Shoes Frugal - How?

**imagine** · 12-17-2008, 06:08 PM

My Son just spurted and skipped a shoe size.

I have spent $60 on shoes ( sneakers and boots) for Son in the past two weeks. At Payless Shoes no less. We missed the B1G1 half price sale. As we only thought he needed sneakers (not boots or dress shoes) Still would have had to spend $50 or so on shoes that he is going to apparently outgrow fast.

Now he is in men's shoes. Are they all this expensive?

We only have one thrift shop that sales men size shoes (Salvation Army) and there are almost always none there and those that are are very well worn.

Words fail me. So my question is Shoes .. Him... Frugal... How?

**nvmommyx6** · 12-17-2008, 06:23 PM

We have 6 kids and they are going through shoes like mad alot too!
The 1 thrift store thing poses a problem because I was going to suggest thrift stores!!
Is there another town worth driving to that has more thrift stores maybe?

**nuisance26** · 12-17-2008, 06:26 PM

~What I like to do is to try on shoes at the store and then order the ones I liked online. You can easily compare prices on Google's 'shopping' section using the product # or brand/model of the shoes. You can usually save 50% or more.~

**imagine** · 12-17-2008, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by nvmommyx6

We have 6 kids and they are going through shoes like mad alot too!
The 1 thrift store thing poses a problem because I was going to suggest thrift stores!!
Is there another town worth driving to that has more thrift stores maybe?

The big city over an hour drive on a toll road has a Goodwill and a Salvation Army. We make it there about twice a year (maybe three) I haven't seen many Men's shoes there, Lots of Women's shoes but not many Men's. But I will always check when I head that way.

**Marie78** · 12-17-2008, 06:49 PM

Wow! I would check out the clearance section when you are in stores and maybe when you are in thrift stores or yard saling anticipate his feet growing again and plan ahead by keeping a size or 2 bigger on hand. I know he might skip a size so I would only buy if I found a great deal. It still can't be more than having to buy brand new.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-17-2008, 06:54 PM

Shoes do cost a lot, however for our family it's worth it. Good shoes are worth it. You'll have a lot less trouble later in life if you spend a bit more when they are younger. I won't purchase shoes from a thrift store because they are formed to fit the person's foot who had them before. I do love thrift stores, however that's one area I won't even consider.

**brennasmom** · 12-17-2008, 08:25 PM

How about going up a 1/2 size or so from what he takes... Might make the shoes last longer.

**zakity** · 12-17-2008, 11:15 PM

Last summer, I went to one of those BOGO1/2off sales at Payless. I bought a 9 1/2 (mens) and a 11 mens for my 12 year old. He is wearing the 9 1/2 right now and when he grows out of it, we have the bigger size waiting for him. DH's shoes also have the possibility of fitting him if he needs and "inbetween" size for a little while.

**mamamia** · 12-18-2008, 04:36 AM

All of men's clothing and shoes are generally much higher priced than the ladies stuff UGH! But do you happen to have a K-Mart by you? They sell Thom McCann's (sp?), which are a pretty decent shoe, and they usually run shoe sales quite often. Also, if you register at their site, they send you 2 printable coupons for $5 off of $50 (hope it's still available). I ditto the not buying 2nd hand shoes too, unless they're really like new.

Hope you find a good buy!

Theresa

**joyofsix** · 12-18-2008, 06:25 AM

I feel your pain. I usually do as a poster said above, find a pair they like and then order online. My real problem is ds who wears a 15. You just don't find those everywhere.

**Jeanna** · 12-18-2008, 07:40 AM

Unless he needs name brands I would check out Walmart or Kmart. If he is going through shoes that fast he probably will not wear them out before he outgrows them. Kmart is having a BOGO1/2 price the week. Good Luck.

**Lady_V** · 12-18-2008, 07:44 AM

We have a shoe-chain here, DSW, which also has an online store... they have the higher-end/better quality shoes and much lower than 'fancy store prices'. I bought a pair of Tommy Hilfiger flip-flops for $5 there... they were normally...$40ish

DSW SHOES

**shellyrhds** · 12-18-2008, 08:05 AM

Anyone ever walk around with tissue paper in the toes of their shoes? I remember doing that as a kid -- we got one pair of good summer shoes, one pair of good winter shoes, one pair of regular shoes to last us through the year. Mom would buy them a size too big and the first 3 or 4 months we would go to church with tissue paper in the toes of our patent leather mary janes! We thought it was neat -- thought all kids wore the tissue paper out of the box of shoes in their new ones, and as far as I know, mom was the only adult who knew her kids shoes were too big!

**imagine** · 12-18-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Jeanna

Unless he needs name brands I would check out Walmart or Kmart. If he is going through shoes that fast he probably will not wear them out before he outgrows them. Kmart is having a BOGO1/2 price the week. Good Luck.

Walmart was out of his size in boots. It seems like they get about three or four of a size in each kind. So we headed over to Payless Where there was one choice.

Places to buy shoes in town
Wal-mart, Payless, JC Penney and the expensive shoes store.

**imagine** · 12-18-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by shellyrhds

Anyone ever walk around with tissue paper in the toes of their shoes? I remember doing that as a kid -- we got one pair of good summer shoes, one pair of good winter shoes, one pair of regular shoes to last us through the year. Mom would buy them a size too big and the first 3 or 4 months we would go to church with tissue paper in the toes of our patent leather mary janes! We thought it was neat -- thought all kids wore the tissue paper out of the box of shoes in their new ones, and as far as I know, mom was the only adult who knew her kids shoes were too big!

I did that by accident once. Couldn't figure out why my shoes hurt. Correct size shoes with tissue paper in end make some squished toes.