Buying clothes

Life & style: For ethical and fashion-conscious consumers, charity shop purchases are not just driven by thrift

Retailers say people are cutting back on their spending, except in one category.

By Samantha Critchell Associated Press NEW YORK -- Some kids' clothes have a long shelf life. After one child breaks in this year's back-to-school outfits, it's likely that someone else -- a younger sibling, a cousin, a kid whose mom is an avid second-hand shopper -- will wear them again at a later date.

Cautious apparel buyers are foregoing orders to be delivered months down the road and instead are buying for the moment, unwilling to take on excess inventory and unsure over what the future holds.

Shoppers must learn to 'make do and mend' rather than buy cheap throwaway clothes, a damning Lords report says.

Imagine a life, where you would not need to step out of your apartment for anything and get everything delivered to you: service, food, or clothes?A life where you could work, shop, and exist remotely. It is not so much of a fantasy anymore. It is a reality in America, a virtual reality.

Whether you find yourself returning to the classroom or if you're just looking for an excuse to buy some new stuff, Metromix has gathered a list of the greatest, weirdest and even a few of the most unsettling items you won't want to find yourself without.

With cash tight and fuel and food prices high, many parents are eyeing back-to-school lists warily, looking for bargains and buying used clothes. In some cases, they're even thinking about sending their children to school without all the supplies they need.

A computer expert offers tips for buying a computer for students heading back to class.

Upgrading household appliances to more energy-efficient models can slash your utilities bill.