Are you ready to go back to school shopping? My family and I have already picked up a few pieces of clothing for the kids already. We were going to start stocking up on pens, pencils, paper and other supplies too. That way we can avoid the long lines when everyone else is ready to go shopping. We’ll just hold off on some things until we get the classroom supply lists.
We only pick up a few articles of clothing before school starts. It’s usually warm in September so the kids can get away with their summer outfits. We tend to buy jeans and cooler weather clothing in late September to early October. Normally we just pick up a new outfit or two so the kids can wear something new on the first day or two of school. We used to buy them entire new wardrobes but we learned how $$$ that can be. So now we just pick up the basics (underwear, socks…) and a few other pieces.
Here is an interesting article from Andrea Woroch with some money saving tips for back to school shopping.
You can hear the groans across the country. Summer has barely begun and already retailers are holding back-to-school sales. Toys R Us actually started their sales July 1, with an end date of July 23. The National Retail Federation says some sales may continue through August, but there might not be the same selection. That’s reason enough to consider shopping now.
The question is how to save without busting your budget. Here are 11 savings tips to help you through this early shopping season.
1. Take Inventory
Consider what you’ll actually need before hitting the stores. Has your child grown out of their schools clothes or will they do so by September? Can you reuse last year’s school supplies or will you need to replace some items?
2. Set a Budget
Create a shopping list and stick to it, so you avoid impulse purchases. That fancy-schmancy Transformers’ Trapper Keeper can push your budget over the edge.
3. Use Coupons
There may be great deals, but coupons can make them even greater. Check out sites like CouponSherpa.com that offer a wide selection of online, printable, and mobile coupons for back to school savings.
4. Shop Early
While it seems awfully early to think about school shopping, this is when stores are rolling out their best deals of the year. As they say, the early bird gets the worm.
5. Go Mobile
Tap into your mobile phone with apps like “RedLaser,” which allows you to scan bar codes and find any cheaper prices online or at other retailers.
6. Check Social Media
Twitter and Facebook are great places to find deals offered to a brand’s social-media fan base. “Like” or “Follow” the merchant and keep an eye out for coupons and sales announcements.
7. Buy in Bulk
Take advantage of bulk offers on pens, crayons, paper and other items your kids will burn through over the course of the year. You might team up with other parents for bigger bulk purchases that will bring prices down even lower.
8. Spend More to Save More
Sometimes it costs money to save money. For example, Staples offers a 15-percent savings pass for $10, which you can use throughout the back-to-school season.
9. Exchange
Gather your family and friends — along with their kid’s school wardrobes — for an exchange night of hand-me-downs that will save everyone money.
10. Wait Until Labor Day
Labor Day is the traditional time for big sales on school clothing. You might take a chance and wait until then to buy any necessary items for your child.
11. Buy for Yourself
Back-to-school sales aren’t just for kids. You might stock up on office supplies, jeans and other items that traditionally go on sale during this season.
Consumer and money saving expert, Andrea Woroch, is available for an in-studio, satellite or skype interview. As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea has been featured on NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ShopSmart Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Melissa says
Yep, absolutely do not want to think about sending my daughter back to school. I think waiting until labor day is the best for the clothes. I’ve been keeping a look out for sales and coupon deals on the stuff on my daughters back to school list. It’s nice we got the list on the last day of school, so I can be on the look out all summer.
Dakotapam says
Great tips! my elementary kids need their supplies before school starts, but my middle schooler and high schooler won’t get their lists until the first day. It helps us stretch our budget a bit. However, I hate buying more kleenex for one kid than our family uses in a YEAR!
won says
This is a hot button with me!
I get so upset with the expectation (both in written lists and perceived) that we (parents) have to buy our children supplies to start school with. It is illegal for a school to require that, under the law that guarantees all our children the right to a FREE education.
And not only that….we pay taxes. We already pay to give the schools an operating budget. And then they want us to pay more. Last year, my son came home and told me he could not do an assignment because he did not have a flash drive. There is of course much more to this story – but no – he can not be required to own a flash drive for his schooling any more than the school can require us to have a computer in our home.
Even for those that acknowledge what I’m saying, it’s still a tough spot to be in. I (we) don’t want my child being the only one that doesn’t have A, B or C.
Ugggg…..
Hijack over.
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says
With two children going to school this year, I can already fill my wallet getting lighter.
Eileen says
I dread it every year. It’s hard as a mom not to get into the back to school spirit but after all the years of struggling and oufitting 6 kids, it for sure is daunting. We are now down the last two and it still breaks our bank. Shoes, backpacks, clothes, calculators, and school supplies, school pictures, and sports fees. Good thing we had most of our kids spaced out quite far so there were not 6 kids in school at once. I dont know how others do it.
I agree with WON, there are such high expectations and in our area we are in a Yuppy district and we are on the LLLLLooooowwwest part of that totem pole. You want your kid to fit in but cant possibly buy what upper class parents hand over to their kids for shopping. Good thing our kids are very shop savvy and dont ask for much.
We also know teachers who put in their own money for supplies, so we know it’ s not just the students that have needs in order to learn, our teachers that LOVE teaching and care are the ones we see buying supplies so they can do the little extras for our kids. The tips would be great for both students AND teachers. Thanks!