If you're constantly trying to balance your teenager's expensive tastes with your tight budget, you might want to set aside some time this weekend for a consignment sale geared specifically for teens and tweens.
You'll save money buying used and you'll save 6.75 percent more because the sale coincides with the state's tax-free weekend.
Two Apex moms turned entrepreneurs are running the Teens Going Green consignment sale at the Cary Masonic Lodge at 1142 Southeast Maynard Road.
With six kids between the two of them, Bee Persson and Jenny Kolb are hoping to make a little money, help other moms make ends meet and introduce teens to an alternative to the mall.
Although this is their first attempt at operating a consignment sale, Persson and Kolb are no strangers to second-hand shopping. They have shopped garage sales and children's consignment sales for years, saving themselves plenty.
But as their kids have grown bigger, they have seen their opportunities to save shrinking.
Persson and Kolb are betting they aren't the only frugal-minded moms looking for bargain-priced teen clothing.
Most consignment sales cater to families with infants, toddlers and young elementary-age children, Persson explained. Beyond size 10-12, the selection dwindles.
"I have not seen anything in North Carolina exclusively for teens," Persson said.
The two moms have been marketing the sale to other moms as a way to save money. But they're hoping to attract teen shoppers by emphasizing the sale as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional shopping with all its plastic bags and packaging.
They also wanted a business idea that reflected their own values.
"We're moms first. We're homemakers trying to live on a budget. But we're also trying to live environmentally friendly," Persson said. "We think teens identify with that."
The Teens Going Green consignment sale runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday at the Cary Masonic Lodge, 1142 Southeast Maynard Road. Sunday's hours are noon to 4 p.m. when all merchandise will be half off. (A preview sale will take place Friday for volunteers and sellers.)
Items for sale include:
- Clothing in youth sizes 10 and up; junior sizes 0-17; misses sizes 2-16; and guys and girls S, M, L and XL. Adult and plus-size clothing in teen styles will also be available.
- Shoes and purses.
- Books and CDs.
- Game consoles, related equipment and games.
- Cellphones and accessories.
- Sporting goods, dance and gymnastics supplies.
- Bedding and room decor (lamps, posters, jewelry boxes, rugs, etc.).
Click here for more details on the Teens Going Green sale.
