Okay, so I should have posted some deals today and I probably still will, but sometimes you just have to go take advantage of the deals yourself.  So today I took the girls to the mall.  I was actually going to check out the new iPad 2 but they were out of the one I was interested in getting.  Just so happens that Gymboree is 3 doors down from the Apple store.  I recently posted about the current sales going on right now HERE if you want to go check it out.  Now I’ll give you a run down of what we purchased today.  I’ll get to the total at the end of the post but I think we did pretty well!

Okay, so those two cutie sets were my splurges.  The short set was $16.32 and I purchased it and the swimsuit for next year because we are already set for this year.  I always buy on sale in advance.  You’ll see how it pays off in a minute.  The swimsuit and sandals were $18.98 for both.  I really splurged on the sandals at $7.59 but they were too cute to pass up and the other deals I got make up for it!  🙂

This set came to $13.37 including the streamer pony.  Not bad considering the retail price is $53.50.

It still gets better though, so hang in there with me!

This picture came out bad so you can’t see the cute pink and rhinestone details of the black cardigan, but these two gems came to $8.53 for both (retail $63.50).  The snowflake fleece hoodie was only $3.41!   Oh and I already have outfits to go with these that I purchased online during previous sales at equally great prices.

This ensemble includes another fleece hoodie, fleece pants, leggings, long sleeve tee and 2 pairs of socks for a grand total of  $13.06!

So yes, I am buying ahead for next winter just as I am beginning to pack up this year’s winter clothes and getting ready for Spring, but I think the savings are definitely worth it.  Plus we have a whole batch of new Spring/Summer Gymboree that is getting ready to come out which was purchased last year.  So I don’t feel left out not buying Spring and Summer now.

Not quite done yet, back to the haul!  Here is the last of it.  This set includes a cardigan sweater, another hoodie, the denim skirt, winter clogs, socks, 2 long sleeve tops, 2 pairs of matching hair clips and 1 headband.   I’m not going to do the math on these, but I’ll tell you the grand total for it ALL now…

24 items for $112.69 before tax!!!

Let’s recap!  That’s 1 short and top set, 1 swimsuit and sandals set, 1 pair of skinny jeans, 1 denim skirt, 1 pair of clogs, 4 hair accessories, 3 hoodies, 2 cardigan sweaters, 5 long sleeve tops including 1 turtleneck not previously listed, 3 pairs of socks, 1 pair of fleece pants and 1 pair of leggings all for $112.69!  Now we are completely finished and stocked up through next winter.  Yay!

So how did I get a haul of Gymboree girls clothing for less than Walmart prices ?  Well, first and foremost you have to be willing to buy ahead.  I know some people hesitate doing that because of sizing, but my 3 1/2 yr. old has been pretty consistent as most kids typically are.  She wore 3s and 4s this winter with a few 5s in leggings, tops and jackets mixed in which will probably still fit next winter.  So for next winter I have been buying 5s in bottoms and 6s in leggings and tops and she will probably still fit in some of her 4s from this year.  I basically buy enough that if it doesn’t fit in the fall it will typically fit by the end of winter and then again next fall.  One way or another it will get worn, if not by my oldest then it will get passed down to my youngest.  That’s one of the advantages of having 2 girls.

The next secret is to never, and I mean NEVER, buy Gymboree without a coupon!  If you do you are throwing money away.  You can always find the 20% off coupons in many magazines including Parents, Parenting and Family Fun.  Right now you can find one in March Parenting and April Parents magazine issues.  I subscribe to all of those because you can always find great deals on subscription prices and you can often find other coupons in them as well.  I posted about a Family Fun Magazine deal still going on from Mamapedia HERE.  Another great source for finding the coupons in these magazines is at your pediatrician’s office or your local library.  I actually found one in a Parents Magazine at my hair dresser’s the other day.

Lastly, of course buy when they are having great sales!  Right now already reduced merchandise is an additional 25% off.  Last week it was 30% off with their Fill-a-Bag Sale.  The swimsuits are $14.95 right now for Spring Break Deals and you can use the 20% coupon on top of that.  Oh, and for an additional 5% off apply for and use the Gymboree Visa.  They are actually offering an additional 25% off on top of the other 25% for new cardholders today (but you can’t use a coupon with this deal).  When I signed up for my Visa I got $30 in bonus rewards to spend at Gymboree.  Now I always use it to get that additional 5%.  It is also good to sign up for their Rewards Program which allows you to earn Gymboree Rewards money based on how much you spend in a given quarter.  Signing up is quick and easy and can be done online or in your store.

So today’s purchase was already reduced items with an additional 25% off store promotion, then 20% off with coupon and another 5% for using the Gymboree Visa.  Plus I earned $50 in Gymbucks which can be redeemed between April 7th-17th for this earning period.  When the time comes to redeem them I will look for more great sale items and use my Gymbucks to get them at an additional 50% off and hopefully end up with another great haul!  I am such a sucker for all the Gymboree cuteness even though we need absolutely nothing now!  Gymboree is evil!   😉

Tell me about some of your awesome baby/kid’s clothes hauls in the comments below!   Where are your favorite places to get great deals and do you buy in advance as well?