Getting The Good Stuff Cheaper: Kids' Clothing

BOSTON (CBS) - When you have kids it seems you are always shopping for clothes. Babies need a new wardrobe every couple of months. A newborn weighing in at 6 pounds will soon double her weight and need all new clothes. Clothes are a big line item in a family's budget.

With kids, hand me downs are great, unless, of course, you are the kid. And some things they are only going to wear once or twice at the most like a first communion dress and/or your son's blue summer blazer that he needed for your sister's wedding.

So "new to the kids" items can be found real cheap at consignment chops, church rummage sales, yard sales and the Goodwill or Salvation Army stores as well as online at Craig's List and eBay.

If you want new, new for the little ones try the outlet stores, discount stores, or shop the sales at the department stores. Places like Target and Walmart do have well-made kids clothing reasonably priced.

It is not practical to buy kids' clothes or shoes for next year. I know the sales are great on summer clothes right now, but the kid could fool you and not grow very much or grow two sizes by next summer.

When you are online with your favorite retailer check their sale link. While on Land's End's website I found girl's clothing which included jackets and sweaters for 50% off which can be worn year round.

TJ Maxx and Marshall's are liquidators that handle excess inventory. These are my favorite places to shop for my granddaughter. She was a flower girl recently and I got her very fancy dress for under $30.

The outlet stores are fun places to shop, but according to Consumers magazine, not all merchandise is created equal. If you go the Gap or the Banana Republic outlet stores you will be buying merchandise made specifically for the outlet stores. If you want the best deal on Gap merchandise check the sales in the regular stores.

School clothes sales will start in August.