Clothing can consume a big chunk of the family budget. Those new togs also take a toll on the planet in terms of the water, pesticides and energy used in fabric manufacture and transportation. Equally alarming, outdated pieces often wind up in landfills as trash, even though they’re still wearable.

www.BigGreenPurse.com recommends several good options for making clothes last longer. Items purchased for young children should be gender-neutral styles that can be shared or handed down. Adults and teens can choose classic investments that defy time. Trendy garments may be donated to thrift shops, consignment stores and second-hand boutiques which double as places for finding merchandise at great prices. Swap meets with friends are not only fun, but further eliminate the need to dispose.