Start by shopping at the end of fashion seasons when the sales are likely to be at their best. This means you can get great winter clothes during the summer (which, let’s face it, you’re still likely to need in this country), and vice versa. This may not always work for teenagers, as you may not have access to all of the styles and sizes that they are after, but you can still keep your financial and family wellness intact by shopping in mid-season sales.
Also, make eBay your new best friends as you can get impressive finds with an internet auction. Even if you have doubts about buying second-hand, many businesses bulk-buy items and sell them on eBay and other websites, so it can still be a great source to boost the wellbeing of your bank balance. Make sure you read the item description thoroughly to ensure it’s the right size and returnable, and factor in the cost of postage and packaging – you might want to consider bulk buying from one seller to save on these costs.
While you’re online, why don’t you see if you are near a local FreeCycle group? In these online communities, people barter and exchange, or even give away unwanted stuff. For example, if you have old baby clothes, someone else may want them and will give you toddler clothes for them. You’d be surprised by the level of quality that is on this site, as well as the range of items available.
Finally, help your kids improve their sense of confidence, identity and other parts of their mental wellness by encouraging them to develop their own style. Vintage is very in at the moment, and you tend to find great items in vintage shops from people who buy these items on impulse but never really use them. If all else fails, get creative and make your old outfits look new with a few accessories.