This week we are happy to feature a guest post by one of our favourite mummy bloggers, Becky from Baby Budgeting. We hope you enjoy it, and please feel free to leave any of your own tips in the comments.
We all like our kids to look lovely but it isn’t always possible to buy them the latest trends as money can be tight with a little one to look after.
Here are some top fashion tips for parents on a budget.
1) Consider a swishing party. Invite your mum pals to bring over all their unwanted kids clothes one evening. Lay them all out around the room and give everyone a shopping bag and let them take what they do want!
2) Why not try and adapt what you have – this is both green and frugal. Jeans could be cut to make shorts, an old dress could become a little tunic top when it gets too small new buttons may revive a cardi or a stained t-shirt could even be tie dyed or have a felt flower sewn on it.
3) Hand me downs are life savers; I always say YES to any offer and give the giver a big old hug. You are sure to find a few things in a hand me down bag. Even if you just find a few play clothes) these are a useful additions to your child’s wardrobe and saves you wrecking the good stuff.
4) Check out supermarkets such as Tesco the quality and diversity of the clothes will amaze you and you can find some brilliant high street copies. Clothes shopping from supermarkets is also now possible online and you won’t get distracted by all those cakes!
5) Car boots can be great, full of families like yours trying to make some extra money. Check out www.carbootjunction.com for your nearest car boot sale.
6) Accessorise – a little hair bow or waistcoat can transform an outfit for a party, a bit of shoe polish and some frilly socks can work wonders too. You don’t have to buy a brand new outfit just add some interesting detail.
7) For babies a big waterproof bib that they are happy to wear is worth its weight in gold and I would recommend if they are eating spaghetti or painting strip them down to their nappy. Protect what you have!
8) A little child probably doesn’t care too much what they look like so try and not care too much either. Life is for living a child should eat, play and climb and crawl without you being too concerned – that’s why expensive clothes just aren’t worth it
Here are a couple of top my picks from the current Tesco range:
Girls Cherokee 3-piece set, Boys Baby boutique 3 piece trouser set
This baby girls outfit is only £8 and look at what you get! Tights, skirt and layered top…brilliant! The little boys outfit is £9.60. What gorgeous Autumn colours and so trendy for a fraction of what you pay on the high street!
A smile is the prettiest accessory ever, so the best tip is to have fun with your kids and relax.
Becky x
Becky blogs regularly about baby budgeting at www.babybudgeting.co.uk and her book “How to Afford time off with your baby – 101 ways to ease the financial strain” by Becky Goddard-Hill was published last year (Vermilion, 2009)
