Shopping at resale shops

In the past, I've just taken all my old clothes to Goodwill. But I took a bunch of jeans to Buffalo Exchange recently. Didn't get a huge amount of money for them, but it was enough for a couple of lunches. And it was much easier than a garage sale.

Stacy Sullivan is an editor for arizonamoms.com, pets.azcentral.com and The Republic whose single mom sister is constantly asking for advice as she raises two great kids.

There seems to be a taboo on admitting you shop at second-hand stores. Growing up in the Washington DC area, my mom would shop for me at Bloomingdales and Saks - my parents were loaded.

My family income doesn't quite hit that mark, but we do OK. We shop for clothes at Target and Mervyns and yes - SAVERS! I love Savers, especially when you can get clothes that still have the tags on them for half of what they were originally purchased for.

sure, fine, whatever

I used to love shopping second hand until I moved recently and found I had dozens of bags of clothing, many bought second-hand, that I never wore. Now, I am just more discriminating. It's always great to get a bargain on something you absolutely love, as long as you absolutely really, truly love it. My sister has been know to buy things she didn't need just because she couldn't stand to leave such a great deal behind. Needless to say, she has only moved once in the last 20 years!

Where are some of the shops where people are finding really good quality stuff?

Susan & Neil Hampton have three spectacular children, Alexander, Isabel and David, plus one amazing teenager, Eric. Susan does community outreach for arizonamoms.com.
“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.” - Margaret Atwood

I chuckled when I saw this article because it's so timely! I rarely used to shop second hand - but now after a friend turned me on to Goodwill, I go there all the time (and usually with bags to donate as well). It's become a game to see what cute outfits I can find (especially for my daughter) for only a few bucks. I also love looking through their household items to see what treasures I can find (last week I found a cool 1960's collectible Hawaiian vase!). I used to be hesitant about shopping second hand - but now I find I can buy cute outfits for so much less than what I'd pay for them new.

Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.

I don't think it's taboo at all to shop at a resale shop!! I'd rather say I bought something nice secondhand than say I bought it at Walmart or Target, honestly. All my maternity clothes were secondhand, and I was able to buy a ton of clothes for maybe $200 total. Try spending that at Motherhood or even Walmart and getting quality clothing!

I love secondhand shops for everything. Craigslist and ebay are great too!

Well, growing up for me, shopping at second-hand/resale shops was the norm, and not because we were tight on money. My parents have always been conscience about how or what their money goes towards, and thus have passed it on to me.
My mom would always come out of those stores looking like a million buck-and people would tell her that all the time!
I think sometimes, though, it takes a bit of effort to find the right store(s).
Like for me, living in Prescott, it is obviously harder to find more decent clothing at our second-hand stores just because of our small population. But, for my son, I shop mainly at a resale shop. And, if I buy new for him, it's always on sale.
Since my parents moved to Chandler almost 3 years ago, my mom's new 'hang-out' has been Terri's. I can't believe some of the deals she has found there.
I don't think there's anything wrong with resale. I'm sure my son (and future children) will have some of the feelings that I had growing up-wanting new, feeling stupid, etc-but hopefully when he is grown he will realize how much more he can get for his money if he spends it wisely.

For Children's resale - I love to sell at, and occasionally buy at Puddleduds. They are in Scottsdale at Scottsdale/Shea. Unlike KidtoKid and other places, they pay by the brand. Meaning, a little cardigan is not just $6, but rather, pay one amount for a Polo cardigan, but perhaps a higher price for a Heartstrings, Juicy or Lilly Pulitzer.

If you have nice things that you know are worth more than Target or Gymboree and want to get more for them than what you'd get for your Gap Kids outfit, etc....take them to Puddleduds.

It is considered "high end kids" re-sale. The clothes and deals are lovely as the owner is very picky about things being in great shape to be taken and sold. Therefore, you can easily find that "special" outfit at a great price!

My son got a wonderful REI jacket there.

Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 6 yr. old daughter and a 4 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.

I must admit...I just shop at Target (as my one friend pronounces "Tar Jay").They put many of their clothes on sale (even less than the $3.99 daily price) on a certain day of the week. I have found their clearance clothes priced at even $1.49. How can one beat that! I have boys - that go through clothes so fast. I only buy a nice outfit at like Jack & Jane (or similar) once a year for their yearly birthday photo - that's the only time I splurge.

LisaMommy is a discussion leader in Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area for arizonamoms.com. Her two boys are ages 5 months and 3 years old.

I haven't shopped resale, though in my old reporting days I did follow a group of women from Afghanistan a few years ago when they took a day of shopping that included a thrift store. They did have some nice things there. But some Levi jeans were $7. I know I've paid about that new.

But I have thought of shopping at My Sister's Closet to see if I can find a great deal on some designer purse or jeans that I could never afford (or justify spending so much) at a department store.

I am a huge bargain shopper though. I once got a cool pair of shoes for $2 - and they didn't kill my feet.

My daughter is even used to asking, "Can I get this when it's on sale?" She loves the 50 percent off signs. I love the 66 percent and 75 percent off signs.

I especially love Dillard's when they have an extra 30 percent off. I got some super cool Guess jeans with gorgeous embellishments for $8. And I love Target, just like LisaMommy. I've scored a number of jeans for $5 and shorts for $2.50. I even look for stuff for me.

With gas at nearly $3.50, I'm definitely trying not to waste my hard-earned salary on full-priced clothes.

Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.