Consignment sale season opening, check our updated database

It's time for children's consignment sale season!

Nearly three dozen consignment sales are gearing up for the spring/summer season, setting schedules and signing up consignors.

For those new to the consignment sale world, these sales spring up twice a year - in the summer and early fall and, again, in the winter and early spring. Most are run by local moms and are held at local churches or empty stores in strip malls. They feature gently used and sometimes new clothing, toys, furniture, gear and more for kids. The upcoming sales will feature spring and summer clothes, toys and more - think swimming suits, warm weather clothes, etc.

Consignors can sell their items at the events with the sale owners taking a cut of the profits - usually somewhere between 30 percent and 40 percent. If you're interested in selling, there is still plenty of time to sign up as a consignor. Sales also can use volunteers, who usually get to shop before the public, letting them sort through the best stuff.

In some cases, the public can shop early with a small donation that typically goes to a local charity. Some sales also allow new moms, grandparents, military families, foster parents, pregnant moms and others to shop early. Be sure to check a sale's individual website for details.

These are fantastic places to find great deals on essentials for kids. Both my girls have primarily worn clothes from local consignment sales (though it does become harder to find clothes for kids, including my almost eight-year-old, as they get older).

We have at least one new sale coming up and some new features at several of the local sales. So stay tuned to details!

Happy tagging and shopping!