Our Thrifty Children

I'm getting a little bit tired of hearing predictions for 2010 and the new decade, and what style is in and what trends are no longer trendy. But Parent Central recently wrote about one interesting observation that I can totally relate to. Apparently more parents than ever are including thrift stores in their child rearing. Since the most recent economic meltdown, the stigma of buying secondhand has sharply decreased and more parents than ever are shopping for their kids' wardrobes at the Goodwill and Salvation Army instead of high-end boutique and department stores. Kate and I decided long ago that our daughter will be wearing secondhand as much as possible. In fact, we've decided not buy any new clothes for her. There is a ton of really cute like new merchandise at secondhand shops, and besides being less expensive it just means less stuff in landfills as she grows up. Hopefully our baby will not only inherit a monetarily responsible lifestyle, but also one that is more environmentally aware than past generations.

  • 01.15.10

ctb59 commented: Exactly! Good thoughts & good news as well - except that the (shopping)competition may be a bit tougher now....

  • 1.18.10

Scott commented: Thanks Carol! You know, I'm more than willing to put up with a little more competition at the thrift store as long as it means people are starting to be more responsible and reusing perfectly good items instead of throwing them away. it's a small price in my opinion.

Thanks for your comment. I hope to see you "around" here more often on Ars Longa and joining in the discussion.

Hilary commented: Hi Scott - don't know how I missed this post. Just thought I'd add that I cannot think when I last bought something new for our boys (5 & 9.) And they are probably better dressed than most of their classmates. Obermeyer and Columbia winter coats, Gap and Levis and ... you name it. The one rule I made for us was not to buy the brands they carry at WalMart 2nd hand -- they are mostly too cheap to begin with and don't hold up well.
Oh, I remember the last new thing purchased - winter gloves. Gloves and boys are a difficult combo.
Best of luck to you guys!

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