Guest Post by Chrissy Freeman, ConsignmentMommies.com founder

Our kids may be hitting the books, but now’s the time for us smart mamas to hit the sales. That’s right! Children’s consignment sales are back in town bursting with super savings on all the gently used items our little bookworms need.

From top brand children’s apparel and shoes to quality outerwear, baby gear and toys (think Christmas presents!), swap savvy shoppers will find everything on their lists. But, how do you make the most of these seasonal sale events?

Size them up
Your kids grow, but their clothes don’t and anticipating what size they’ll be in a few months is hard to do. If you know your child’s current height and weight, then you can easily predict what size she’ll wear as the weather gets colder. Simply plot her measurements on this age growth chart and you’ll know exactly what size to buy.

Make a list and check it twice
It’s easier to determine what you need if you know what you have. Take inventory of your children’s clothes, shoes and toys””determine what they still wear or will grow into. Make your list based on the items they’ve outgrown.

Be tote-worthy
Don’t forget to bring a tote (or two). Rolling suitcases, wagons, even laundry baskets will work. Whatever you bring, it will certainly serve its purpose as you quickly collect piles of great finds.

Love “˜em and leave “˜em
Have you heard the saying: Cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth while eating Oreos? Well, shopping a consignment sale with a kid in tow is like running a marathon with your legs tied together. Do yourself a favor and leave the little ones at home. Think less stress and more shopping success.

There’s an app for that
Aren’t sure about a brand? Is it priced correctly? There’s an app for that. Upload the Amazon and RedLaser apps to your smart phone and look up items before you buy. Want to be sure the gear you grabbed hasn’t been recalled? Check it out on WeMakeItSafer.com.

Scope out the sales
Seasonal children’s consignment sales are popping up everywhere these days. Like shopping for boutique brands only? There’s a sale for that. Only want to seek out toys for holiday gifts? Yep, there’s a sale for that too. Research the consignment sales in your area and plan to attend as many as you can!