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Step 1
Check out end of season sales. Retailers are anxious to clear the summer merchandise out quickly when the fall styles begin to arrive...as early as June! Use this to your advantage and shop the summer sales and clearance racks. Most schools are back in session by late August so summer clothing is still wearable at this time of the year.
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Step 2
Check out local consignment shops. Children grow so quickly that consignment shops are a great option for helping you stay on budget while school shopping. Stop in frequently as new items arrive daily at most children's consignment shops. Many consignment shops also stock brand new items at great discounts. If you are looking for a specific item, speak to the consignment shop employees. They may be able to watch for items to come in and give you a call when they arrive.
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Step 3
Shop the internet auction sites. eBay is an excellent source for children's clothing at great prices. You can find a wide variety of brand new and gently used items to suit your budget. Many sellers list several clothing items in a "lot" so you get more bang for your buck. Last year I purchased a BRAND NEW $125 pair of sneakers for my child for only $35 on eBay!
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Step 4
Hold a Swap Meet. Call your friends and family who have children and set up a swap meet. Have them bring any clean, gently used clothing items their children no longer need. Everyone will have fun going through the items and the kids will have a blast shopping through the swap items and discovering "new" favorite items. Swap meets are generally a free exchange of goods. FREE!
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Step 5
Watch store specials. Retailers want your business and are slashing prices to get it! Keep your eye on the newspaper or online ads for your favorite department stores and cash in on store specials, coupons and sales.
Don't forget to shop the discount department stores such as TJMaxx, Ross and Marshall's. They carry a great variety of children's clothing items and can save you a bundle of money. -
Step 6
Uniforms and sports equipment tip: Check with your school to see if they participate in uniform/equipment swaps. This is when students trade in items they have outgrown and swap them for items that fit and are still in great shape.
Comments
greenerdesigns said
on 8/17/2009 Love the swap meet idea. My son is the smallest of his age group, we are forever giving his old clothes to his friend's younger brothers...maybe we should start "collecting"!
pinlight said
on 8/16/2009 My approach, taken from my mom who was always on a budget when I was a kid, is to make sure my kids get *one* new thing...be it a backpack, pair of pants, skirt, hat...something to signify their start of a new year. Otherwise, we work with what we have, make great use of hand-me-overs from friends and freecycle. Back to school usually costs me under $20.
jenng said
on 8/16/2009 Great article on How to Shop for Back to School Clothes on a Budget 5*
chrisanimelo444 said
on 8/15/2009 This will come in handy since school is coming up soon. Thanks!
tammyfrost said
on 8/14/2009 thanks fro the tips!