Aug 20, 201208:47 AMThrifty Mom
Let's be Thrifty Together
Out with the new, in with the old
My daughter is only 1, so I have a few years until the back-to-school shopping craze. According to the National Retail Federation, parents are expected to spend an average of $688.62 on their children going back to school. A little more than a third of that—$246.10—will be spent on clothes alone.
I’m not sure I spend that much on my own wardrobe in a year. Then again, I pretty much buy exclusively from clearance racks.
The scariest part is that this number is up from $603.63 last year—that’s a 14 percent increase! If you figure my daughter will be going to school in another four years, at that rate, I’d be on track to spend around $1,163 when she enters kindergarten.
That’s why I’m trying to venture into the world of consignment.
Online, I just discovered a website called ThredUp.com. This site sells new and gently used children’s clothing for cheap. If you sign up through this link, you’ll get an instant $10 credit, which will apply toward shipping, too. You also can use code AUGUST20 to get an extra 20 percent off. I just bought an Old Navy winter jacket for my daughter for just $3.75 (including shipping); the site says it retails for $31.
ThredUp also buys your new or gently used children’s clothing. Simply ask for a clothing bag to be sent to your house for $4.95. Fill it up, send it back. You’ll be refunded the $4.95 as soon as ThredUp gets the bag back. After that, your clothing will be evaluated and you’ll earn money for every item that can be resold. You can have the money deposited to your PayPal account or use it as a store credit. (Note: Unfortunately, ThredUp doesn’t accept clothing sized 12 months and under.)
If you’d prefer seeing your kids’ clothes in person, there are plenty of consignment and thrift options right here in Central Pennsylvania.
- Berks Kids Closet: An outgrown sale offering gently used clothes (infant to teen), toys, strollers, books, sports equipment, furniture, baby items, bikes, high chairs and more. This year, the event is being held in two locations: Sept. 8 at the Lebanon Expo Center and Sept. 29 at Leesport Farmers Market.
- Just Like New: This children’s and maternity consignment event runs from Sept. 19 to 22 at the Midway Skating Center in Carlisle. Wednesday is a preview day, which requires a pass. Thursday and Friday also offer car seat inspections and a child ID program. Then on Saturday, selected items will be half off.
- New For You: This kids’ consignment event will be held Sept. 5-8 at the Susquehanna Sports Center in Lemoyne.
- 4 The Kids: This event will run Sept. 27-29 in Dillsburg.
- Two Times Around: Another children’s and maternity consignment event that will be held Sept. 27-29 in Shady Grove.
Can’t make it to one of these events? There also are several consignment shops in the area. Check out Central Penn Parent’s handy guide here.
In addition to the specific deal scenarios below, I wanted to point out that all 24-count CVS brand adult pain relief is buy one, get one free. My husband gets headaches a lot, and since Excedrin has been out of commission since January, his favorite medication is CVS’ extra strength headache relief. The 24-count of this particular brand is $3.59 each, so stock up now for 50 percent savings!
A quick note on this first deal below, I’ve been to two CVS stores so far and there has been no sign of this product, which is very frustrating. I include it here in case you spot it at your local store.
I’ll probably check out at least one more CVS, since my toothbrush stockpile recently diminished to zero.
Reach Advanced Design Soft Toothbrushes, three-count
(Sale) Price: $2.99
Use $1 off one Reach toothbrush from July 29 RP
Pay $1.99 OOP, receive $2 EB*
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings!)
Right Guard deodorant
(Sale) Price: $2.99
Use $1 off one Right Guard Total Defense 5 deodorant from Aug. 19 RP
OR use $2 off two Right Guard Total Defense 5 deodorants from Coupons.com
Pay $1.99, receive $1 EB
Final price: $0.99 (67 percent savings!)
Crest 3-D White Multicare Whitening Rinse, 946 ml
Price: $7.49
Crest 3-D White Multicare Whitening Rinse, 473 ml
Price: $5.89
Use FREE Crest Rinse 500 mL or less when you buy Crest Rinse 946 mL or larger from July 29 P&G
AND use $2 off one Crest rinse printing at the CVS Coupon Machine
Pay $5.49 OOP, receive $5 EB
Final price: $0.49 for both (96 percent savings!)
