Raising kids is expensive, but it does not have to be. The Triangle has an incredible thrift and consignment scene that can cut your family spending dramatically. I outfit my kids almost entirely through consignment and thrift, and they look great.When: Spring (March/April) and fall (September/October) — check jbfsale.com for exact Triangle dates
Where: Rotating large venues (typically convention centers or fairground buildings)
Prices: 50-90% off retail. Half-price sale on the last day for even deeper discounts.
What to buy: Clothing (organized by size and gender), shoes, toys, baby gear, strollers, car seats (inspected), books, games
Tips:
- Get an early-access pass by volunteering or consigning — public sale days are picked-over
- Bring a large shopping bag or laundry basket
- Know your kids' sizes before you go
- Check car seats and gear carefully for recallsWhen: Spring and fall events — check rhealanas.com for Triangle dates
What to buy: Same as JBF — clothes, toys, gear, books
Tips: Half-price day is the best value if you are flexible on selection Watch community boards and Facebook groups for announcements
These smaller sales are less picked-over and often have great prices
Common timing: September/October and March/April Buy and sell kids' clothes, shoes, toys, and gear year-round
Prices are 30-70% off retail
You can sell your kids' outgrown items for cash or store credit
Quality is generally high — they are selective about what they accept National chain specializing in kids' resale
Clothing, shoes, toys, books, and baby gear
Walk in anytime to buy or sell
Prices are consistently 50-70% off retail Upscale children's consignment with higher-quality brands
More curated selection than Once Upon a Child
Prices are still well below retail Hit or miss, but when you hit, the prices are unbeatable
Best strategy: visit regularly and check the kids' section for hidden gems
Half-price days vary by location — ask at the register for the schedule
Color tag sales — different color price tags are 50% off on different days Often slightly less picked-over than Goodwill
Regular sales and discount days
Good selection of kids' clothing at many locations Not for clothes, but excellent for furniture, household items, and toys
Great for nursery furniture, bookshelves, and storage solutions
New inventory arrives daily Local favorite with a great selection and friendly staff
Proceeds support Durham schools
Consistent quality and reasonable prices Good community thrift store with regular kids' inventory Search for "kids clothes lot" + your area for bulk clothing bundles
Seasonal gear (snow suits, swimsuits) appears at perfect timing
Large items (cribs, swings, ride-on toys) are often listed free or cheap
Safety tip: Meet in public places for exchanges. Many Triangle police stations have designated exchange spots. Post "ISO" (in search of) for specific items you need
Offer outgrown items to keep the cycle going
Quality is often excellent — families pass along gently used items
Completely free Buy a season's worth of clothes in one trip
Best value per item for clothing More curated than thrift stores
Can sell your outgrown stuff for cash Lowest prices but requires more digging
Books are almost always under $2 Best for big-ticket items
Completely free options available January: Post-holiday toy clearance at thrift stores
March/April: Spring consignment sales — buy spring/summer clothes
June: End-of-school gear appears at consignment shops
September/October: Fall consignment sales — buy fall/winter clothes
November: Post-Halloween costume clearance, holiday toy inventory at thrift stores Worth buying used: Carter's, Cat & Jack, Old Navy, Gap Kids, Nike, Under Armour
Avoid used: Fast fashion with thin fabric, anything with significant pilling or staining
Check carefully: Zippers, snaps, elastic waistbands, and stain-prone light colors Retail clothing budget would be: ~$1,200/year per kid
My actual spend through consignment/thrift: ~$200-300/year per kid
Annual savings: $1,800-2,000 for two kids [Best Consignment Sales and Kids' Resale Shops in the Triangle](/guides/consignment-sales-kids-resale-shops-triangle)
[Where to Find Free and Cheap Kids' Clothes in the Triangle](/guides/free-cheap-kids-clothes-triangle-nc)
[Best Playdate Spots for Moms in the Triangle](/guides/best-playdate-spots-moms-triangle)
[Coupon and Discount Guide for Triangle Family Attractions](/guides/coupon-discount-guide-triangle-family-attractions)
[Budget Meal Prep + Outing Planning: The Triangle Mom's Weekly Guide](/guides/budget-meal-prep-outing-planning-triangle-mom-weekly-guide)
Consignment Sales Events
These seasonal pop-up sales are the holy grail of kid-stuff shopping. Thousands of items at 50-90% off retail, organized by size and category.
Just Between Friends (JBF)
Multiple Triangle locations | Seasonal (spring and fall) The biggest consignment sale event in the Triangle. Thousands of families consign clothing, toys, gear, books, and equipment.Rhea Lana's
Triangle locations | Seasonal Similar to JBF but sometimes at different dates, giving you two bites at the consignment apple.Kiddie Kloset
Regional consignment sale event that visits the Triangle periodically. Check their website for dates.Church and School Consignment Sales
Many Triangle churches and schools host their own consignment sales:Year-Round Consignment Shops
Kid to Kid
Multiple Triangle locations including Cary and RaleighOnce Upon a Child
Multiple Triangle locationsChildren's Orchard
Triangle locationsThrift Stores
Goodwill
Dozens of Triangle locationsSalvation Army
Multiple Triangle locationsHabitat for Humanity ReStore
Multiple Triangle locationsPTA Thrift Shop
DurhamSecond Chance Thrift
Chapel Hill areaFacebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing Groups
Facebook Marketplace
The Triangle's Facebook Marketplace is incredibly active for kids' items:Buy Nothing Groups
Every Triangle neighborhood has a Buy Nothing group on Facebook. This is where families give away outgrown items for free:Nextdoor
Similar to Buy Nothing but on the Nextdoor platform. Free items and great deals on kids' stuff.What to Buy Where
Consignment Sales (JBF/Rhea Lana's)
Best for: Bulk clothing shopping, seasonal wardrobes, baby gear, toysConsignment Shops (Kid to Kid, Once Upon a Child)
Best for: Specific items you need right now, name brands, current stylesThrift Stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army)
Best for: Treasure hunting, books, toys, costumes, craft suppliesFacebook/Buy Nothing
Best for: Large items (furniture, gear), free stuff, specific searchesMoney-Saving Strategies
Build a Seasonal Shopping Calendar
Size Up Strategy
At consignment sales, buy one size up from your child's current size. You will have the next season's wardrobe ready before you need it, and you bought it at 70% off.Quality Over Quantity
Even at thrift prices, buy only what you actually need. A $2 shirt you never use is still $2 wasted.Sell to Fund Buying
Consign or sell your outgrown items to fund your next shopping trip. Kid to Kid and Once Upon a Child pay cash on the spot. JBF and Rhea Lana's pay after the sale event.Brand Strategies
Some brands hold up better through resale:The Numbers
Here is what I spend vs. retail for my two kids:
That savings pays for a family vacation, activities, or goes straight into the college fund.
Thrifting for your family is not about deprivation — it is about being smart with money so you can spend it on experiences instead of new tags. The Triangle consignment scene makes it incredibly easy.
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