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When to Teach Kids About Money

The post When to Teach Kids About Money appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Okay, so you can’t talk stocks with your 3-year-old, but don’t underestimate your child’s financial savvy.

According to research out of Cambridge University, kids can start learning financial concepts by age 3 and develop financial habits by 7. This may seem incredibly young, but kids are like sponges and they pick things up fast!

So, if you are contemplating when to start talking to your kids about money, the right time is probably now. 

When to Start Talking to Your Kids About Money

It’s almost never too early to start talking to your kids about money and instilling good financial habits. However, this doesn’t mean you should share all of your financial worries and stressors with your second-grader. It’s important to introduce money concepts in a fun and age-appropriate way.

Whether it’s reading children’s books about money, playing fun games that include a financial element, or even having simple conversations about money, there are many approaches you can take. The important thing to remember is that children learn financial skills primarily from their families. So, try to normalize money conversations in your home and talk about your finances openly and honestly, while being age-appropriate.

If you don’t feel confident teaching your kids about money, don’t worry. It’s not up to you to have all of the answers. You can still improve and support their financial literacy by acting as their financial guide. When you don’t know the answer to one of your kids’ questions, point them in the direction of a useful book or other financial resources.

How to Teach Kids About Money at Different Ages 

The benefits of talking to your kids about money and introducing financial topics early on can’t be overstated. Here are some of my favorite ways to teach kids about money, no matter how old they are. 

Toddlers 

For parents of toddlers, consider introducing a piggy bank. You can teach your young child how to recognize the different types of coins as they use their fine motor skills to place the nickels, dimes, and quarters into the coin slot. They can also practice counting as they put each coin into their piggy bank. 

Preschoolers

Make money fun by playing store with your children. Have them work as the shop owner and go and buy different items from their store. This will teach your preschooler about the exchange of goods and money. Tell them you’d like to purchase one of their toys and ask them how much it will cost. You can use play money to demonstrate the exchange of the toy for cash. This also gives them the opportunity to learn about financial concepts like buying, selling, value, cost, and price. 

Kindergarteners

You can continue to play games with your kindergartner. This time, play a game of bank. Have your child pretend to work as a bank teller. You can come to the bank with your debit card and deposit or take out money. Then switch roles — you play bank teller and have your child come to the bank for a new financial experience. This provides the opportunity to discuss the concept of saving, banking, and debit. 

Elementary School 

Take your elementary-aged child to the store with you for a fun financial experience. Talk to them about what you are going to buy and how much it costs. Show them your shopping list and stick to it. Tell them why they can’t have every candy bar or toy that they see. This experience can reinforce the concept that things cost money. It can also give you the chance to discuss needs and wants — you don’t need a chocolate bar, you just want one. Delayed gratification is another great lesson that can be learned. Tell them that they can have the toy they want but that they will need to save up their pocket money in order to buy it. 

When you are ready to check out, encourage your child to watch as the cashier rings up  your items. Then, let them help you pay. They can help you to count your cash, or you can let them use your credit card. This gives you a great opportunity to introduce the concept of credit. When you’re finished, show them the receipt so they can see how much everything costs. Overall, a trip to the grocery store can be an amazing financial lesson for kids.

Middle School 

Make money fun with a family game night. Pull out Monopoly or the Game of Life and enjoy time together while you also share important money lessons. Board games can be a great way for your middle school-aged child to discuss the concepts of rent, bills, budgeting, and even bankruptcy. 

High School

When it comes to teaching older kids about money, don’t hold back. You don’t want to scare your high schooler but you definitely want to prepare them for the real world. Make it your mission to have them financially literate before they graduate high school. Before they leave your house, you want them to understand how to responsibly use a credit card and the importance of having a good credit score. 

Talk to your teen about student loans and even show them the staggering student debt statistics. Introduce them to the concept of investing and the magic of compound interest. Again, if you don’t fully understand some of these concepts yourself, then use this as an opportunity to learn together. Find a new financial podcast and listen to it in the car with your teen or share your favorite financial blogging sites with each other. 

What to Avoid When Teaching Kids About Money

Now that we’ve covered some of the productive ways you can teach your kids of all ages about money, what are some things you should avoid? While it’s a good idea to be open, honest, and age-appropriate, it’s probably best to steer clear of the following:

Avoid heated money conversations – Try not to argue or fight about money in front of your children. It’s okay to have money conversations and even discuss your financial mistakes, as this is a great way to help them learn. But, fighting about money is a no go because this can form a negative association between arguments and money.  

