Do you have baby clothes and baby gear coming out your ears? I personally have to maneuver a labyrinth of plastic bins and precariously stacked toys to get though my garage. Are you ready to get rid of some or all of your gently used items, but reluctant to toss or give them away?
Maybe you are the polar opposite and live clutter-free, but have just discovered 3 days after Christmas that you need a whole new set of toddler clothes because your child hit a growth spurt and went from a 2T to a 3T overnight?
Maybe, like me, you are just a shopaholic and need a more economical way to continue your habit? Whatever your shopping conundrum, resale and consignments may be for you!
I’ll admit I was reluctant at first. When I was pregnant I wanted everything new and shiny for this precious baby. Despite the constant reminders that “Kids outgrow things before they outwear them!” and “she’ll only wear that Christmas dress once” I could not be deterred. Soon after she was born, and thus soon after she had spit up on everything we owned, I came to the realization that we spent a lot of hard earned money (and so did our dear friends and family) on vomit receptacles. It was like a college dorm room. Yea, that’s gross. Welcome to parenthood.
One day while I was shopping with a friend, we came across a resale shop where my world was changed. Imagine my surprise when we found perfectly good, not stained, not torn, not worn out clothes at very discounted prices! Not only that, there was some really cute stuff!
It was like the heavens opened and the angels sang. I bought $200 worth of clothes for $37!! I mean really, why had I resisted? I not only stopped resisting, it became a sport.
I love finding the cutest clothes in mint condition because ironically, they actually do out grow them before they out-wear them! I started attending mom to mom sales and looking for my favorite resale shops.
Here are a few things I have come to realize:
- There is no shame in the resale game. Saving money is a universal language! It’s also a real life saver to many families so selling to consignments is a win-win for everyone!
- Less wanton waste. I don’t care if you sell it, donate it or raffle it off; if someone is reusing something you can’t use anymore, that means less in a landfill and less resources to produce more.
- No one knows the difference. I say that with caution because I truly believe there is no shame in it. I tout it. I tell people who don’t ask, “Look at this great jacket I got her. For $9!”
- When it comes to the Mom to Mom sales, the early bird gets the best big ticket items!
- Take your kids with you to the shops. It’s an easy way to see what they like. Sure they fall in love with red cowboy boots that match nothing you own and are a terrible idea for winter, but you know what they are great for… dress up and Halloween! And they were $3! NOTE: I would NOT recommend that for mom to mom sales where a lot of booty is at the floor level for little ones to grab and fall in love with.
So if you are so inclined to take up a new sport,
try this competitive shopping where saving more of your own money is the prize!
Below is a list of some great places that the DMB moms love to shop. Happy hunting!
The Funky Frog Children’s Resale Boutique (Rochester)
Restyle Child (Birmingham)
Children’s Orchard (Sterling Heights)
Lollipop Kids Children’s Resale (Shelby Township)
All Saints Episcopal Church (Pontiac)
Another Child (St. Clair Shores)
Little Rascals resale and Boutique (Fraser)
Noni’s Kids Cupboard (Riverview)
Nine Month Bump (Trenton)
Baby Baby Plus More (Northville)
Grow With Me (Ann Arbor)
Once Upon a Child (Ann Arbor, Canton, Southfield, Troy)
Mommy Must Haves (Farmington)
Our Blessing’s Consignment (Milford)
Do YOU love to resale shop for your children?
What venue would you add to our list?
Hi Kim! I know you are all busy at citymomblog, but this post pertains exactly what I was wanting to share with your readers! I host a children’s consignment event that is growing in popularity in Metro Detroit. I put in an advertising request and email but I was waiting to hear back from someone.:)
Our spring event is approaching which is why I wanted to find out about advertising possibilities. Thank you so much! I look forward to hearing from citymomblog!