KENTON, Ohio — It’s no secret that raising children is expensive.

When you take into consideration inflation, child care, and basic needs, like clothing that is quickly outgrown, the money can really add up. “Business Insider” even estimates the cost to care for one child in the US in 2024 is nearly $26,000.

However, one unique clothing swap headquartered in rural Ohio is helping families across the country keep budgets low and outfits fresh.

For about a year now, Shannon Taylor, her husband, and Deb and Jared Manns have their business called ‘Legacy Bundles’ down to a science.

“You send us your unwanted, outgrown kids' clothes, and we supply you with the next size that you need,” Taylor said.

It’s a one-for-one clothing swap all online and through the mail.

Taylor is a mom of two under 2. The Manns have five children, and they all know a thing or two about the cost of kids' clothes.  

“All good things are born out of necessity," Taylor said. "My daughter started outgrowing the girl we got hand-me-downs from, and I was running out of hand-me-downs so I had to find a solution. And consignment was more cost efficient than brand new, but still really really expensive."

The Taylors and Manns put their backgrounds in business and education into action.

For about $30, you can send in 30 pieces of gently used clothes and request 30 back.

They’ll send a bag and label and you’re ready to go.  

“You’re looking at a brand new sleeper, a pajama set, over 9 months old, you’re looking at 18 dollars and they’re going to wear it a handful of times,” Taylor said.

Saving money is a main goal, but so is saving time. 

Legacy Bundles is headquartered in rural Kenton, Ohio.  

“It’s a great place to raise a family, but we are at least 45 minutes from most major shopping availability,” Taylor said.

 Business is growing, and a warehouse downtown holds all the bundles to be sorted and shipped.

“All of these towns that are all over the country are just like us, sitting just close enough, but just too far, all get mail,” Taylor said.

 The clothing swap gives parents different style options from other parts of the country.

“One summer that we went to clean out the attic, 20 bags, a big mountain right here in this space. A big mountain of clothes that were just left up there because we got about them. So you don’t need a whole massive amount of clothes, you don’t have to hold onto clothes anymore,” said Deb Manns.

Each item is checked for quality, and you might even find designer pieces with original tags.

For the owners, it’s been a lot of work but a way to spread the good.

“It’s heartwarming. It’s humbling. It’s fun. Getting emails saying it’s like Christmas when I order a bundle, it’s made everything up to this point worth it and it makes it worth it when you have to keep going when things aren’t always working right,” Taylor said.

Legacy Bundles accepts clothing from newborn sizes to 5T.

It typically takes less than two weeks to send in your bundle and get a new one.

The company also offers gift certificates which have become popular options for baby showers.