COUPON QUEEN: Shopping tips for children's clothing

I have three easygoing boys, especially when talking about clothes. My oldest couldn't care less about what he wears, my middle son loves to thrift shop, and my youngest has to be reminded repeatedly to stop wearing the same clothes day after day (I promise he has a closet full of clothes). Whether your kids want the latest styles or choose comfort over fashion, here are a few ways that I save money on kids clothes. Shop off-season sales I scoured the clearance racks just this past weekend. Retailers often offer deep discounts on seasonal clothing to make room for new inventory, so this is the time to stock up. I spotted long-sleeved shirts for only $1 and heavy-duty winter gloves for 50 cents. Buying clothes for the upcoming season clearance sales will score you significant savings. I use this method to buy clothes for the whole family, and we save a bundle. Second-hand stores Thrift shopping can be fun. You'll find gently used children's clothing for a fraction of the cost of new items. Best of all, I often find name-brand shirts and pants for pennies on the dollar. I usually have a running list on my phone of items that my boys need so I can thrift shop with a purpose. Having this list of items saves me a lot of time. Be sure to check for wear on clothing before purchasing, as not all items found are a good deal. Also, check all of the sections when looking for specific items. For instance, I can shop in the men's department for items I'm seeking for myself, such as PJ pants, oversized hoodies, and even T-shirts. You'll find more deals if you broaden your search. Coupons and discounts My middle son loves to shop at thrift stores, but he also likes stores such as Hollister, Vineyard Vines and Aeropostale. To save money, I subscribe to emails from his favorite stores. When I notice a deep discount, we'll shop in-store or online. Recently, Hollister had $10 T-shirts, which is more than half price. I was alerted to this sale from an email that I wouldn't have known any other way. Mix and match For my youngest, I try to buy clothes that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Since he cares the least about what he wears, I often purchase basics like solid-colored tops and bottoms that can be paired in many ways to create new looks. This makes it much easier for him to find something to wear that matches and maximizes the value of each clothing piece. You can save money on kids clothes without compromising quality or style. This week's deal Here's a deal to grab this week at WalgreensBuy 2 Garnier Fructis Hair Care Products 2/$8 + $4 Cash RewardsUse the $3 off 2 coupon found on the Walgreens app or websitePay $5Get back $4 Cash RewardsFinal cost $1 total – just 50 cents each! Rachel Krych is passionate about helping others spend less and save more. In addition to her weekly column, she has a blog, Couponing With Rachel, which earns her compensation from Google for ads it places there and from entertainment marketers whose promotional codes she touts. She doesn't write about entertainment in her column. Email her at couponingwithrachel@hotmail.com.