Ah, the promise of another back-to-school shopping season: Entirely new wardrobes! Stacks of pristine notebooks! Unblemished backpacks! Adorable organizing devices! And, if you completely buy into the promise, a big ol’ credit card bill.
We asked several money-savvy parents who practice living simply and not buying into the parenting frenzy du jour how they rein in spending during the back-to-school season in late summer, as well as the window right after winter break. May their ideas help save you money and lighten your anxiety levels.
Tips for saving on school supplies
1. Wait for teacher’s marching orders
Most teachers send out a list of supplies that kids will be expected to have either for that semester or even for the entire year. Shopping before you get that list just ups your odds that you’ll spend money on things your kids don’t need and won’t use. “If you shop before having must-have lists, you may end up buying the coolest, cutest pencil case ever, only to find out that your child’s teacher doesn’t require that item,” says Denise Schipani, mom of two boys and author of “Mean Moms Rule.” Part of this tip is to also assiduously avoid any items that aren’t on the list — no matter how cool or cheap.
2. Shop at home first
Instead of taking your supply list straight to a retail outlet, see how much you can gather from your craft drawers, closet shelves and file cabinets, suggests Amy Suardi, founder the Frugal Mama blog. “Using what you have teaches kids good values and keeps clutter down at home.” It also gives you a good excuse to capitalize on buying notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, etc., in bulk when it’s on sale.
3. Buy built-to-last for the items that take a beating
There are some things you shouldn’t skimp on: book bags, with their daily dose of lugging ever heavier loads and being tossed across the room, and sneakers, which literally get pounded day after day, are at the top of that list. “I get my bags at L.L. Bean,” says Schipani. “I’ve never had to actually use the warranty policy because the bags last so long my boys’ homework needs to outgrow them before they have a chance to break.” For sneakers, she capitalizes on her mom’s wish to contribute to the back-to-school effort and asks her to take the boys shoe-shopping, a family tradition that’s been passed down through generations.
4. Set the stage for reuse
Here’s a savvy tip from mom-of-five Meagan Francis, co-host of The Mom Hour podcast. Stick with just the last name when labeling kids’ things; you’ll make hand-me-downs less confusing and (hopefully) a little easier to sell. “My youngest son used the same backpack his three older brothers used. He didn’t mind that he didn’t get a new one: In fact, he liked knowing he was using the same pack his cool older brothers did.”
5. Use sales to stock up
One of the good things about the back-to-school season (no matter whether in the summer or winter) is that many stores will put supplies on mega-sale. And they’ll arrange all school-related items in one or two aisles, meaning you also save time. “I stock up when Staples has its penny sales, so I’ll often have extra notebooks and other school supplies on hand,” says Leah Ingram, money expert and blogger. That way, when your child needs a new notebook, you’ll have one that cost one penny when they’re currently selling for $4. Bonus tip: If your state offers sales tax holidays for the back-to-school season, take advantage!
Tips for saving on school clothes
7. Hold off on buying cold-weather clothes
Let’s face it, August and even early September are still pretty hot in most parts of the country. Why spend good money on corduroys in August that will only be too tight and/or too short by the time cooler weather arrives? Instead, wait until the mercury drops a bit, Schipani suggests. “That month of still-warm weather buys you time to sort through the fall clothes and see what can be handed down or given to charity, and what is still useful. Once they get to actually wearing the cooler weather stuff, you can see what they are wearing most often and what they will need.”
8. Try second hand first
Sara Tetreault, blogger and mom of two boys, hits the consignment and thrift stores before visiting the regular retail outlets to save beaucoup dollars. A kids’ shirt that’ll run you $9-$15 new will only set you back $2-$4 used. Or, organize a swap for clothing and supplies with other parents. “You’ll not only save money, you’ll reduce waste,” Tetrault says. Once you see your haul from the second-hand circuit, you’ll have a lot less to buy at full price.
9. Buy less and give back
Tetreault takes donating used clothes to charity one step further with her boys. After going with their mom to drop off their used things at a local nonprofit that provides clothes to underprivileged kids, the boys volunteered at the center for an afternoon. “It helps remind them how much they have to be thankful for, and takes the focus off all the things we aren’t buying.”