Don’t model financially irresponsible behavior – Young children learn through modelling. Monkey see, monkey do. So, if mom and dad are always buying things they can’t afford and racking up the credit card, don’t be surprised if their little one grows up to make some of the same financial mistakes. Do your best to model responsible financial behavior, and if you make a mistake, talk about it. 

Don’t make the topic of money taboo – Many people are uncomfortable talking about money. This may be because their parents didn’t talk about money or said it was rude to talk about money. But, it’s time to break the cycle. If you want to raise money-savvy kids then you need to create an environment in which they feel comfortable asking questions and having financial conversations. 

Don’t give them everything – If your child sees you as a bank that is open 24/7 and always full of money, then they won’t learn to equate money with effort or work. Teach your kids that money doesn’t grow on trees. Make them work for it. Set up age-appropriate chores and have them earn the value of a dollar. 

There’s No Time Like Now to Teach Your Kids About Money  

No one expects you to have all the answers about money topics, so don’t let that scare you. Just go for it! If you want to raise financially savvy kids, the most important part is to start early and to talk often.

— By Jessica Martel

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Guitar Center Return Policy: Here’s Everything You Gotta Know To Make a Return

A few years ago, I really got into playing the guitar and would browse through guitar tutorial videos on YouTube for hours every week. Unfortunately the town I live in does not have a Guitar Center and I had to settle for a local music store, which I was happy to support, but had a […]

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8 Fast Food Menu Secrets That’ll Make You Look REALLY Smart (and Save You Money)

I have a confession to make…I love me some fast food from time to time. Heck, I lived off Taco Bell in college and still crave it to this day. The smell of McDonald’s French fries still makes my mouth water every time I catch a whiff. I also love to order secret menu items […]

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Out of Stock: 6 Items That Will Be In Short Supply This Christmas (and What To Do About It)

I keep hearing about the hundreds of cargo ships stuck off the coastlines in the U.S. waiting to be unloaded and the subsequent HUGE shortage of Christmas gifts this year. But none of the stories actually tell you WHAT will be in short supply. So I went out and did the research to figure out […]

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15 Must-Knows About the Amazon Pharmacy to Help You Save

The days of standing in a long line at your local pharmacy (with other sick people) just might be coming to an end. With the pandemic came people wanting to stay out of stores, and long lines, and so the timing for Amazon to enter the pharmacy space is pretty smart. But with any new […]

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Clever Ways to Give Money for Christmas 

The post Clever Ways to Give Money for Christmas  appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

It’s Christmas time, the season of giving! While nothing makes me happier than giving a loved one something special, I have to admit, I don’t like Christmas shopping. Whether in person at the mall or online, I always find myself scrambling to find meaningful gifts at the last minute.

Gift-giving is fun when you’ve found the perfect present for someone, but it’s definitely stressful when you are just trying to cross names off of your shopping list.

This Christmas you’ll be in good company if you decide to skip the mall in search of store-bought presents. Consider the following clever ways to give money instead.

DIY Cash and Card Holders for Christmas Giving

  When you’re giving cash as a Christmas gift, you have tons of unique and creative ways to wrap it. Here are some of my favorite Christmas gift card holder ideas. 

DIY Glitter Gift Card Holder

Add some glitter to your Christmas gifts with these DIY gift cards and money holders. Rather than sticking some money in a generic store-bought Christmas card, these DIY cardholders add more of a personal touch. 

Origami Envelopes

Whether you are already into origami or are completely new to the idea, you can find folding instructions for origami envelopes for all skill levels. Origami envelopes are an interesting and visually stunning way to give money. 

Slimline Money Holder

A slimline money holder is a long and narrow-shaped money holder that fits into a standard business envelope. It’s called a slimline holder because the design is longer and narrower than a regular-size card or money holder that you would find in a store. It’s a nice change from a regular money holder and is the perfect size for carrying bills. Here’s how to make a DIY slimline money holder.

DIY Gift Money Holder 

For you crafters or scrapbookers who have lots of designer paper on hand, these DIY gift money holders are for you. These festive money holders are easy to make and can even be hung from the Christmas tree like an ornament until you are ready to give them. 

Fun Ways to Give Cash or Gift Cards to Kids for Christmas

There are plenty of fun ways to give kids cash for Christmas.