If you have a little one at home, you’re probably always looking for deals on diapers and wipes. Great news! CVS has an ExtraBucks deal on its store-brand baby care items this week. Buy $25 worth of select CVS brand baby items and receive $10 in ExtraBucks. A few weeks ago, the CVS coupon machine printed out a $5 off $25 baby care purchase, which I was saving for a sale like this. Plus, as an added bonus, when I scanned my ExtraCare card at the Coupon Machine, I was awarded with another $1 off CVS brand baby wipes. This is the exact scenario I used, but I was more in need of wipes than diapers. Check out the deal and make up your own scenario!
CVS Thick ‘n Soft baby wipes, 216-count
Price: $7.29 (on sale for buy one, get one 50 percent off)
Buy four for a total of $21.87
Use $1 off one CVS brand baby wipes from the Coupon Machine
CVS diapers jumbo pack
(Sale) Price: $7
Use $5 off $25 baby purchase from the Coupon Machine
Pay $22.87, receive $10 EB
Final price: $12.87 or $2.57 each (55 percent savings!)
Did you know Weis offers store coupons in its Healthy Bites magazine available at the front of the store? Well, now you do. Check out this freebie direct from its pages.
Weis No Salt Added Tomato Sauce, 15-ounce can
(Sale) Price: Two for $1
Use $1 off two Weis No Salt Added Tomato Sauce from Healthy Bites
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings!)
Yoplait Simplait yogurt
(Sale) Price: $0.50
Use $0.30 off one Yoplait Simplait yogurt found on Facebook
Coupon doubles to $0.60
Final price: $0.10 moneymaker!
Central Penn Parent recently did a taste test of peanut butters including the new Jif Chocolate Hazelnut and Cappuccino Mocha spreads. Here’s your chance to try them out!
Jif Chocolate Hazelnut or Cappuccino Mocha spread
(Sale) Price: Two for $5 (must buy two)
Use two $1 off one Jif Hazelnut spread from Coupons.com
Final price: $3 or $1.50 each (40 percent savings)
The following deal is pretty amazing for brand-name cereals. Again, there are a variety of coupons available on Kellogg’s website, but using a combination of three of the two mentioned below will get you the best deal.
Kellogg’s Selected Cereals (including Rice Krispies, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops)
(Sale) Price: Three for $5 (must buy three)
Use two $0.50 off one Frosted Flakes from Kelloggs.com
AND use one $0.50 off one Apple Jacks from Kelloggs.com
Coupons double to $1 each
Final price: $2 or $0.67 each (60 percent savings!)
It looks like this week is a good week to stock up on meats at Giant. The store is offering BOGO deals on Hatfield Simply Tender Pork Loin Filets, Perdue boneless chicken breasts and Nathan’s hot dogs.
Yoplait Simplait yogurt
(Sale) Price: $0.50
Use $0.30 off one Yoplait Simplait yogurt found on Facebook
Coupon doubles to $0.60
Final price: $0.10 moneymaker!
Chex Mix
(Sale) Price: $2
Use $0.75 off one Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack from Coupons.com
AND use $0.50 off one Chex Mix or Chex 100 Calorie Snack from SavingStar.com**
Final price: $0.50 (75 percent savings!)
Hershey’s Simple Pleasures
(Sale) Price: $2.99
Use $2 off one Hershey’s Simple Pleasures from Aug. 19
AND use $1 off one Hershey’s Simple Pleasures from Target.com
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings!)
Index:
OOP — Out of Pocket
EB — ExtraBucks (from CVS)
SS — SmartSource (insert found in your local Sunday paper)
RP — Red Plum (insert found in your local Sunday paper)
BOGO — Buy one, get one free
*ExtraBucks are not deducted from your order right away. They are printed on your receipt to be used on your next visit.
** SavingStar.com requires free registration. Coupon amounts will be added to your online account after the store reports your purchase.
Email
Print
Feed
