What's In The Bag? Mother does a lot of second-hand buying

The Fayetteville Observer 1/23/10

Lora Holloman was shopping at Once Upon a Child with her son, Charlie, and daughter, Ariella. The 32-year-old from Fayetteville is a stay-at-home mother of three children.

What's in the bag? Holloman bought two pairs of jeans, two outfits for her youngest child, a pair of shoes, T-shirts and a baby carrier for $88.

What's your favorite store? "This is probably my favorite store, but I'm at Walmart more than anyplace else."

What was your most recent splurge? "Today, actually. My (5-year-old) daughter suddenly went from only wanting to wear skirts to only wanting to wear jeans, and she doesn't have any jeans that fit. I had to come out and buy kids' clothes."

How have your shopping habits changed in this economy? "I do a lot more second-hand shopping. I used to go to someplace like The Children's Place or somewhere like that. I probably haven't been someplace with new kids' clothes for two or three years."

If you had $1,000, how would you spend it? Holloman said she would buy clothes for the whole family.

If you were to open a store, what would you sell? "I'd have a grocery store where you could place orders online and then come to pick it up."

What's the best bargain you ever found? "I bought a Peg Perego stroller for $15. This was at a consignment shop. They can be anywhere from $100 to $200."

By Jaclyn Shambaugh