Author: kimberly

As you’re getting into the groove of homemaking, eventually you will stumble across the issue of buying clothes. I don’t mean that homemaking requires a particular kind of clothing; it doesn’t. (That’s a huge benefit, in my opinion!)

I just mean that at some point, you will need to buy more clothing — and you may need to make some adjustments to your previous methods!

If you’ve been working and living on your own, you might be used to spending as much as you like on clothes, and buying garments that suit your job, social life, and hobbies.

Then when you become a homemaker, you might find yourself with a closet full of clothes that no longer seem to fit your lifestyle. Add to that the fact that you’re probably on a budget now. (And even if budgets aren’t new to you, becoming a homemaker changes them!)

Suddenly, you find yourself looking for ways to spend less on clothing, while still dressing well.

Buying cheaply made clothing might seem like the simple answer, but it’s not the best one. Cheap clothing wears out quickly, and needs to be replaced much sooner than quality garments. 

But those high quality pieces can cost a pretty penny, can’t they? Is there a way to find durable, well-made clothing without spending $$$ on your wardrobe? 

There is, my friend! But the shopping method is different, so listen carefully.

Used vs. New

When you’re shopping for clothing that will last, it might seem like new clothing is much better to buy than used. After all, clothing does wear out, and laundering takes a toll on all clothing even if it’s not heavily worn.

Sometimes you find brand name clothing at secondhand stores, but it’s just plain worn out. Don’t buy those! Use your judgment, and follow these tips whether you’re buying new or used.

How to spot quality clothing

All garments are not created equal. Cheap materials or construction make an item much more likely to wear out faster. Learn how to notice these signs of quality, whether you’re shopping at thrift stores or a brand new boutique.

It’s in the seams

Examine the stitching on an item before you buy it. Are there loose threads hanging out? Hems coming loose (or not fully finished)? If you tug gently along the seam, does the fabric around it stretch much more than the stitching? This could cause it to rip out easily.

Know your material

If you’re shopping used, what is the condition of the fabric? Is it pilled, stained, or scuffed? Is the garment stretched out of shape? Does it appear shrunken?

The type of material matters, too. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool tend to wear better and hold up to washing better than synthetic materials. Elastic fibers can break down over time, making garments lose their shape after repeated washings. 

A good rule of thumb if you’re looking for garments that will keep their shape for a long time is to opt for woven fabrics over stretchy ones. Of course, a well-crafted knitted wool sweater may hold up for years. But a clingy top made of fine-gauge polyester is much more likely to snag or get stretched out.

Do your homework on brands

I don’t shop based on brand names, but I do take them into consideration. If you know that a particular brand makes poor quality garments, stay away from them! Well known, trusted brands have a reputation to keep up, so they are usually a better bet for quality.

However, many companies are outsourcing their manufacturing, and the quality of their products may not be what it once was. I have chiefly noticed this in footwear. Sometimes companies will keep one line of products USA-made, and the rest will be outsourced for cheaper labor.

It is worthwhile to do your research on this, particularly if you are considering investing in quality wardrobe staples that you want to wear for years.

A word on clothing styles

When you’re shopping for clothes on a budget, quality isn’t the only consideration. Trends are fun, but how long do they last? Sometimes only for a season; sometimes a few years. If you find a quality garment in a trendy style, the garment is likely to last longer than the trend.

Now, I’m not saying you can’t have your own particular style, or follow fashion trends at all! But we homemakers do need to be practical, and consider the overall composition of our closets.

Before you take home that cold-shoulder sweater, think about how likely you are to wear it three or four years from now. Do you really want to fill your closet with clothing that will look dated in a few years?

Alternatively, consider buying classic styles and silhouettes — at least for wardrobe basics. If you can find high-quality basics in timeless styles that will last for years, you’re golden. Then you can always fill in the gaps with a trendy top or accessories that suit your style.

For more tips on buying used clothes, read Samantha’s article on thrifting quality pieces. I found it very helpful.

Finding a great price

Now that you know how to pick out quality garments, it’s time to talk about price. Remember how I said that used isn’t always better than new? Here’s why.

Secondhand stores vary widely in price and selection. Some thrift stores are part of national chains, while others are local shops. Consignment shops usually sell higher quality garments than other thrift stores, but their prices will also be higher. Shops advertising vintage or antique clothing will likely have even higher prices. 

Thrift Stores

The area where the store is located plays a big role in selection, and sometimes prices. Thrift shops in more expensive locales tend to carry higher-quality (and less worn) garments than their counterparts in poorer sections of town. 