Bonus: If your kids receive cash as a present for Christmas, this is a great opportunity to introduce financial literacy concepts like saving, spending, and giving. 

Cash Crayons

For kids who love to draw and color, give “cash crayons.” Buy a box of crayons and wrap each crayon with a dollar bill. You can also add a coloring book for young kids or an adult coloring book for teens.

Play Dough 

Empty out a Play-Doh container and fill it with dollar bills. This fun play on words will likely be lost on young kids, but a tween might get the joke!

Money Tree

A Christmas money tree is another fun and unique way to give a money gift at Christmas. You can decide how big you want your tree to be based on how much money you want to give and the denomination of bills you want to give. 

Snowman Treat Jars

In the past, I’ve used these snowman treat jars as a fun way to gift baked goods and candies. However, you could also fill a festive snowman mason jar with money. 

Chocolate Box

Remove (or eat) all the chocolates in a box and fill the wrappers with folded money. Your kiddo might not be thrilled when they unwrap a box of chocolates but they will likely be excited when they open the box and find cash.

Is It Tacky to Give Money for Christmas Instead of Gifts?

There are mixed feelings when it comes to giving money instead of more traditional gifts, especially at Christmas time. Some think a money gift is too impersonal. Others deem it as flat-out tacky.

But, let’s be honest — who doesn’t love getting money?

Money gives you the freedom to buy exactly what you want. Or, the receiver can use the money in a more practical way — like to pay for groceries or bills. In addition to these benefits, there are several other pros of giving money during the holiday season … 

Pros of Giving Money for Christmas

Convenient. You don’t have to spend any time or energy thinking about what each person on your Christmas list really wants. Just make a quick stop at the bank and you’re good to go. I’ve found a cash gift is especially convenient when it comes to those last-minute gifts.

Practical. As I already mentioned, when you give money as a gift, you give the receiver the freedom to do what they like with the money. Instead of guessing what someone wants and then having them return it, you give them money to spend on whatever they choose. 

Cheap and easy to mail. If you have to mail Christmas gifts to family and friends living a long distance away, it’s much cheaper to mail a card with money inside than it is to ship a heavy or bulky package. 

Eliminates waste. How many last-minute gifts end up in the back of a closet, or worse, in the garbage? Rather than adding to the mountains of waste, a cash gift can be a better choice. 

Easier to budget. When you gift money, you get to choose exactly how much you want to spend. This can make it easier to stick to your Christmas budget.

How Do You Feel About Giving Money for Christmas? 

In case you can’t tell, I think giving money at Christmas can be a truly thoughtful gift. When you give someone cash, what you’re really giving them is the ability to choose exactly how they want to spend it. And, for you, it means no driving around to shop in bad weather, no standing in long lines, no stressing about what to get, and no going over budget! That’s a win-win Christmas present in my book. 

— By Jessica Martel

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Victoria’s Secret Return Policy: Time To Clear Up the Muddy Waters

Not gonna lie, there’s a lot going on with the Victoria’s Secret return policy. From things like receipt-less returns, to “franchise store” returns, to returning gifts without a receipt, it’s really confusing trying to keep it all straight. So I set out to try and clear up the muddy waters and make the water purified […]

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ASOS Return Policy: Time to Make Sense of ALL The Confusion

ASOS has been around since 2000 but I’ve only recently become acquainted with them due to my teenage daughters liking their clothing styles. But with any online shopping, especially for clothes and apparel, the inevitable return will happen. So I recently dug into the ASOS return policy to help my daughter with her return. I […]

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Thoughtful No-Spend Christmas Gift Ideas

The post Thoughtful No-Spend Christmas Gift Ideas appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of year. I love almost everything about it. Getting together with family and friends, the delicious food, the decorations, all of the Christmas scents. 

I enjoy everything about the holidays … except the huge amount of debt that often accompanies the Christmas season. The never-ending Christmas gift list for loved ones, friends, acquaintances, teachers, bus drivers, and co-workers can create a huge dent in the household budget. I don’t want to sound like a Scrooge but, the truth is, fulfilling the gift list can get really expensive.  

If you love to celebrate the holiday season but don’t want to be paying off your credit card well into the New Year, consider spreading cheer with no-spend Christmas gifts this year.

Pros and Cons of Not Giving Gifts for Christmas 

Christmas without traditional gift-giving might sound shocking. What is Christmas without store-bought presents? But you can still enjoy all of the spirit and feeling of Christmas without standing in line at the mall or frantically trying to knock off all of your Christmas gifts online. This year, instead of spending a fortune buying generic gift cards or scented candles, consider putting a no-spend Christmas gift under the tree. 

