The Pajama Comparison: Retail vs. Thrift vs. Garage Sales

 

I know that some people have trouble thrifting for clothes. I have heard people say that it grosses them out wearing other peoples old stuff. Honestly, thrifting clothes is pretty new for me, but as I have gotten into it and realized what you can be saving I am so excited about it. I decided to do a little price comparison for you all. Who knows, maybe I will convert a non believer or two. 

Here are some rules I go by when I garage sale or thrift shop for clothes: 

1.) I only buy name brand clothes. My favorites for Luke are Carter's and Old Navy because they fit his body type the best and last forever. 

2.) NEVER buy anything that has a rip, stain or area of great wear. Even if it is the cutest outfit you have ever seen. It will always remind you that you thrifted it, its gross, and why would you buy something that is not going to last you, no matter how cheap it is? 

3.) I only buy things that are cute enough that I would buy it new. If you settle for something just because it costs a quarter, it will be a quarter wasted because you will never use it. 

4.) I usually only buy clothes for the next size or two up from what Luke is at right now. Even if you see a great deal for something farther out than that, don't buy it. There will be other great deals, and styles change so fast that you don't want to buy things that won't be in style when its time for your little one to wear them. 

Now prepare yourselves for my little savings analysis....

New Carter's pajamas: $11.00

Thrifted Carter's pajamas: $3.99

 Carter's pajamas found at garage sales: All $1.00 or less

 

As a first time mom I was shocked to find out how many pajamas I needed/wanted for each age group. Especially when babies are little, they spit up and pee out a ton, and I refuse to do laundry every day. Plus, we always give Luke a bath before bedtime and I hate putting him in something dirty right after he is fresh and clean. 

For these reasons I like to have 5 pajamas in each size. At $11.00 a piece that is $55.00 per size rather than the $5.00 or less I spend when I find them (in great condition) at garage sales. In a babies first year of life they go through at least 4 different sizes, which means that in Luke's first year of life if I was buying pajamas at retail prices I would be spending $220 just in pajamas rather than the $20 or less I do spend. 

To reiterate, that's a savings of $200 just in the pajama category, let alone clothes.

 

Would you like to see some other clothing finds I got at garage sales in the past few weeks for the muffin?? Here ya go. 

Old Navy pajamas new: $12.99 

I paid: .40 cents

Carter's mesh athletic shorts new: $14.00

I paid: .20 cents

Old Navy swimsuit new: $10.00

I paid: .20 cents

Old Navy track pants new: $12.99

I paid: .20 cents

Are you dreaming of all the money you could be saving? 

It has been so fun for me to find cute clothes for my little man to wear. Find something worthwhile to put that extra money you save towards, find a bigger thing your little one will need in the future (were looking for a toddler bed), or put it in a savings fund for college.

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