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>>>. Sears Comes Through. Though Sears has always been one of the top emporiums of affordable children's clothing, now it's even better. One mom relies heavily on the retailer's free program "Kid Advantage" that lets you replace torn or worn out clothing you buy from them as long as it's the same size and they can replace it with the same brand and similar price. "This was great for Michael since he tears up the knees in his jeans all the time," relates this satisfied mother. Sign up and be sure to keep your receipts.

>>> . Explore Children's Re-Sale Shops. Some mothers found that dressier apparel could often be found here and that it had clearly not been worn more than once or twice.

>>> . Buy Two. Once in a while, you'll find an item with the perfect price, quality, and look. Buy another in the next size so you can use it next season.

>>> . Consider Flea Markets. Depending on the quality of the flea market, this can be a fabulous place for deals. Visit the ones near you to see what you can uncover.

>>>. Avoid Impulse Buys. Sure, it's adorable, but does your child need it? Again, the same shopping rules apply to kids' clothing as they do to yours. Ask yourself "how often will this get worn?"

1. Study your wardrobe, determine your needs, work out a clothing budget, and stay with it. Clothes bought on impulse rarely fit in your budget or your wardrobe.
2. Buy the best quality you can afford, particularly in clothes that will last for several years. This is called "Investment Dressing." Think in terms of cost per wearing.
3. Buy color-coordinated clothes you can mix and match. Buy all-season styles and fabrics when possible. This way you don't have to buy as many clothes.
4. Know how to spot a bargain. When you buy a garment, check its construction, care instructions, fiber content, and other label information. Be sure it will last and will be easy to care for.
5. Buy designs that will stay in style.
6. Buy wash and wear as much as possible. Clothes that require dry cleaning are expensive to care for.
7. Choose clothes with simple trim; they won't go out of style as quickly. Trim should be of good quality and should require the same care as the rest of the garment.
8. Shop factory-outlet stores. Don't assume there is something wrong with clothes sold there. They could be surplus, samples, or discontinued lines. Any imperfect or damaged items must be tagged or advertised as such. And, the flaws in some may be so minor that they don't matter at all.
9. Accessories can add a new look to your wardrobe for a much smaller cost than buying major items.
10. Adapt what you have to current styles instead of dashing out to buy something new.
11. When you outgrow clothing, exchange with friends and relatives or recycle them.
12. Contribute clothing to a "nearly new" shop sponsored by a charitable organization. Your gift may be tax deductible if you get a signed receipt for its estimated value.
13. Learn to sew, but don't rush out and buy a lot of fabric that you'll never get around to making into garments.
14. Take good care of your clothing and shoes. They will last longer.

Hi

Take inventory. Sort through your children's existing wardrobes and determine what they already have and what they need for the upcoming seasons.

Eliminate unnecessary expenses. Don't buy clothes you don't need just because they're cute or on sale. This is one of the biggest ways you can save money on buying children's clothes.

Ask family and friends with slightly older children to start saving clothes for you. Make sure to properly pack away clothes your older children have worn so that they can be handed down to siblings.

thanks