A no-spend Christmas is just a different way of enjoying the holidays. You can still give gifts, you just don’t have to spend all of your money in order to do so. 

Related: 12 ways to spend less this holiday season

The Pros of a No-Spend Christmas

If you’re sick of the over-commercialization of Christmas and you just want to enjoy your holidays without having to buy everyone you know a gift, there are a ton of benefits to a no-spend Christmas, including:

Less holiday debt. When you don’t have to buy everyone you know a material gift, you can save a lot of money and avoid going into credit card debt. In 2019, Americans had an average of $1,325 in holiday debt, according to a survey conducted by MagnifyMoney. This year, celebrate the holiday season without overspending or blowing your Christmas shopping budget.

Less stress. I find holiday shopping stressful. Despite my best efforts and planning, I always end up with a long list of last-minute presents I have to buy. Rather than enjoying Christmas music, baking, and the company of my family and friends, I am running back and forth to the mall or sitting in front of my laptop on Amazon. It’s stressful and not the way I want to spend my holiday. 

No more impersonal gifts. A byproduct of last-minute holiday shopping is the purchasing of impersonal gifts. When I’m in a rush, I just start buying whatever I can in order to cross off another name on my list. This results in spending money on things that the gift receiver might not even use or care for. 

The Cons of a No-Spend Christmas 

I believe that the pros of a no-spend Christmas far outweigh the cons, but there are still a few things you should consider. 

Not everyone will understand. You will likely encounter some family members or friends who don’t care for your no-spend Christmas gifts. They might feel like you are just being cheap and they may feel slighted if you don’t get them a “real” Christmas present. 

It can be uncomfortable. If you go to a holiday party at work or with friends and everyone else is passing out store-bought gifts, it might feel uncomfortable to give a DIY, no-spend gift. However, many people will love and appreciate the personal touch when receiving a handmade present. 

Creative Ideas for No-Spend Christmas Gifts 

If you feel like taking a no-spend approach to gifts this year, there are a ton of experiential and DIY gift ideas you can try out. I love receiving experiential gifts and DIY items because I feel they are often more personal, creative, and thoughtful than many store-bought things.

Create a date-coupon book 

Sometimes the best gift you can give your mate is your time. Your undivided, full attention. If you have a special someone in your life, consider creating a book filled with 12 date coupons. That’s a guarantee for one special date each month. One coupon is good for a sunset walk, another for a trip to your favorite restaurant. A date coupon book can be filled with amazing experiences for couples to enjoy together. 

Cook a Loved One Their Favorite Meal

There is nothing more important than spending time with the people you love and cherish. What better way to acknowledge someone and show them you care than by cooking someone their favorite meal? Sit down with your beverage of choice and enjoy good food and conversation. These are the moments that will truly be remembered. 

Build a Time Capsule

This is a fun gift idea for the entire family. Engage your kids by having them pick some of their most cherished items to put in the time capsule. Include photographs and written notes to your future selves. Then, lock up the box and open it at Christmas the following year. 

Create a “Tell Me Anything” Notebook 

One of the best gifts my kids ever gave my parents was a “Tell Me Anything” notebook. Simply get a notebook and have your kids fill it with all of the questions they want to know about their grandparents. Have them draw pictures, include photographs, write poems or stories. Then, once your parents have had a chance to answer all of the questions, they can return the Tell Me Anything notebook as a future gift for your kids. 

Homemade Baking 

A surefire way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. Right? This year bake some scrumptious Christmas treats and cookies and give them as gifts. Food gifts are truly some of my favorite presents to receive and give. They make great gifts to bring to a holiday party because they can be shared with everyone. You can decorate a mason jar and fill it with treats or find a beautiful box and wrap them up. 

Homemade Christmas Ornaments  

If you want to get your kids involved with no-spend Christmas gifts, have them help you create personalized Christmas ornaments. We use this simple salt dough recipe to make creative Christmas ornaments. You can use cookie cutters to create Christmas shapes and then add paint or sparkles to finish your creative creations. 

What No-Spend Christmas Gifts Will You Try This Year?

This year stick to your Christmas budget and enjoy a more frugal holiday. A lovely mason jar filled with your favorite Christmas treats or a beautiful handmade gift is way more personal than an online gift card.