In places where the demand for used clothing is higher, the prices will be higher; and vice versa. Where I live, there are no large-scale clothing manufacturers, so all new clothing comes with an added shipping expense.

This drives up the value of used clothing in our local thrift store — so much that I rarely shop there! When used clothing prices run 60-80% of retail prices, that’s a good indication that you should look elsewhere. You would be better off shopping department store sales, at that rate.

If your thrift store prices are high, or the selection is mostly poor quality and well-worn items, where else can you find clothes?

Consignment Stores

Consignment stores can be a good option, if there are any near you. Their prices are usually higher than thrift store prices — to begin with. Consignment stores often mark down items that aren’t moving, especially towards the end of a season. I have scored great deals on high quality garments by browsing consignment stores.

They are particularly good sources for shoes, unless you wear larger sizes. Consignment store shoes tend to be in much better condition than the ones you find at thrift stores.

Online Consignment Stores

Another option to try is thredUP, an online consignment store. They have a HUGE selection, from department store brands to designer labels. Their prices vary widely by brand: the more popular brands command higher prices.

I have purchased from them several times, and am very satisfied with their service. It is a good way to find higher quality, gently worn items at much lower prices than the new stores.

There are shipping and return costs to consider, so I am very careful about which items I purchase from them. I stick with brands that I already have in my closet, so I know the quality of their garments and how their sizes fit.

The downside of online retailers like thredUP is that you can’t feel the garment and examine its craftsmanship before buying. That’s one reason why it’s good to stick with brands you trust.

thredUP does have an option to order a box of ten garments, with free shipping and free returns — minus a $10 deposit that goes toward the price of any garments you decide to keep. This option sounds like a pretty good deal to me, and the only reason I haven’t done it is that it’s not available for Alaska!

Click here for $10 off your first thredUP order!

Etsy

To round out my list of used clothing sources, we can’t forget Etsy. Since Etsy is a platform for handmade and vintage merchandise, you will see some high prices.

But if you’re looking for a specific item and are having trouble finding it in thrift stores, Etsy is where I look next. Again, there are shipping costs to consider, and not all sellers accept returns.

Shop the sales on new clothing

I’ve talked mostly about used clothing, since that is mostly what I buy. However, shopping for quality clothes on a budget doesn’t automatically exclude purchasing new.

You can find great prices on new goods that are on sale, if you look hard enough. This takes dedication, patience, and focus (no getting sidetracked by the full-price styles!), but it can pay off big time and land you some great new pieces.

You can track the sales at department stores, online retailers, or your favorite boutique. The best sales tend to be after the midpoint of the season, but many stores also run holiday sales.

Always check to see if you can stack coupons on top of sale-priced or clearance items for extra savings. Some stores have loyalty programs which include exclusive coupons or rewards for members.

Classy Loft

I want to just mention Classy Loft as a source for new clothes that are pretty, classy, and modest. I have been satisfied with the quality of their garments, and I like to support businesses which celebrate modesty and true femininity.

While their prices are higher than I like to spend most of the time, they do run good sales!

Shabby Apple

If you’re willing to spend a little more for quality modest garments, I recommend Shabby Apple. I have not purchased from them yet, but I’ve been swooning over their dresses and skirts for years!

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That’s it! For more about dressing like a homemaker, make sure to read my homemaker dress code. Don’t forget your apron!

Happy homemaking!

~Kimberly

I love this old housekeeper’s rhyme, but it doesn’t quite fit my lifestyle. I don’t have any cows, so I’m not churning cream on Thursdays.

However, the concept of each day having its own task appeals to me. It’s simple and easy to remember. It makes each day a little different, and interesting. It sets a rhythm to a homemaker’s life, so that the days slip along quietly and home life is orderly.

Are you ready to set up your own housekeeping schedule? It’s easier than you might think! Just grab a pen and paper, or scroll down to download my pretty housekeeping templates. They’re free!

Not quite convinced? Read this article on the benefits of a weekly housekeeping routine!

How to divide your housekeeping schedule

You will want to divide your housekeeping schedule into three categories: for daily, weekly, and occasional tasks. I like to make two schedules: my basic housekeeping schedule has daily and weekly tasks. It’s short and simple, and I pretty much follow it every week.

The other schedule lists tasks that don’t need to be done as often: things like cleaning the washing machine or window screens. Some of these should be done more frequently than others, so I divide that schedule into monthly, seasonal, and annual tasks.

