This month celebrates National Secondhand Wardrobe Week, so we share just a few reasons why shopping this way when you’re a parent can have many benefits. Here are our thoughts...
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It’s cheaper: Whether you’re a parent of one or five children, providing them with everything they need can cost a fortune if you’re not careful. Shopping in this manner is an easy way to keep your costs down on anything from clothing to toys and equipment to nappies. If you are working to a tight budget you may be able to pick up the things you require at a fraction of the price.
You don’t have to give up the big brands: Shopping secondhand is the best way to still get the named brands you associate with quality and safety for your children with a hefty chunk off the original price. Just be sure to save your searches for the things you know will be popular so you can be alerted when they go on sale.
Secondhand pieces don’t have to come from an unknown: Secondhand can come from friends and family too and they are more likely to give them to you for free or for much less than a seller you don’t know over Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
Children grow out of things so fast: Investing a lot in something for your child is more than likely going to result in your money being wasted. Children grow out of clothing and shoes quickly and they rarely stay passionate about one thing for any length of time such as toys, characters or activities, so it makes sense not to part with cash on something new.
It hurts less when you come to part with these pieces: You won’t feel so bad about passing on an item that didn’t break the bank in the first place whereas if you paid an eye watering amount for an item and you only get some of that money back, you will feel regret when you let it go.
Secondhand can be like new: If you do your research, you can often find things in a nearly new or new (without tags) condition. Items that have never been taken out of the packet or box or that have been used only a handful of times. You get all the benefits of having a practically new product and save on the cost. Win-win.
You can find things that have been discontinued: For those who miss the bespoke baby stores like Mothercare and toy shops such as ToysRUs, there is still a chance you will find their products on the second hand market. So, if you had your eye on something before they ceased to trade or you simply trust the brand, you will be able to locate things from their ranges.
BONUS: Children don’t know the difference: And if they are aware that something is secondhand, they often don’t care because it means they can have the thing they want sooner.
RELATED: Bizarre: Seven ways to celebrate National Second Hand Wardrobe Day
If you already shop gently used pieces- good for you, there are many benefits to acquiring items this way, however if you are not used to shopping second hand, why not give it a try today and see how you get on? Here are just seven ways to get started…to read more click HERE
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