I think I may have let on by now that I own very few items that are bought new. I love a bargain, what can I say?
Well my favorite time of the year is here... GARAGE SALES! This is the time of the year I find allot of things that can really run up a tab when bought new through the year.
I always keep track of which child needs summer clothes and keep their sizes jotted down. I look for like new items. Shoes, I usually find the kids sandals and swimsuits used. Summer toys too. pools and sprinklers, bikes and roller skates, I always look for these things.
On a bigger note I look for school clothes and back packs. I have all summer, so I hold out for the right style and newest looking clothes I can find. Allot of times I can find most of their clothes for the next year used. I often find their dress shoes used too. I will usually end up buying under garments, socks and sneakers new. That's quite a deal considering the under garments and other new purchases I mentioned add up to about $100.00 for my two children. (that does include supplies). I also look for pencil cases and pencils and any other goodies I run across that are new looking and fall under school supplies.
I like to look for big toys my kids are wishing for and anything close to them. If I luck out and find the item new enough I save it for their birthday or Christmas, which ever is closest. I have found a Nintendo Game boy with a case and several games in the box. That was a great birthday present and unexpected since we normally don't buy such a big present. I have also found allot of games and cars with race tracks in boxes for our son. Radio control cars too. Those usually cost allot new. I have raised my kids this way so they are thrilled if they get the thing they are wishing for new or near new! The little ones don't even know the difference.
Other great buys are Tupperware. I love Tupperware. I will not buy it new though, it costs too much. Too much when I can buy it at the used store or at a garage sale. I just picked up a ten piece set of fridge containers for $5.00. This is a lot of containers that would run more than $50.00 and it is so new looking I would not be surprised if they never used it! Anyways, I also buy our drinking glasses and dishes. (the kids do dishes) We go through allot of glasses. Even at the dollar store you don't pay a quarter a glass.
The trick is to not just buy junk and stuff. Buy what you need. What is on your list of things to buy? Can you find them at a garage sale? If you're like me, the answer is likely yes.
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