Secondhand Solace

Am I the only one that feels like raising children is one of the most (if not the most) expensive endeavours in life?  It seems our bank account hasn't quite had the same level of...comfort, shall we say, as it has in past years. 
Minimal compensation from the government while on maternity leave, education, diapers, food, clothing, childminding... everything is SO expensive and it just builds from there the older they get.  Daycare alone can be as much as a mortgage payment or more!  
Sadly (I'm not sad, though some of you might be), we're not all breastfeeding, cloth-diapering, clothing-making parents and we are paying the price! 
There are numerous changes we can make and ways to ensure your children have everything they need without buggering your bank account, but one that has made the biggest financial impact for us is purchasing secondhand (or dare I say used) clothing and selling our outgrown kiddie clothes on consignment. 
You would be amazed by the adorable children's clothes you can find in second hand and consignment shops!  
We have literally saved thousands of dollars just by buying used kid's clothes...but you have to be picky!  I have learned that if you get into the habit of just buying things because they're cheap you don't save as much in the end because you end up buying clothes that you don't necessarily like and don't end up putting on your pint-sized trendsetter! 
Even if you're a parent who is concerned with your children's fashion forwardness you can still have secondhand success. 
Here are some pics of our styling little men in some recent secondhand finds from some of our local shops. 

I know Calvin looks angry but I assure you he's thrilled about his H&M slim fit grey jeans that we got for $3 and usually retail for $19.

We paid $1 for this Joe Fresh winter had and it still had the tags on!  It retailed for around $8.  His coat is by Zara.  We paid $12 and it retailed for around $70!

This Gap knitted one piece jumper was $3 and was about $25 new.  Calvin wore this too so we're getting a lot for our $3!

This Gap hat was $1 and retailed originally for about $20.  His chords are from Gap and were $4.  They're about $30 new.  His shoes were $5 and retailed for about $24 at Children's Place (and they're leather!). 

These super comfy lounge pants ended up costing me $1 each at a 50% off sale at Value Village!  I have no idea where they're from or how much they would be new but I'm sure they were more than $1!

This super gorgeous sweater was $10 and retailed for about $40 at the Gap.  Love the kangaroo pouch (and the grumpy face is pretty cute)!

This awesome long-sleeved fox T was $4 but retailed for about $24 at the Gap. 

This Queen T-shirt was (if I remember correctly) .25 cents!  I have to add that the yellow pants are from Dollarama for $1 :). 

This hat and scarf combo (there are matching mitts too) was an awesome second hand pressie from a great friend.  I'm pretty sure the set was only a few dollars! (and there's that Zara coat again!)

Calvin's gorgeous Gap sweater was only $10 and originally retailed for around $35. 

And finally, this amazing find.  These Minnetonka baby moccasin booties were only $10!  They retail for around $30 and I'm pretty sure they've never been worn (that includes by my babes). 

These magnificent moccs are up for grabs!  As long as you don't mind second-hand (after reading this post how could you be!?).  They are a size 1 but are more the length of a size 2.  They have a low instep (which is why my children never wore them). 
All you have to do is leave a comment here on the blog and tell me why you want them!  There's also a way to enter via Instagram.  Follow me @jennifersaraledlow to find out how!