I'm fixing next week to start the biannual clothing tradeout.  Starting with Lydia (age 4) and moving up the line I'll be removing all the clothes from the dressers.  Packing away the winter clothes either to give away or keep for next winter, throwing away the stuff that is too worn.  This has got to be my most dreaded regular task.  It takes me approximately a month to finish working at about 4 or so hours a week.

   But I save lots and lots of money this way.  I know this isn't a new hint but it must be the one that saves us the MOST money every year.  I gratefully accept all the hand me down clothes that I am offered.  I sort through them immediately giving away things we will NEVER use.  I divide the rest by season and sort through them by size as that season rolls around.  The only things I ever buy are socks, shoes and underwear and even then we are given some underwear and shoes that work for us.  (I hope used underwear doesn't gross anyone out...I DO wash it first!)

   I haven't bought a handbag in 15 years.  I was given a stack of purses many years ago, barely used.  I sorted through them, gave away the ones that I would never use.  As I wear out a purse I just pick another one from the stack.  Now I'm down to colors and sizes that I'm not particularly happy with...so it might be time to buy one.  The ones that are left won't hold my daytimer or Bible.

   I'm not sure what the national average for clothing purchases is.  But last week the kids were working on banking in math in the Abeka curriculum.  They were recording checks in a check register and making budgets.  The example had them budgeting something near a thousand dollars for one person for clothing.  Both teens thought that was WAY out of line.  We figured out that for all 8 of us we spend less than $500 a year on shoes and clothing.

  So I will attempt to remember how much money I'm saving as I sort through boxes of clothes in the basement for hours and hours over the next month.  Check out the rest of the hints for this weeks Tightwad Tuesday, sponsored by Canadagirl.