Babies are expensive--ridiculously expensive: diapers, food, clothing, sippy cups, little forks, teething toys and tablets, diaper wipes, baby wash and shampoo--all this stuff adds up FAST--not to mention the fact that I'll be paying off the medical debt from her birth and hospital stay until the second coming. What's a mom to do? I'll tell you: GET YOUR THRIFT ON.

When it comes to clothes, my daughter's wardrobe is 85% hand-me-downs and thrift store finds. She receives new clothing as presents and we buy her the occasional brand new outfits for special occasions. I buy some simple play clothes from Target, but I never pay full price. CLEARANCE RACK TO THE DAY I DIE, Y'ALL. Children grow so quickly that it's hard to keep up. Paying full price for something my kid can only fit in for six months (if we're lucky) is just plain stupid. Sure, buy something special every now and then--but if you're buying everything brand spankin' new, you're throwing your money away.

I took a quick closet inventory last weekend and realized my little one needed Spring and Summer clothes. We had a few things, but not much. It was time to get my thrift game going--and hard. I went to America's Thrift Store on Skyland Boulevard here in Tuscaloosa and got four dresses, five shirts, three pairs of shorts, and a skirt for Dolly (plus three shirts, a dress, and a new designer purse for me); I only spent like $30. Seriously. I love America's Thrift Store.

Children's Closet opened this weekend at the old Books-A-Million in town, so I knew I had to check it out. I called in back up--my mother and mother-in-law--and we had a Girl's Day Out. We went out for lunch, hit up a local consignment sale, and got down to BUSINESS. Dolly got an entire wardrobe--dresses, play clothes, PJ's, shoes, toys, even a hanging closet organizer-- for less than $100. AN ENTIRE WARDROBE (mostly comprised of big name or boutique brands) for less than $100. We would have spent at least five times that much buying it all new.

Just look at all my consignment and thrift store finds--it's an entire wardrobe!
Just look at all my consignment and thrift store finds--it's an entire wardrobe!
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That's how it's done, y'all.

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