How to Maximize Your Back to School Shopping Budget

School clothes and school supplies put a strain on a back to school budget. The school supply lists may seem endless and so do the ‘I want this brand’ chants from the kids. The summer is replaced with the stress of running to stores and spending money on erasers, Kleenex for the classroom, and disagreeing on how much to spend on school clothes. To create less of an impact on your back to school shopping budget use these steps for easier, more enjoyable, and organized back to school shopping.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• List of school supplies
• Inventory of school clothes
• Have back to school budget set before shopping

1. Back to School Shopping List
   
   • Contact the school or the teacher early for a list of items. Sometimes these lists do not get mailed until late August and many sales have already passed you by.
   • For school clothes shopping know if the school has a dress code or bans certain types of clothing.
   • Generate a list together with teenagers. If they have worked allow them to make up the difference to upgrade to the name brand clothing they want.
   • Once a list is made, stick to it. There will be many temptations for other items when you go to the store. If it is not o the list, put it back.

2. Look Through Clothes and School Supplies - Take Inventory
   
   • There may be school supplies from the previous school year that are still usable.
   • There may be some clothes that still fit the kids from the previous school year. Buy some additional accent pieces to make the look new for this year.
   • Go through shoes, backpack, phy-ed clothing, lunch box, calculator, fall and winter jackets etc. If they look good, use them again for this school year.

3. Back to School Shopping Sales
   
   Now that you have your shopping list you know what sales to be looking for.
   
   • Bring all the store’s flyers since most stores will honor the competitor’s prices. This will save you time, money for school supplies, and money for gas.
   • Get an early start so you do not miss good sales.
   • Buy extra of the school supplies that are a recurring need such a pencils, notebooks, and folders.

4. Back to School Shopping on a Dime
   
   Gather up all the change from each member of the family.
   • According to Coinstar, Inc. gathering all the dimes, nickels, pennies, and quarters can add up to just under $100.
   • That should be enough to buy new under garments or a new pair of shoes.

5. Go Back to School Late
   
   There is much to be said for shopping early yet shopping late can bring in the best prices for back to school supplies and clothes.
   • Stores will mark down the items after school starts. Just be prepared not to get the trendy lunchbox since those were sold before school began.
   • Your child will see the trendy styles and be able to choose the fashion that the other kids are wearing.

6. Back to School Shopping on the Internet
   
   The Internet is a great tool for comparison shopping.
   • Most online stores offer free shipping and you could save money on gas, to.
   • Locate brick and mortar store coupons and special promotions before you go out shopping.
   • Finding the cost of essential school supplies and ‘wish list’ clothes on the Internet helps to pull together a realistic budget.

7. Buy Back to School Items with Student Discounts
   
   Although most student discounts are for college students there may be some for the younger kids.
   • If you do not ask them they can not tell you no.
   • Your savings could be substantial.

Tips & Warnings

• Back to school shopping budgets can be maintained by being organized. Take a few minutes to implement these suggestions and see how your back to school shopping budget can be maximized.

Resources

• How to Save Money on School Supplies During Tax-Free Holidays

[theplantlady]

on 8/17/2009 Thanks - there's many unique tips here

[HowardBThiname]

on 7/19/2009 Excellent back to school info. Five Stars.