— By Jessica Martel

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The Nordstrom Employee Discount: 8 Things You Gotta Know for Success

If you found this article you’re either considering applying for a job, or a new hire trying to figure out exactly how the Nordstrom employee discount works. In either case, they have a pretty liberal discount for employees and it definitely helps you save money, especially when you can tack it the discount onto clearance […]

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Newegg Return Policy: We Make Sense of a VERY Complicated Policy

I’ve been breaking down retailer’s return policies for a few years now and I gotta admit that I’ve yet to find one as complicated as the Newegg return policy. Things that complicate the Newegg policy considerably include 3rd party sellers with different rules, products that are “replacement only”, and the dreaded restocking fee that accompany […]

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Walmart Vision Center: 8 Things You GOTTA Know Before You Visit

Getting an eye exam and a new pair of eyeglasses doesn’t have to be expensive if you play your cards right. Enter the Walmart Vision Center where you can get an eye exam (from a board certified optometrist) and a new pair of prescription glasses for under $100. Even less if you’re not super picky […]

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13 Questions About the Shein Return Policy Answered…Finally

Moment of truth…I had never heard of Shein until a few weeks ago when I saw my teenage daughter shopping for clothes on their website. Turns out she’s a huge fan of their affordable, trendy styles. She especially loves their dresses, swimwear, and tops. But with all online clothes shopping, there comes a time when […]

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Where to Find Free Stuff in Your Area

The post Where to Find Free Stuff in Your Area appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

INSIDE: “Free stuff near me?” We’ve got you covered with 13 resources to score free stuff and free things to do in your area.

The only thing I love more than finding something I really want on sale is finding something I really want for free! Until recently, I was totally unaware of all of the amazing tools that can be used to help find free stuff and free things to do in your area. From social media tools to apps, there are many useful resources you can use to track down freebies in your area.

What Can I Get For Free in My Area?

You might be surprised to learn what you can find for free in your own backyard. I’ve scored free kids toys, a free kids camping chair, and free lawn furniture. But the sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you can find on some local freebie sites. Everything from free mattresses to free TVs and free sporting equipment. You can even sign up on certain apps, websites, and even in certain stores to get birthday freebies when it’s your special day. Part of the fun is exploring what is out there to find!

And, it’s not just about finding free things. You can also find free experiences. Everything from free museum visits to free entrance to a national park. Here’s a list of 13 resources you can use to find all sorts of free things and things to do in your area. 

13 Resources to Find Free Things and Free Things to Do 

If you’ve never searched “what can I get for free” or “where to get free stuff” online then you are probably unaware of the insane amount of free stuff you can find. Here’s what I’ve compiled from my online searches and real-life experience searching for free stuff. 

1. Yard Sales and Estate Sales 

While yard sales and estate sales typically sell used items for a small price, if you go near the end of the sale, sometimes you can pick up stuff for free. After a long day, the sellers might find it easier to put some of their unsold items up for free rather than pack them away. And, one of the main reasons people have yard sales or estate sales is to get rid of stuff. So, often if things don’t sell, the seller will just give it away so they don’t have to deal with it.

You can use apps like Yard Sale Treasure Map to track down yard sales in your area. 

2. Freecycle.org 

Freecycle.org is a nonprofit movement that is made up of people who want to give stuff and get stuff for free in their local areas. Freecycle.org is focused on putting used items to good use and keeping products out of the landfill. It’s totally free to sign up as a member and you can start pursuing free items in your area. You can browse through recent items or, if you know what you are looking for you can use the search function on the website to look up a specific product. Freecycle is easy to use and it’s a fantastic local resource. 

3. All Free Stuff on Facebook 

All Free Stuff is a public group that you can access on Facebook. And, as the name suggests, it is a group dedicated to helping people find free stuff. The goal of this group is to help people who are less fortunate in the local community. It’s completely free to list items in this group and anyone is free to join. 

4. Free Stuff Facebook Marketplace 

Another Facebook resource that can be used to track down free stuff is Facebook Marketplace. You can simply search for free items in your area. You can use filters to specify your location and the distance in which you are wanting to search. Similarly, you can apply filters to search for specific categories of items including apparel, home goods, pet supplies, electronics, toys, and so on. 

5. OfferUp

OfferUp is a site that you can use to buy and sell second-hand items locally. However, there is also a free section on the website. You can search through a number of different categories including electronics, home and garden, clothing and shoes, baby stuff, toys, sporting equipment and more. 

