5 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping

Kirsten Thuringer

July 22, 2016  •  2 Minute Read

Financial Tips, Student/Financial Aid

To your kids, shopping for new clothes, gear and school supplies may be the only good thing about going back to school, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune every year. Check out these 5 tips on how to save.

1. Make a List- Use a recommended list as a guideline for what your child will need. Don’t be afraid to ask parents that have a child a year ahead in school to see what they had used the year before. When it comes to clothes, go through your child’s closet with them to see what fits and what you can get rid of. Try selling the clothes that no longer fit to make a little extra money for new items.

2. Reuse items- While going through closets, get an idea of what your child can wear again as a base and purchase items to go with it. Also, go through last year’s school bag and check for lightly used pencils, erasers or other supplies that can be used again. This will save a little or a lot depending on what you find.

3. Make a Budget- Before leaving for the store, decide on what you are comfortable spending. Make a list of all the items you need and don’t stray away from that list.

4. Compare Prices- Check out the sale flyers from area stores or look online. A lot of stores will have back to school sales and will help you save a little. Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk when it comes to school supplies. Go in with other parents on buying supplies and you can split the costs. A lot of kids need the same supplies and buying in bulk can be a big saver.

5. Bring your Child Shopping- This may sound a bit crazy for some parents, but bring your child shopping and make it an enjoyable experience for them. They may not be looking forward to school starting but picking out clothing and supplies can be enjoyable for them. But try to have an open mind when it comes to your child’s fashion sense. Avoid saying no to items just because you don’t like them, especially when it comes to clothing. Back-to-school shopping has the potential to be a hair-raising experience that can put a serious dent into a family budget. With a little advanced planning, however, parents and kids can have a fun day out that won’t break the bank.