Frazz by Jef Mallett for December 01, 2024

I hope Dad is not as cheap with the shoes.

Ski swap meet? Not a bad idea.

Are there consignment stores for kids?

I only have two coats for winter. A light one for above zero temperatures and a parka/ski jacket for freezing temperatures.

Poor girl doesn’t have any older siblings to receive ugly, permanently stained, outdated (fashion-wise), hand-me-downs from.

I moved from upstate NY to South Carolina when I retired. I just had to replace my hoodie because the zipper in my old one broke. That’s probably the only “coat” I’ll ever need again and I have an entire closet with coats that I brought from NY!!

Layering makes sense. Gives one a variety of choices for whatever weather. Build up the layers as winter worsens, reverse them as weather warms. Some will be good for several seasons. Once kid grows out of the items, they can go to another kid via church bazaars or swap meets.

Yep. Here in upper Illinois, we joke that you need 5 hats, 6 scarves, 4 pairs of gloves, a windbreaker, a down coat, a down vest, a long coat, a short coat, several jackets & 18 pairs of boots/winter shoes. That’ll getcha thru September to April. So, yes, layering for a kid growing thru clothes like nobuddy’s bizness!

I ruined my favorite and only down jacket leaving it on the heater too long, found the same one on eBay for less than half the new price.

Today’s Frazz sure made this old Geezer smile. :-D TY Jef.

How about layering with some of the items, especially those meant for outer layers, bought somewhat large? They then become next year’s inner layers, and so forth. One might even make a three-year cycle out of that. Or, you can just break down, stop being such a skinflint, buy the kid what she needs and figure out other places to heal your budget. If you’re really tight, head for Goodwill or Salvation Army and buy on the roomy side.

Unless ‘swapmeet’ was meant to be one word.

Reminds me just a little bit of my three-month trip to Europe when I was a carefree 20 year old: Two shirts, two pairs of pants, two pairs of socks, one pair of very comfortable shoes and two pair of underwear. Rotated the underwear every four days after outside out, inside-out and repeat. Of course we stayed in hostels and let them “air out” on top of our bunks each night.

Good Will has a whole kid’s section in every store. I had a cousin a year older than me growing up and never had a brand new coat until I bought it for myself. Don’t even remember being resentful about it— actually saved the shopping experience, which I didn’t enjoy, and I never cared about clothes anyway.

Layering it on a little thick.

Cheapo is right. follow Frazz’ idea. you need protection in the winter.

And eBay. Lots of quality winter clothing there; Columbia, Patagonia, North Face, LL Bean and Eddie Bauer and Sorel boots. Inner layer stuff like t shirts, underwear and first layer socks are best if you are the first owner/wearer.

Since I moved to Arizona I have had a winter coat that hasn’t been outside in 15 years, layering works real well here because by the afternoon all you need is an undershirt and long sleeves. The high today is 78 F, it was 58 when I got up for coffee at 9 am. 73 right now, where’s my shorts?

Layered thermal underwear…oh, and a hat…