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How is it that my daughters' clothing (and even their underwear...) is costing me more than my own?

I know that they are still growing, so there's that to consider, and I have, believe me. I'm trying to give them -- and myself -- as the keeper of the checkbook, debit cards and credit cards as much benefit of the doubt as I can. However, as I sit here looking at my husband's "Cash Budget", and I'm scratching my head.

My teen daughters go to Catholic school, so they wear a uniform five days a week. They don't need a tremendous amount of clothes. I truly believe that we buy far less than many other families in our area (emphasis on that last...). I also believe that we tend to shop in less expensive stores than many of their friends. For example, many of my girls' friends shop at Hollister, Abercrombie (I boycott that one based on GP and price -- don't even get me started...), American Eagle, J Crew and even Nordstrom. These stores are generally more expensive than I am willing to go.

I usually take my girls to Aeropostale, Target, Delia's, Forever 21, Old Navy, Kohl's and Macy's. We actively look for things on sale, although at Kohl's, I defy you to find things not on sale (it's kind of a joke there like that...). At Macy's, we strive to use coupons whenever possible.

But somehow, I still find the bills piling up. One thing I've noticed with our older daughter is that she's had a tendency to "go through" her clothes rather quickly. She's been better about it lately, but for a while there, it felt like a revolving door with her clothes. I liked that her drawers and closet weren't overstuffed like her younger sister's, but on the other hand, it was like, "Where are all those outfits I bought you last year?" Well, it turned out if they were the tiniest bit too small, or faded, or out of style, they were going to charity. She felt like she was doing a good turn! I had a little chat with her and told her we'd be buying her clothes at the St. Vincent de Paul's thrift store pretty soon if she didn't change her ways. That pretty well nipped that habit in the bud. Now, she's much more careful about what she deems to be worn out or out of style.

And then there's the underwear equation. When did the kids start buying nicer underwear than the moms? And what's up with that? Here I just limp along with the same ol', same ol' (my poor husband...). I never want to spend very much on it either. After all, it's only underwear, right?

So, we'll be out shopping, and the girls will be all like, "Oh, Mom, can I get some new underwear?" And I'll say they can, but I'll be realizing that we are in the kind of store where the price will be on high side, but I'll figure, "whatever...". Anyway, we'll start looking, and they'll run anywhere from $5 to $8 a pair. Well, when you add that up for two girls, all of the sudden we've just spent upwards of $150 on undies! Spare me! And you should hear the Big Strong Man exclaim over those bills!

Of course, he's one to talk with his Eddie Bauer's. Am I the only one willing to take one for the team?

I think I'm going to go splurge on some new skivvies for myself. I deserve it!