How to Shop for Clothing with an Extremely Limited Budget

How I shop for clothing for myself and my kids on a very tight budget and make it work!

I try not to pay full price. I can’t say never but I really spend a lot of time looking for the best possible deals.

How to Shop for Clothing with an Extremely Limited Budget

I have an extremely limited budget to buy the things I need. I set aside 10% of my paycheck every month for clothing, shoes, toys, household items etc and that amount is all I am able to spend. You may be thinking that I have quite a large budget but then again you have no clue how small my paycheck is:) With 2 kids who are constantly needing new things and stuff that keeps breaking (why?!?) its a constant challenge to get the things we need with the money we have.

Take shoes. I always heard and read about mother complaining about “keeping kids in shoes” but I had NO IDEA how many shoes my kids would ACTUALLY go through! Shoes get ruined and kids outgrow them faster than you can blink. And that’s not including any boots or slippers or dress shoes!

Get Hand-me-downs

I also don’t have any friends or relatives with kids who are a year older than mine so hand-me-downs are few and far between! I do try to pass on the items I have to others. Even if I am not so lucky that doesn’t mean other can’t be!

Sometimes I feel like all I do is shop. But I don’t actually spend any money- I just keep on looking and looking for things that I need at a price point I can afford.

“Stocking-up” on Clothes and Shoes

Since I do have an “envelope” for these items, I always have “some” money to spend on sales and stocking-up. For example, I was recently at Target and they had boy’s sneakers for ridiculously cheap. Since I already have the cash set aside I was able to buy each kid a pair in the next size up. This saves me money and the stress of not being able to find anything affordable when they will need new shoes.

But I don’t just stock-up or buy things for the next season- I have a system that I follow.

8 ways to shop for clothing on a dime

Set a Budget

I decide how much I am willing to spend on an item. Then I decide how much I am willing to spend on an item RIGHT NOW. So for example, I may spend $10 on a shirt for the summer. But since its the dead of winter- I don’t need summer clothes. I would buy something to keep for the summer to save some money in the future but RIGHT NOW I am only willing to spend $5 on a shirt for the summer. (Obviously these numbers fluctuate based on the item and you’re budget).

Buy Clearance

I check clearance. On my phone I have a bunch of stores bookmarked. When I have a chance- is check their clearance section. If there is something that is in my RIGHT NOW price range I buy it.

Buy what I need

I don’t buy just because its cheap- if it may not fit, if I don’t love the color etc. I don’t buy it even if its super cheap. I don’t want to waste even on a shirt that I will never wear.

Get Free Shipping

I try not to pay for shipping. Shipping fees are stupid. So many stores offer free shipping- I won’t shop at those that do. So, I either shop at stores that have free shipping, I check promo codes for free shipping (type the store name + free shipping into google for promo codes), and I use Shoprunner. I was given Shoprunner for free from my Free Amex card- so I don’t pay for that subscription either.

Smart Store Credit Card Use

I don’t like to get store credit cards because I try to restrict my credit card use. Also, many store credit cards just don’t give the same points or cash back value as a regular credit card. The only exception would be if it is a store I honestly shop at a lot and it gives me value all the time. (Not 10% after I rack up hundreds of points on full-priced items type of value). Target has a debit and credit card option so I have their card. They offer 5% off EVERY purchase and free shipping all the time.

Loyalty Cards

I sign up for store loyalty cards. Basically, why not? If its free- I sign up. If I remember to scan it and log in- great! I occasionally get reward points and coupons. If its free, then why not? I did this when I was pregnant as well- I signed up for ALL the programs. That’s how you prepare for a baby on a budget!

Shop Online Smartly

I only physically walk into stores that I can probably afford to shop at but online? There is no harm in looking. I go to clearance and sort from low-high. I stop looking once I get to my price point so there is no temptation. This means I shop at some pretty pricey stores as well as some cheap ones. Even high- end department stores can have some cheap clearance items: Currently my quick shopping “looks” are at the following stores: Target, Lord and Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Children’s Place (for my kids obviously). Why these stores? Free shipping! Either from the store or through Shoprunner. This way I can snag something for $3 when it goes on sale. Just did that at Lord and Taylor!

Use Ebates/Rakuten

Ebates/Rakuten– I always shop through Ebates when shopping online. YOU WILL NOT GET RICH FROM CASHBACK! If you are getting a large Ebates check then you are shopping too much. I try not to factor in cashback in when I am evaluating prices for any clothes that I am buying. Read a full Rakuten Review here. 

What system do you have in place for shopping? Do you buy things in advance?

A Dime Saved

Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.