Shopping for kids can be a delightful experience. Not only does it involve buying items that will make them happy, but it can also be a great opportunity to bond. However, it is also a great challenge – they might not like the clothes bought for them, and even if they do, after some time they will simply outgrow them.
It goes without saying that kids are very expensive, and even the soundest financial planning can go awry when one has to consider the costs of child care, food, clothing and other necessary items.
In order to spend money wisely, here are some tips to help get more bang for those hard-earned buck, including finding high-quality items from low-end brands, hunting for discounts and coupons, and shopping out of season, among others. Here’s how to stay on top of the budget when shopping for kids.
Hunt for discounts and coupons
Shoppers are often surprised by how much money they can save by hunting for discounts and coupons. Nowadays, most of the popular brands have loyalty programs that offer discounts on purchases. It’s also possible to find coupons in local newspapers, magazines and even on the Internet.
Some stores offer coupons on their official websites, while others send them in newsletters or post them on their official Facebook pages.
Buy high-quality items from low-end brands
It is a common misconception that in order to get quality items, one must aim for higher-tier brands. This cannot be further from the truth – shoppers can both pay lots of money for a brand name or get it cheaper but of much better quality from a lower-end brand.
So, instead of shopping for logos, it’s always worth doing some research and looking for items that offer the most value. If a kid needs some new t-shirts, looking for organic cotton ones at a local store is a good idea. School supplies? Go for those that will last from one school year to the next.
Shop out of season
Children’s items are seasonal, which means they get large discounts at the season’s end. This is where costs can be cut significantly. Sure, it will require some proper planning at times, but the results can be well worth it.
For example, one can get a larger sized winter coat for a kid late in February or March. It won’t be much use by then, but by the time the second winter comes around, it will fit perfectly. It’s just worth making sure the size can be predicted well, depending on the product – a little loose sweater won’t be an issue, while shoes that are a little too big will be a problem.
Buy second-hand items
Does anyone really need that latest backpack for their child? Maybe there’s a plan to buy them a new bike, but it’s not really affordable. Instead of buying brand-new items that may not be used for years, it’s always a great idea to look for second-hand items.
One can save a great deal of money by doing so and make sure a child will get exactly what they want. The Internet is full of classifieds and online auctions where it’s easy to find used items at incredibly low prices.
What’s more, many people are now aware of how fast kids grow and how much of a waste it is to buy them expensive items that they will outgrow in just a year or even months. Hence why they lean more towards handing unused clothes to younger parents in their communities.
Be a smart shopper
On top of all that, it’s necessary to be a smart shopper. And this doesn’t only mean knowing where and when to shop for specific items – it’s also important to be able to tell which items are actually needed.
While it’s probably not possible to cut down much on food and other necessary items, a lot of money can be saved by minimising the number of clothes and toys bought. Just because a child wants something doesn’t mean they need it – and the earlier they learn this, the better.
Final thoughts
So, these are some tips that will help with staying on budget when shopping for kids. By following them, shoppers can get more bang for their buck and make sure their child always has what they need without breaking the bank.
Being a smart shopper, buying high-quality items from low-end brands, and shopping out of season can make a huge difference with saving the most money. And finally, bargain hunters shouldn’t forget to hunt for discounts and coupons – they can help slash costs significantly.
