I Should be ashamed for asking about used uniforms, Oh Pleeez

**PuddingPop** · 07-23-2008, 01:25 PM

My son attends a Charter school that requires uniforms and my daughter will start kindergarten there in Sept. so I have quite a few uniforms to buy. There is only one supplier in town that sells the uniform sweaters with the school logo and they are way over priced.

By the middle of every school year the school accumulates lots of sweaters and vests in their lost and found. The ones that are labeled correctly are returned to the proper students but the majority of these perfectly good sweaters go unclaimed for the remainder of the year. A former principal used to take them home , wash then, and donate them to students who need them. They once even had a sale and sold them for about $10 to raise money for the PTA. These sweaters run $40-$50 depending on the size. The new principal didnt do any of this this school year.

When I went to register my daughter Monday I asked what would be done with the unclaimed things from this year . Well today the secretary called me at work and told me a staff member had taken them home to wash and they should be back next week. She said she'll call me then and I could come and take whatever I need. Well of course I was thrilled and I thought my fiance would be too but when I told him he said I should be ashamed of myself for asking about the uniforms and that the school must be thinking all kinds of things about us now. I told him I really dont care what the think. If I can get my hands on perfectly gooD school sweaters and vests for free instead of spendind $100 per child for them, then i'll continue to ask every year.

Just to put this in perspective people, he also doesn't want me going to the thrift store anymore because someone we know might see me in there. Well if they see me in there then that means they're shopping there too so what could they say. He just does not get it.

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-23-2008, 01:28 PM

BAH! Nothing wrong with used school uniforms! To me, even if you are against used clothing, this is something very specific (and expensive) that to me, should be recycled! I have always thought the schools should have a uniform "recycling" program. Where kids can pass on last years uniforms and get new ones for this year, from the kids in the higher grades!

Who cares what they think. These days, being frugal is getting "cooler", so they probably won't think too much of it!

**angelbumpkin** · 07-23-2008, 01:36 PM

My twins go to a uniform school. I am all for recycling perfectly good clothes. Our school actually accepts used uniforms for families in needs or if a kid has an accident.

**itsahumanzoo** · 07-23-2008, 01:38 PM

I don't think you should be ashamed at all! You (and your husband) should be proud that you are savvy enough to find a way around having to pay full price for those uniforms! Good job!

**xtena** · 07-23-2008, 01:40 PM

Oh puh-leaze. Good for you for recycling uniforms, there is no shame in that. It's better for the environment AND the pocketbook. I can afford new clothes but I prefer the thrill of the thrift store hunt and I NEVER say no when someone offers me a bag of clothes for my daughter. What we can't use, someone else will. I'd actually be happy if someone I knew saw me in the thrift store as it would just mean we think and shop alike.

**YankeeMom** · 07-23-2008, 01:46 PM

I think your fiance needs a money-saving wake up call

NOTHING wrong with asking about used uniforms. If he is offended at the "pinching pennies" aspect, present it in another way...you are saving the planet by reusing these uniforms. They won't end up in a landfill, etc.

**Michelle68** · 07-23-2008, 01:48 PM

Heck, I would've done the same thing! You don't have anything at all the be ashamed of, I'm sure there are others who have asked about it too. It's too bad that your fiance is so concerned about what others think. If the secretary thought badly about you, she wouldn't have called and offered you the sweaters.

--Michelle

**frugalfriend** · 07-23-2008, 01:51 PM

I say, more power to ya!

Nothing wrong with saving a bunch of money on uniforms! My kids used to attend a school where they wore uniforms and twice a year they had a uniform sale/exchange. You could exchange your gently worn uniforms for bigger sizes or buy them for very inexpensively. All schools who utilize uniforms should do this!!! I volunteered to work at the sale. It was a huge success and everyone loved it, and the school made some money too. I hardly had to buy my kids anything, just exchanged for bigger sizes!

**Greebo** · 07-23-2008, 01:54 PM

DANGER! DANGER! Your future husband suffers from "FollowJonesItis!" This debilitating disease can cripple your financial future due to the following exhibited symptoms: newcaritis, boatitis, newclothingitis, and carandorhousepooritis. Commonly referred to as "Keeping up with the Joneses", FollowJonesitis is a very serious illness that can lead to failed marriages. Effective treatment and rehabilitation can take years.

You have been warned: See your local Pre-Marital Counselor today, and help immunize yourself against FollowJonesitis with eating right, regular exercise, and daily DaveRamsey Supplements.

**frugalfriend** · 07-23-2008, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

You have been warned: See your local Pre-Marital Counselor today, and help immunize yourself against FollowJonesitis with eating right, regular exercise, and daily DaveRamsey Supplements.

ROFL! I got my daily supplement today!

**geckoace** · 07-23-2008, 02:05 PM

i just posted about the cost of uniforms last week and was happy to find that our school offers donated unis for $5/ item.

my DH was also THRILLED. its silly to spend $100 when you can spend 30 or whatever.

**shoiji** · 07-23-2008, 02:18 PM

Pretty funny Greebo! There is nothing wrong with what you did. It is the smart thing to do. All I could think about is why don't they have some kind of swap meet. Hope you can get you finance onboard with being frugal because it really could cause problems down the road. Anyway, great for you for finding a bargain!

**PuddingPop** · 07-23-2008, 02:47 PM

Thanks everyone. I know i'm not the crazy one. I'll be picking up the sweaters next week and i'm not the least bit ashamed either. I'll also suggest that the school starts a swap program or holds another sale.

**cab54** · 07-23-2008, 02:50 PM

Whaaaat? Our Catholic school (uniforms) used to even have an organized SALE at the end of every school year, for people to 'pass down' clothes at a reasonable price! Like a uniform resale or consignment shop. I had two boys, so I was lucky and saved a lot there, passing own from one to another. But I would difinitely go for the mark downs or freebies. Also, our school was not picky if your navy blue pants were from a different 'line' than the uniform company, as long as they weren't too far off on color/style. Good thing. My boys were in adult sizes at age 10!

**PuddingPop** · 07-23-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

DANGER! DANGER! Your future husband suffers from "FollowJonesItis!" This debilitating disease can cripple your financial future due to the following exhibited symptoms: newcaritis, boatitis, newclothingitis, and carandorhousepooritis. Commonly referred to as "Keeping up with the Joneses", FollowJonesitis is a very serious illness that can lead to failed marriages. Effective treatment and rehabilitation can take years.

You have been warned: See your local Pre-Marital Counselor today, and help immunize yourself against FollowJonesitis with eating right, regular exercise, and daily DaveRamsey Supplements.

I'm afraid your right. He seems to have the world's worst case of this horrible ailment