Maybe Next Winter?

We are experiencing a really weird weather this year.  Looks like this is the first year, in a very long time, this place hasn't had snow yet till now. It's almost in the middle of December, and it feels just like spring.  I'm kind of sad because I really do want to experience a white Christmas this year.  Although I really am not looking forward to celebrating Christmas, I just want it to snow.  I know I have said it so many times before, that I hate it when it gets too cold because I am not used to it, but I didn't mean for it to actually not totally snow when we're already supposed to be getting some.  What is going on in the world?  It seems like it's changing every year - and the change is actually scaring me.

Anyway, I was kind of hoping to get a really nice winter coat this year since I really haven't bought one before.  I decided to hold off because I was pregnant during the first winter, and last year, I still had some "baby weight" left, so I chose not to buy something yet.  I didn't want to go for a bigger size coat knowing that I could still lose some pounds, which I had, that's why I'm glad I held off when I did.  I was looking forward to getting one this year, but looks like I might not be needing it at all.  Too bad because I was looking at this  patagonia tres parka coat, and it's really nice and durable one.  I know it's a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.  I mean, it's perfect for the coldest times of the year because it's waterproof and windproof.  And the Wind Chill factor during winter?  Oh, that's the killer right there!  The wind is what makes it even more colder, especially when it's snowing, that's why a really nice coat is a must.  And if you want a nice one, you know you have to really spend on it.  But, I honestly think it's not splurging money if you want to buy something nice because you actually need it, not because you just want to have it for other purposes.

Well, if not now, maybe some other time.  Or, I can still go ahead and get one and just hold on to it till I need it.  Yet again, maybe not.  For the meantime, I'll settle with what I have.  Anyway, like what I said, we still haven't had snow yet, and looks like we're not be getting any, so I really am not worried about going out in layers of clothes right now.  We'll see here in the next couple of weeks, though.

Thrifted Toddler Clothes

Do you always buy new clothes for your kids even if you know they outgrow them pretty quickly?  Are you that type who wants everything "new", especially when it comes to clothing?  Have you considered buying from a thrift store knowing you could save a lot but still get quality clothes for your young ones?

My husband and I started buying thrifted clothes for the kids when we had our second son.  Kai, being the first, got a lot of new stuff.  In fact, he's got so much that he didn't even get to use a lot of them.  So, when we found out that we were having another boy,  we didn't buy a lot anymore.  Kaden ended up using his older brother's clothes instead.  Since then, if we only need something seasonal, like for example, winter clothes, we don't usually buy new ones anymore.  The only new winter outfits we bought were fleece coats.  But of course, when we had a girl, we had to buy new clothes for her, since, obviously, she can't wear her older brothers' old clothing.  But now that she's getting bigger, we buy her thrifted clothes as well.  This will be her second winter and she didn't really have a lot of warm outfits that still fit her, so we ended up getting her warm clothes from the thrift store.  That's another thing we did this past weekend.  After the boys had their haircut, we all went grocery shopping, and before we went home, we stopped by at the Kids' store to buy them winter clothes.  For just a little over $30, we were able to buy a hoodie for Kaden, 2 long sleeve shirts and a pair of pants for Kai (he's tall for his age, so most of his old ones have been outgrown now, and his younger brother is using them), and 3 hoodies with pants and leggings for our little girl.  Such a great deal for a couple of kids' clothes, isn't it?  And the condition of the clothes?  Well, let me put it this way.  If the store isn't a thrift store, I probably would think that they're brand new.  I think these clothes came from families who bought their kids a lot of new clothes that they never got to really wear all of them till they were outgrown and had to get rid of them.  They really are pretty nice for a second hand!  We might go back there and look for some other stuff.  It was just a quick trip that's why we never really got to look around.

I really don't mind buying second hand items as long as they're in good condition.  If we can save money that way, I'm all for it.