Crap :(

pinkie_pie

I knew paying off debts wouldn't be easy, and I've only got myself to blame, but what do you do when you really -really- need to find some money? Like when the kids need new clothes?

I've been trying to sell old bits of theirs, but I guess everyone's broke. Looked in the one or two charity shops locally but they're even more expensive than primark Also on bigwardrobe to try and swap things but there's very few kids bits on there too.

What do you do??

wigglebeena

Have you tried freecycle? You can put requests on as long as you list something first. You might get some offers.

pinkie_pie

I've tried for my son without any luck will have a go for my daughter wasn't sure if it's the 'done' thing as posted twice (big gap in middle) and didn't hear anything!!!

rethink

I didn't want to read and run, sorry you have found yourself in this situation, we are very much in debt and from next month we have no budget so hubby has to get a 2nd job by 1st oct, can you maybe sell something to make some money have a car boot sale ?

A x

pinkie_pie

I don't have a car! I've tried talking a friend into 'helping' with a carboot but to no luck lol

Second job isn't an option either, although if it was I'd gladly take it!

Tixy

Its really hard. Have you looked on freecycle? Do you have any friends, relatives with children slight bigger than your own? Could you talk to them about hand-me-downs (perhaps offer to babysit occasionally in return). Could you ask relatives/parents who would buy presents for the kids birthdays/christmas to buy clothes instead?
There are some real bargains on ebay if you keep an eye out for auctions finishing at odd times (sometimes for just pence, although you have to pay postage).

Alternatively could you organise a childrens swishing party with other parents where you all take along kids clothes that no longer fit and swish for items that would fit.

pinkie_pie

THanks for all the replies btw!

Don't have any friends with sons older than ds (he's the eldest boy), we get things passed down for dd but for some reason I've just sorted through and there's no tops or jumpers but hundreds of jeans! I'm so grateful to friends who do this (we swap ds stuff for dd stuff) but don't have any other friends with children to flutter eyelashes at sadly! Wouldn't know who else to invite to a swish party! Due to work/uni don't go to toddler groups and such anymore!

rethink

Sounds like an odd question but how old is your son ? Maybe if any of us were close then we could have a look on Freecycle is that helps. Have you ever tried Gumtree you could put an advert on there for your area and see if anyone would like to donate some clothes.

A x

Pippilongstocking

Hugs

We know exactly where you are coming from

We don't buy new clothes very often if at all - always been broke, ex hubby doesnt send maintenance and we have just got into a routine I guess - the regular things I buy are socks and knickers and some shoes only when I buy any new clothes I use quidco - even if its ebay - it all helps.

We are lucky I guess we are in the loop of older cousins (for my DD) and my DS gets lots of clothes from his pal who is same age but bigger - so bin bags are our normal source of clothes

I visit our local charity shops every week - we have 3 and I just rake and sometimes get lucky with stuff that fits now and sometimes with stuff that fits later - I use to be mortified when my mum did the same but nowdays its very urban chic to be green and recycle clothes - I alter things too if they aren't quite right - it all helps.

We also use freecycle - there's no limit to how often you can use it - and shove on anything you have that you don't need - whilst its great to have something to give away its not the pre-requisite of the site folks are genuinely pleased to get rid of things.

Jumble sales, church sales and do your kids go to clubs or anything where you can speak to parents the same age kids
Or put a notice up at school on the parent notice board about starting a clothes swapping scheme between parents?

I got all my school jumpers on freecycle - saved me a fortune.

Goodluck to you and I hope it all works out.

angelicmary85

Hiya,

I'm really lucky when it comes to kids clothes, come from a family that has loads of kids and as mine our the youngest, we get everything.

As for us, well, that's a different story! We can't really buy anything for us.

Can you reduce a payment (if your paying over the min amount) to a credit card or something for a month or two so you can buy a couple of bits and pieces that your son needs?