6. Craigslist 

Craigstlist is another great resource that you can use to find literally anything, including free stuff. You can visit the website and search for free items in your local area or you can download the app and browse free stuff on your mobile device. 

7. Eventbrite 

Eventbrite is an event management website and app that you can use to find free events in your local area. Of course, not all of the events on Eventbrite are free but you can apply the free filter if you are interested in finding cost-free local activities for you and your family. Whether you are looking for a fun outdoor activity, a cooking class, or even a free yoga session, you can find it on Eventbrite. 

8. Freebies.com 

Okay, so the next two free websites I’m going to recommend might not be local, but they do have some great free stuff that can be sent to you. And, if it’s freebies you’re after, I’d be remiss not to include these sites. Freebies.com has beauty products, free baby diaper samples, or free cleaning product samples, then freebies.com has you covered. All you have to do is sign up for a free membership and then you can start entering freebie.com getaways to win all sorts of free samples and free things.

9. Freebies4Mom.com 

Freebies4Mom is full of…you guessed it, free things for moms! There are also some freebies that your kiddos and partner might enjoy as well. You can find free samples of stuff like deodorant and sign up to win thousands of prizes and giveaways on this site. Find free printable kids games and activities, too. 

10. Starbucks

If you’re a Starbucks fan then I hope you are taking advantage of a complimentary Starbucks coffee on your birthday! If you are a Starbucks Rewards member then you are entitled to a birthday freebie in the form of a handcrafted beverage or a free food item. If your big day is coming up and you aren’t already a Starbucks Rewards member, make sure you sign up at least seven days before your birthday and make one Starbucks purchase to redeem your free birthday drink. 

11. Sephora 

Another store that’s giving out birthday freebies is Sephora. If you are a Beauty Insider then you can redeem a complimentary beauty gift on your birthday. Products range from makeup to skin creams, hair products and more. But, you have to be a Beauty Insider in order to take advantage of this offer, so make sure you sign up. 

12. Free Museum Entrance

If you do a quick google search for “free museum days” and include your local area, you are likely to uncover some results. Many museums offer free entrance on a certain day of the month. For instance, there are several museums in New York that are always free or give you the option to pay what you wish. In addition, you can find free monthly hours at some museums where they might offer free entrance before 11 am on every second Sunday of the month. So, play tourist in your own city and see if you can take advantage of a free visit to your local museum. 

13. Free Entrance to National Parks

If you have a 4th grader then you and your family can experience the country’s national parks completely free of charge. Yes, it’s true. The Every Kid Outdoor pass is available to all 4th-grade students across the country as a way to get them outside and experiencing all of the beauty the country has to offer. This initiative runs from September 1st until August 31st. 

Now Go Find Free Stuff!

There you have it, a list of 13 good places that you can check out to find all sorts of freebies. From kids stuff, to sample cleaning supplies, and everything in between. Check out some of these resources and take advantage of all of the awesome free stuff and free offers you can find!

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[stephenmorehead]

Best Places to Buy Used Kids Clothes Online

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Kids grow so fast! Buying only brand new clothes for your little one can get expensive when they require an entirely new wardrobe every few months. This is why shopping for used kids’ clothing online is a fantastic idea. You can buy gently worn clothes for a fraction of the price it costs to buy new. Plus, buying used clothing is an easy way to support a more sustainable fashion culture. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite online consignment shops for kids’ clothing.  

Best Online Consignment Shops for Used Children’s Clothing

It’s unreal the things you can find in a kids’ online consignment shop. Brand new clothes, unopened toys, strollers, carriers, and everything else you can imagine for your littles. The best part about shopping for used kids’ clothing online is that you can buy everything you need for a fraction of the regular amount you would pay if you bought new. The next best part, you don’t have to leave the house to do it. Just hop online to find everything you need for your little ones. 

After years of shopping both online and in-store at kids consignment shops, I’ve started to compile a list of some of the best online consignment shops I’ve found.

Kidizen

Organic, vintage, sporty, or classic, whatever the style, you can find it on Kidizen. Kidizen offers clothing and other essential items like books and toys for babies, toddlers, kids, and mamas. You can shop for clothes under a certain price point (under $10) or you can shop your favorites kids’ brands for clothing that still has the tags attached. Be aware when you order from Kidizen that all sales are final. You can get a refund if your order was not shipped, if it doesn’t arrive at its destination, or if the order shows up and it’s not what you ordered.

