to need some new tee shirts and a pair of sandals for summer. My kids are going to need a few new things as well, mostly tee shirts and shorts. The good thing is that I know this in advance and so I’m already on the hunt for good deals! I’ve decided instead, to really try and think about what I’m buying, with no more impulse buys!
I’m not too worried about this (unlike other areas of my budget!) as I think I already have a pretty good handle on my wardrobe.
What’s your clothes buying strategy for 2010?
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{ 17 comments }
One of my goals for 2010 was to not buy any new clothesfor myself as much as possible. Honestly, I don’t forsee me really needing anything, but if I do, I am going to try to get it at the thrift store, or a yard sale. I’ll try it with my kids, but my oldest is growing out of her 4T winter clothing and it is only Jan. I have been looking at Salv. army and I can’t seem to find too much for her that looks relatively decent. I’ll keep looking, but I might have to check out the end of season clearance sales.
.-= Kristia@Family Balance Sheet´s last blog ..How To Roast A Chicken =-.
I buy on sale or clearance and I buy out of season a lot of times. I also buy very classic/basic pieces with maybe 1 fun/trendy piece per season. Just 2 weeks ago I bought a pair of summer shoes which will be great with skirts or capris. They were on clearance for $12 from $40. Well worth it in my book.
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..little bowl of sunshine =-.
My goal is to not add any clothes in 2010: if I buy something new, something old must go.
I have certain sales and stores that I always target for my clothes. Knowing that I can do better on a price prevents me from going for most impulse buys.
.-= Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog´s last blog ..Ten Party Project #1 =-.
I admit that this is one area where I’m not as frugal as I could be. I don’t like wearing the same thing over and over. However, I do shop well. I almost always buy on sale, out of season and used. The one big expense is jeans and that’s because I know I spend less in the long run if I get a great pair of pricey jeans than if I try to find frugal jeans that fit.
My 2010 goal is to re-use all of the items I don’t wear – turning them into tote bags and other things with sewing and fabric crochet.
Kelly,
Well we really are on the same page, as well as having the same name! Last year 2 friends & I gave up buying anything new for 3 months. (self maintenance & household products excluded). It was not that hard & felt great! It even slowed us down after the 90 days were up. I have been considering going on an “apparel diet” for 2010. Haven’t said it out loud yet..Guess I just did! Wanna do it too? Nothing new…for a whole year?! I was worried about bathing suits..and low & behold while dropping off at my local thrift store yesterday what did they just get in but a box of overstock, yes you guessed, it swimsuits. I got 3 for $8. (still had that adhesive paper on the bottoms even!). So that coupled with this question coming today…well, I think it is an omen and I am going to do it! Anybody else in for it? If you are remember to check out http://www.GreenSnail.org for kids consigned clothing!
Last year I think I bought 2, maybe 3 new things. That’s new-new. This year, I might have to buy a new bra sometime. Most of the time we only buy used clothing and shoes from the local thrift and consignment shops.
.-= Summer´s last blog ..10 Green Things =-.
I’ve tried this before and not done so well, but this year I’m going to try to be more diligent about keeping a clothes expense for tax purposes to see what can be written off.
My clothing budget is minimal – I will spend less than $50 on clothes in 2010. Tomorrow I will be posting specifics on how I keep my clothing budget so small on my blog.
By and large, I don’t buy clothes unless I need them. I slip, sometimes. For example, at some after-Christmas sales, I found myself checking out women’s clearance apparel at Macy’s despite my better judgment. And I spent $60 as a consequence.
Mostly, though, I buy clothes when the ones I have don’t fit. I’m hoping that next time I have to buy clothes, it will be because my old ones are too baggy. but I suppose that’s a common goal among women.
.-= Abigail´s last blog ..Is the new Domino’s deal worth it? =-.
Great post. I think I’m going to use up my fabric stash and get sewing.
I joined the Compact for 2010, so there won’t be any “new” clothes for me. I’ll depend on the classic, well-made staples already in my wardrobe and will update with finds from thrift and consignment shops.
If buying nothing new for a whole year is too much, starting with clothes is a good place to start. I think clothes are the easiest thing to find used.
Good for you!
.-= Kayla K at Kayla K’s Thrifty Ways´s last blog ..10 Uses for Yogurt Containers =-.
It is amazing what you can find at the second hand shops. I have completly outfitted my work closet and most of my play clothes from thrift stores. I do mean name brands, Eddie Bauer, Gap, Woolrich,J Jill, Harve Bernard,Life is good, just to name a few Brands. I have even found Nike sneakers in great shape for $3.00
My kids will wear clothes from there as well, but my 10 year old girl did ask Santa for clothes from mall stores this Christmas. While the kids were little I would stock pile totes of the sizes they would need next. What did not work I could either donate or sell in a rummage sale. I also will exchange with friends that have kids in a similar size as mine. We go in with the understanding that nothing torn or stained will be in the collection.
I allow myself an hour every 2 weeks or so to shop the second hand stores. It is amazing whaat you will find.
A couple of years ago I spent a year not buying anything new. It was a learning experience–when I needed clothes, I waited and searched at thrift shops and some ‘wear it again’ type places. Last winter, DH and I purchased a few clothing items on sale because we knew we were moving to a colder, more expensive climate. The only clothing items I have purchased since were some bras and underwear–but that was out of desperate need–I was down to one, rickety old bra, I was afraid it was going to self-destruct–then where would I be? I should be set in terms of underclothes for a few years now.
.-= Simple in France´s last blog ..A cozy home, a simple home and moving-again! =-.
My strategy is to most of my clothing for my business. When you buy clothing for your business, and put a label on it with your logo, it’s considered a uniform, and therefore a tax deduction. Obviously, this won’t work on underwear, but on most clothing items it will. In addition, I plan on continuing to shop at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and JCPenny. I am even considering Wal Mart.
.-= Aspiring Millionaire @ MyMillionairePlan.com´s last blog ..2010 Budget Revised =-.
I am going to have to buy new clothes this year. We just moved to a completely different climate. Not only do I need clothes for nine months of the year but my entire family does too. We normally only had summer in Florida, Indiana is a bit colder.
.-= Elizabeth´s last blog ..My Non Menu Plan Monday =-.
Hi! I recently decided to get smart about buying clothes this year. I have 3 kids, all of whom grow rapidly, since they are little kids still ( 2, 3, and 6). This year, I am going to get one of our big, empty, plastic tubs out of our basement (for each kid) , and label it for that child, plus “fall/winter 2010” and “spring/summer 2011”. Then, I am going to shop both second hand shops, and regular “cheap-er” stores (like Walmart and Kmart, etc.) for marked down clothes that they are trying to get rid of for the next season’s stuff. I have already bought several shirts for two of my kids at Kmart for around 2 dollars apiece, that are the next size up for next fall/winter. If I happen upon say, shoes that are on deep discount, and they have the next 2 or 3 sizes for my older son or daughter, then I will buy those next 3 sizes up, and store them in corresponding tubs. Then, when Fall & Winter of this year come around, I’ll go to that tub, and voila! All the clothes they need for the season! Hopefully…… 😉
I have a very bad impulse buying problem lol. For 2010 I am trying to leave my cards and cash at home lol