I put the most thought into the weekly schedule, as you will see. The daily chores are already habitual, so I don’t really need a reminder. The occasional chores can always be done later if necessary. But the weekly chores need to be done every single week, and if they’re forgotten or postponed, I really get behind.

That’s why this housekeeping schedule is so helpful to me: it fits my life and reminds me what I need to focus on each day in order to keep my home clean and running smoothly.

Daily tasks

Let’s start with the daily tasks. I keep my list short and sweet: wash the dishes, cook the meals, sweep the floor, and tidy. You could also list other chores like making beds and wiping down kitchen counters if you like.

Weekly tasks

Weekly tasks include laundry, ironing, vacuuming, meal planning, grocery shopping, baking bread, cleaning the kitchen, cleaning the bathrooms, mopping the floors, going through papers, and paying bills.

You might have other chores to add to this list, or do some of the listed chores more than once; I wash diapers twice a week in addition to the previous list.

You might need to clean bathrooms or vacuum more than once per week if your house gets a lot of traffic! I tend to vacuum as needed during the week, but keeping it on my schedule helps me to remember it when things get busy.

Planning your weekly schedule

How do you know which tasks to do on which days? Ah, that is the most important part of a weekly housekeeping routine! This is the deciding factor for whether or not you’ll stick to a schedule.

What works for me won’t necessarily work well for you, and vice versa. You really just have to keep trying until you find a schedule that makes sense to you and works with your life.

I’ve seen some schedules that tell you to clean one room per day. Well, that would be pretty silly for me to adopt, since our cabin has one main living space plus a bathroom!

Other routines break the housekeeping down into 5 or 10 tasks for each day. That’s fine for some people, but I would rather pick one large task and get it done, rather than rush around from one thing to the next all day.

Also, my days are not all the same. I plan one day per week to run errands and grocery shop, so I make that day intentionally light on housework. If your family is home more on the weekends, you might wish to make Saturday light on housework — or schedule chores for other people to help with.

Keep your schedule flexible, and be ready to amend it if the first attempt doesn’t quite work out. Trial and error will help you determine which tasks suit your Monday mood, and which ones are better for Fridays! 

Expect changes and stay flexible!

One important point to remember is that your schedule will likely change over the years. You don’t have to find a routine that will stay the same for the rest of your life! I’ve had a weekly housekeeping schedule posted in my kitchen for about three years, and I’ve already changed it twice. Things change. Just stay flexible!

One interesting tip I’ve heard is to save your favorite task for your least favorite day. That’s a curious concept to me, since I don’t have a least favorite day! But you can try that if you like.

I do save baking (which is my favorite task) until Saturdays, but that’s for practical purposes: I don’t want to bake on Sundays, and I don’t want to run out of bread by Monday morning when I’m packing my husband’s lunch!

This is what I mean when I say trial and error is the best way to learn. For years, I baked bread and washed the laundry on Mondays. But then my Mondays were too full, I rarely finished the laundry by suppertime, and I was stressed and grumpy by the end of the day.

If at first you don’t succeed, sit back and think about what’s not working. Then change things slightly, and try again.

Monthly Tasks

Which tasks should be done once a month? Ovens, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaner filters should be cleaned every month. In addition to those, I balance the checkbook, review the budget and expenditures, and tackle any mending that’s waiting for me. Some people recommend cleaning your washing machine every month. I clean mine about every three months, so it goes on my seasonal list.

Seasonal Tasks

These chores need to be done every three to six months: clean washing machine, wash windows, rotate mattress, clean pantry, organize cupboards, clean light fixtures, organize closet, and switch out seasonal clothing. If you have children, you will also need to switch out clothing sizes as they grow.

Annual Tasks

Spring cleaning is when I tackle such chores as cleaning window screens, washing walls, and cleaning carpets. You may prefer to do them at a different time, but they should happen once a year!

Housekeeping Schedule Templates

You made it to the templates! I had fun creating these pretty printables, and I hope you will enjoy them. There are two copies of the Weekly Housekeeping Schedule: one is blank, and the other is filled in with my own schedule as an example.

The third template is for occasional housekeeping tasks. I keep this posted to remind me what needs to happen each month or season. As you can see on my weekly schedule, I try to complete one rotating task each week on Thursdays, since that day tends to be light on housework.

My weekly schedule isn’t exactly the same as the old rhyme at the beginning of the article, but it’s pretty close! Here’s my amended routine: 

Have fun filling out your own housekeeping schedule! I hope these templates help you to organize your household tasks and feel more confident in your housekeeping!

Happy homemaking!

~Kimberly