With the Easter holiday fast approaching, I know many of you may be looking for that perfect Easter outfit for your children or yourself to wear Easter morning. For those hoping to look like a million bucks, you don’t have to spend a fortune if you are willing to work hard.

I recently purchased “new” Easter outfits for both of my children. While they may not be new to others, they look like they have just come off the racks and are new to my children.

My preschool son is growing like a weed and I don’t want to spend a fortune for an item he will wear only a few short months. I recently purchased my son a Ralph Lauren sweater vest for $2 at an area thrift store. The sweater looks brand new and will match other church clothing articles in my son’s closet.

I also had success while shopping for my pre-teen daughter. I found her a dress made by the clothing store Justice. I purchased it from eBay. The dress was new with tags and I purchased it for a fraction of the cost of what they sold it for in stores.

My Easter dress also came from eBay and also cost me only a few dollars.

Let me stress, that these finds are not always easy and you have to spend time searching. But they are well worth it.

Easter Candy

Are you in need of Easter candy? Remember my life’s motto and refuse to pay full price. During the last several weeks there have been countless coupons for various types of Easter candy. You can find these coupons in the newspapers and countless Internet food sites. Make sure you don’t pay full price this Easter holiday.

Do you have money saving tips? E-mail them to localnews2005@yahoo.com.

Stephanie Eaton Harvie has been working professionally in the world of journalism since 1997. She began her career in Dunn, and served as the editor of the Angier Independent. She has learned tips on frugality by being a stay-at-home mom to her two children.