Poshmark

Poshmark offers way more than just kids consignment clothing but it offers a great selection of kids clothes. You can search through popular selections (pink baby dresses), top-selling brands (Carter’s, Disney), or by what’s trending (Care Bears, Sesame Street) to find kids’ clothes, toys, and books. You can even narrow down your search using filters like color choice, price point, and condition (all conditions versus with tags). 

Children’s Orchard

At Children’s Orchard, you can find gently used children’s clothing, shoes, toys, and equipment up to 70% off what you would pay at mall store prices. Shop everything from newborn and infant clothes to kids’ outwear, sleepwear, swimwear, shoes, boots, and even costume and dancewear.

ThreadUP

The ThreadUP website is one of my favorites. It’s super well organized to make shopping as easy as possible. You can shop for kids’ clothes under $10 or even second hand clothes that still have the tags on them. And, if you feel a little left out, there are lots of options for you to choose from on ThredUP as well. ThreadUP carries luxury consignment items with top brand names like Gucci, Burberry, and Diane von Furstenberg. Also, for mamas-to-be, ThreadUP has an amazing selection of stylish maternity clothes. 

Shop Tomorrows

Shop Tomorrows is different from any of the other online thrift stores on this list because it doesn’t require any exchange of money. Instead, you can trade your used clothing in exchange for your next purchase. Simply hop on the website, browse through the clothes, click what you want, and you can pay with tokens that you’ve either earned (by listing and selling items) or by purchasing them. Be aware that there is a $4.99 fee per transaction and a $7 fixed shipping cost. 

Toycycle 

Don’t be thrown by the name, Toycycle is more than just used kids’ toys. You can shop for everything from clothing to toys, and baby gear. Toycycle makes it easy to search for what you need with filters for age (infant to school age), product categories (gear, clothing, clearance), and condition (minor flaws to new). I’ll admit, the Toycycle website isn’t as fancy or high-tech as some of the others ones I’ve listed, but it gets the job done. 

Swap.com

On Swap.com you can find used clothing and shoes for everyone in the family. When shopping for your kiddos you can narrow down your search by looking for new arrivals, items that still have the tags on, or search through clearance items. On Swap.com, you can expect to find items that are up to 90% off retail pricing! If you order some items and don’t love them when they arrive, you have 14 days to send them back and shop.com will take care of the return shopping. And, all orders over $75 come with free shipping. It’s hard not to love swap.com.  

Facebook Marketplace

I couldn’t have a list of online kids consignment shops without including Facebook Marketplace. Not only have I purchased a considerable amount of children’s clothing from this resource but, I’ve also sold a ton of kids’ stuff using Marketplace. You can really find anything on Facebook Marketplace. Simply type in your search term or use categories like price, item condition, or brand. With Facebook Marketplace you can find local sellers and go and pick up the item in person or, you can have items shipped to you.

Benefits of Buying Used Kids Clothes Online

With so many amazing online consignment stores, you never need to go over budget when shopping for your kids’ clothes again. You can find new and gently used items for a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a mall store.

While you’re online shopping for used kids’ clothes, you can also consider selling some of your old clothes. If you find that your closets are getting stuffed full of kids’ clothes and shoes that no longer fit, why not list them online. You can clean out your space and also make some extra money while you’re at it.

Related: How to sell used toys

There are so many benefits linked to online consignment shopping. Not only can you get everything you need without breaking your budget, but it’s also better for the environment. And, my favorite part about shopping for children’s clothing online, you can do it from the comfort of your own living room. It’s a real win-win-win scenario! So, what are you waiting for? Try out some of these online used kids clothing stores and let me know which ones you like the most.

— By Jessica Martel

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[stephenmorehead]

Are Walmart Tires Actually a GOOD Deal…Let’s Break It All Down

Since you found this article you’re probably thinking of buying your next set of tires from Walmart. My grandpa used to tell me to NEVER scrimp on the things between you and the ground….namely shoes, mattresses, and TIRES. Seemed like decent advise at the time, but over the years I’ve learned first-hand just how great […]

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[stephenmorehead]

Does The Home Depot Offer an Employee Discount?

Having donned the orange apron in my younger years, I’m quite familiar with whether or not The Home Depot offers an employee discount. But even more than that, I want to breakdown all of the job perks and benefits that The Home Depot offers so you can decide if applying at the home improvement giant […]

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