Thrift shops are the mainstay of our family's economy. Here are the basic thrifty rules that I live by:

1. Always bring a measuring tape. Many is the time that a piece of clothing is mismeasured.

2. Know what sizes the kids wear.

3. Inspect everything: buttons, snaps, zippers, seams.

4. Don't ever buy anything white for play clothes or anything that needs ironing!

5. For children over 2 or 3, buy everything at least one size larger than needed, even larger if possible. I originally created this rule not to save money, but because I noticed that our then 7-, 10-, 12-year-olds were all "stealing" my socks and sweatshirts!

6. When buying shirts look for stain and dit "hiders" like small prints, narrow stripes, or acceptable designs.

7. Keep to simple color schemes that either a boy or girl should wear.

8. If it is half-worn out, don't buy it!

9. Keep to name brands that have proven themselves for durability: Gap, Land's End, LLBean, OshKosh.

10. Don't buy anything for teenage girls unless they are with you!

Reprinted with permission.Carolyn Ellis is a homeschooling mom and author of the 60 page self-published booklet "Beyond Homeschooling," $7 ppd. To order make checks payable to Carolyn Ellis, 1109 Hilltop Drive, Irving TX, 75060.