It is thrifty mama shopping season already! That’s right, consignment sales have started up for fall. I am planning to kick off my fall shopping at the JBF sale in Loudon, VA. (And if I get lucky, I might be done when I walk out of there!) Shopping a large consignment sale requires some strategy. Here are my three top tips for getting the most out of this sale.
1. MAKE A LIST. Check it twice. Go through what your kids have for fall and figure out what they need, and what sizes. Then prioritize your list, so you can hit the “must have” items before the “nice to have” items.
The sale is organized so that like items will be with like, and clothing is organized by size and type. Only items in good condition and for the current season are accepted, so go planning to pick up enough high-quality clothing to equip your kids for fall and winter. The consignor guidelines indicate that the minimum sale price is $3.00 per item, so multiply the number of items on your list by $3 to set your minimum budget unless you are shopping the half price sale.
2. SHOP WITH A FRIEND. I like to go with another veteran thrifty mama so we can divide and conquer. I check for big boy clothes while she hits the baby clothes, then we meet in the middle for a quick review and transfer items between our shopping bags.
(You should always take your own shopping bag to a sale. I like the giant blue bag from Ikea. Some sales sell them at the door and some will give you a loaner, but you’ll never be caught without if you bring one.)
3. EAT SOMETHING AND WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. Seriously. If you are hungry, you are going to check out with two left shoes. (I really did this at a thrift store once. Fortunately when I went back the righties were still there.) Eat a good breakfast on your way in. Use the restroom before you enter the sale, and you’ll be much more focused when you get inside!
The sale is going to be jam packed with good stuff- the last thing you want is to have to call it quits and go home before you are done shopping. It is typical to find such high quality items at these sales that you can pick up holiday gifts for your children as well as clothes and shoes. 
So if your child has a MUST HAVE item they are dying to own, make sure you put it on your list!
JBF Loudoun Children’s Consignment Sale
What: One of the area’s largest Children’s consignment sales!
Where: Dulles Sportsplex
near Dulles Town Center
21610 Atlantic Blvd.
Sterling, Va 20166
When: September 15th -16th
Saturday, September 15th, 2012
8:30 am to 10:00 am – Private Military Presale
*military ID required/kids allowed10:00 am to 6:30 pm –
Open to the Public –$5 Admission but you can print a coupon good for free admission here.
Sunday, September 16th, 2012
8 am to 12:00 pm – 50% Price Sale
* Open to the Public – Free Admission / Items without a STAR are 50% off!Doors will close promptly at 12:00!
What else you need to know: Strollers ARE allowed but will be inspected at checkout. There is a $2 convenience fee for credit card purchases. Parking is free! Activities for kids are being offered during the presale hours- see the website for details. JBF has rules requiring sellers to check their products against the recall database. If you want more information regarding the safety of the items at the sale, click here.
Photos are courtesy of JBF Loudoun and were taken at the spring 2012 sale. If you’d like to see more photos of the last sale, click here.
