Remember the allure of back to school shopping as a kid? Think about the shiny new folders that you carefully selected, those Trapper Keepers, and lunchboxes from popular TV shows or movies. The accoutrements for the new school year were like treasures for the first day of class - crayons in brightly colored packs before the tips were worn down, freshly sharpened pencils and thick erasers. These days, back to school shopping means finding the best deals without having to run all over town. So here are some tips for your kids that won't break the budget before the school year is in full swing. "Wait. Don't buy school supplies until you know exactly what your child's school and teacher require. It's not unusual for very nice loose leaf binders or a bunch of pencils to go unused because the teacher wants wire bound notebooks and ballpoint pens," advises Louise Reilly Sacco, co-producer/co-host, Frugal Yankee.
Do your homework on upcoming sales while keeping in mind they might not be available right now. "If you can hold your child's backpack over from last year, the time to buy backpacks is actually in October. Last year, I bought 12 backpacks for $36 from Target on clearance," notes Julie Parrish, CEO - CG Media.
Don't be shy to ask about sales when you're in a store. "Always ask the salesclerk when you can expect the next sale or when you can get coupons. Find nice sales people and befriend them--they will keep you in the loop and save you money," advises Ginger Puglia, Trend Consultant & Strategic Planner and CEO of GINGER finds.
To remain true to your budget, don't try to buy a completely new wardrobe that your kids will quickly outgrow. "Buy basics, mix and match so that outfits can be interchanged and the child gets the maximum number of alternatives from mixing and matching," Puglia says. Another idea is to accessorize. "Refresh outfits with novelty accessories that are inexpensive: colored shoelaces, caps, hats, scarves," she continues.
And don't be in a rush to purchase new clothes. "If your kids are going to a new school, hold off on clothes shopping. What was practically required in the old school may be unacceptable to the fashion norms in the new school. Buy one or two outfits, then wait and see," Reilly Sacco adds.
Another option is to try making clothes. "With the craft revival going on in the U.S., many people are picking up knitting needles or dusting off the sewing machine to make clothes instead of purchasing. This is definitely an option for children as back to school clothes are needed," says Caley Walsh, editor, Fave Crafts. "Homemade clothes are very fashionable right now and very thrifty."
So before carting your kids around for a day of shopping, think about what is right for your family's budget. Check for on-line deals at your favorite discount stores. Knowing when you can buy the most for your money will help stretch your dollars and give you peace of mind - just in time for checking homework assignments.
Photo Credit © Jarenwicklund | Dreamstime.com
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