Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Go Green--Shop Consignment







I first started shopping consignment stores and sales for my sons’ clothes out of necessity—I had quit my job to stay home with Ethan when he was 1 year old, and I needed to cut costs any way I could. But after shopping sales a few times, I began to appreciate the “green” benefits of buying used clothes as well. Instead of buying children’s clothes at the big box stores, which is all I could afford, I could buy name-brand clothes, like The Gap and Hannah Anderson, at a third of the price. Plus, I started to feel good about giving these clothes a new life, especially since toddlers outgrow their clothes before they wear them out.
Six years later, I’m still shopping consignment stores and sales for my sons’ clothes. Last week, my favorite consignment store—Childish Things in Boulder—had a sale. Like all things Boulder, this store’s goods are overpriced, which is why I wait to go until it has its $1 sale a few times a year. Then I can find some great deals—like this Tommy Hilfiger sweater vest for $1.

While shopping consignment shops is more tedious than hitting the mall, the thrill of getting a great deal makes up for it. This last trip, I hit the jackpot when I found this never-worn ski jacket on the 60% off rack--$35. Maybe this jacket will motivate Terry and I to get Ethan on the Colorado slopes next ski season.

My Thrifty Green Thursday Tip is to give consignment stores, or sales like JBF, a chance. Click here for more tips.

8 comments:

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

For clothes shopping I like consignment over thrift if I don't have a lot of time to dig through the trash to get to the treasures. I think the slightly higher prices are worth it because I can buy something that's in style, in good condition, and name brand/well made more easily.

bernthis said...

my sister gives her daughter's clothes to my daughter. When my daughter is done with them (some of which she never wears) we give them to our neighbor whose daughter is 2 years younger than my kid. I could not agree with you more. It is a great way to cut back on the carbon imprint

Maude Lynn said...

Twice a year, there is a Just Between Friends consignment sale in my town. I go religiously. It is so much fun finding all of the bargains.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

I have been itching to get into a thrift store, but have yet to find the time. I'm on the hunt for ornate frames that I can spray paint!!

Joy said...

Honestly, I get a bizarre thrill from shopping second hand. It truly is like treasure hunting and it makes me feel happy every time I see my son decked out in his thrift store garments, looking rather dapper for just a few dollars total. I agree that it allows me to buy more attractive and higher quality items than I'd ever be able to afford new!

Thanks for your consistently helpful Thrifty Green Thursday posts!

suzannah | the smitten word said...

great finds! there is only one consignment shop near me, and in addition to being crowded and hard to navigate, their prices are crazy-expensive. thankfully, we've received generous hand-me-downs, so we don't need anything yet.

Tiffany said...

We have a local consignment store that I shop all of the time for the girls. I have given up on shopping there for myself because I rarley find somethimg - or it might not fit great but I take it home and I end up not wearing it.

Rebecca said...

I, too, love to shop at consignment stores for my daughter's clothes. I have found it to be a little more challenging now that she's older. There is a huge glut of baby clothes, but the good clothes for older kids are harder to come by.

Thanks for the TGT tip!