[LittleGopher]

Ever since my first daughter was born (and I stayed home with her and needed to econimize,) we've shopped at thrift stores. I find Goodwill and Salvation Army stores expensive in my area, but have found one store that benefits the mentally handicapped people in our area to be a great place to to shop. The particular store that I go to seems to get regular donations from the more wealthy (some clothes even have store tags on.) The prices are definitely better than clearance at Target, etc., and the selection is pretty good, even with this store's increasing popularity over the years. A great many of this store's clothing have gone through all four of my girls, and are still in good enough shape to be donated back (so generally are better quality clothing.)

One thing I had always been told is that once my girls reached a 'certain' age, they would revolt at this type of acquisition of clothing. Know what? It hasn't happened. My two older girls (15 & 13) love the unique looks they can create (my younger two - 10 & 8 - just like something "new" once in a while, and if it's pink or purple, that's a plus!) In the last two years or so, we've started checking out a resale shop that caters to teens - it's not quite as cheap as my favorite Value Village, but the clothes are very current, in great shape and much cheaper than new anywherenear us. Again the shop we go to gets very nice quality clothing brought in. So between the two shops and hand-me-downs from sisters and friends, my girls are outfitted very inexpensively. Actually, I'm not sure what we'd do without these shops (and friends!)