I am always looking for great deals on clothing. With two young children, it is a necessity! So here are a few ways I have found to save money on clothing purchases throughout the year.

Never Pay Full Retail Price For ANYTHING!! That is my mantra. Go when there is a sale. Use coupons. Buy clearance. Ask for discounts on less than perfect merchandise. Ask for military or senior citizen discounts if they apply to you. Or all of the above. And buying off-season will save you alot of grief when the time comes.

Go To Thrift Stores!! It's not going to hurt your ego. Alot of fine, upstanding citizens frequent thrift stores. Nobody is staring at you. Besides, it's fun! You can find excellent quality, gently used (and sometimes Brand New With Tags!) name brand items at wonderful prices. I recently purchased a sweater by Express for my husband at the thrift store for .99 cents!!! I have also bought a pair of real leather pants for .99 cents. Find out when the specials are and go on those days. My thrift store (I call it mine-I love going there!) has half-price Mondays on everything and on Wednesdays ALL the clothing with certain colored tags are .99 cents. This is great for the pocketbook!! I never buy my children's clothes at department stores. I think I can truthfully say that the thrift store has saved me from going broke these past few years.

YARD SALES!! Generally the yard sale has a lower quality ratio as far as clothes are concerned, but they are fun and many times you will get lucky in your search. And for only .25 cents to $5, who cares? You got it at a steal!

Consignment Stores are more pricey than thrift stores and yard sales, and there are many that sell only excellent quality clothing. There are others, though, that sell yard sale quality merchandise. Find a nice one and go there every once in awhile. I have found that I can usually get all I need from the thrift stores and the occasional yard sale.

eBay!!! Yes, I am an addict. But chances are, so are you. You can find great deals on clothing, but be watchful, vigilant. You will almost always get a better deal on lots than single pieces. You can also find rare and hard to find items everywhere on eBay. I am getting my son the wide shoes he needs on eBay, without having to drive all over town and spending a whole lot of money. I am also getting the leotard my daughter needs for her Halloween costume here on eBay, because it's just impossible for me to find it anywhere else.

And if you MUST go to the malls or department stores at all (I rarely do), just walk right past the displays of new clothes. Don't even glance at it. Always head straight for the clearance section. There you will always find better prices on those name brands. Go to after the season sales, too. I've found a few stores in particular that have rock bottom prices on items that would normally "break the bank" during peak season. Just look around and see what you can find.

Remember, Never Pay Full Retail Price for ANYTHING!!!!!