Back to school shopping doesn’t have to overwhelm your budget. The key is to find a smart way to recycle and to save. And where money is being spent – make a plan and stick to it. Take Inventory. What school supplies and clothes does your child already have? Why go back to school shopping for items your child doesn’t need? If your child doesn’t want to use the same backpack or pencil case two years in a row consider swapping with a sibling or creatively decorating it. The process of taking stock of what your child already has helps her see what needs to be purchased and what doesn’t. It’s also a good time to discuss the difference between needs and wants. Evaluate what fits and what doesn’t. Get your child to try on any back to school clothing that’s questionable. Analyze items that fit. How many different outfits can you make? What types of garments are missing? Will it be worn? Chances are good the process of taking inventory of your child’s clothing has resulted in the discovery of some items that aren’t being worn. Now is the time to open up a dialogue re: the type of clothes and colors she prefers. If it won’t be worn, why buy it? Invest in basics. Purchase quality back to school apparel in favorite colors that is classically styled and coordinates with multiple wardrobe items. Pair up with the odd trendy piece for a signature look. Socks and underwear. If your child is in need of a new supply of socks and undergarments now is the time to buy them. Department stores usually offer great ‘back to school” deals on multi-packs. Set a spending limit. This tip is especially important for older children who favor designer labels. To keep a handle on spending and to avoid arguments later decide on a spending limit upfront. Instead of setting limits on individual items, consider setting one large dollar amount for all back to school items. By doing this, your child takes an ownership in the process and gains valuable spending experience. Encourage your child to keep track of how much is being spent on back to school supplies and clothing by saving receipts and by keeping an ongoing list of what has been purchased and for how much. You many also wish to hold a little money back until after school starts and your child sees what others are wearing.
‘C’ is for compromise. Often children feel undue pressure to wear what their peers are wearing or have what other children have. This is where compromise is important. The occasional compromise can be just what your child needs to feel more accepted. The key for parents and kids is balance. That said you may want to remind your child we are not what we own, wear, or drive. She is a truly remarkable and worthy individual simply for who she is. Unfortunately advertisements tend to leave young people feeling that if they don’t have this or that they aren’t valuable – it simply isn’t true. If your child routinely wants more than you can afford or feel you want to spend, consider giving her an allowance or encourage her to get a job to earn some spending money. It’s been my experience that children with ‘their own money’ learn to make careful spending decisions. Prioritize new purchases. Start with a list of back to school shopping ‘must haves’ followed by a list of ‘would likes’. Shop with a list. Head to the mall with a list of required items in hand as well as any items of clothing you wish to match. Don’t drive around. You’re wasting time and gas by shopping all over. Pick two or three places to do your back to school shopping. Office supply and department stores typically have the best deals on back to school supplies. Stock up. If you find some basic school supplies like notebook and computer paper, glue sticks, report folders etc. that you know your child will go through quickly stock up while they’re on sale. This way, you won’t have to pay top dollar during a ‘crisis’ shop later in the school year. Buy in bulk. If you see bulk savings on office supplies consider splitting the supplies and cost with a fellow parent who won’t mind saving a few dollars. Quality vs. price. It’s true quality items usually last longer but they aren’t always worth the price. When weighing quality and price it’s often best to consider how long it will fit or how long it will last. Can it be returned? There’s nothing worse than bringing a purchase home and finding out it has a flaw or doesn’t fit and then being unable to return it. Check out the store’s return policy before you make your purchase. Alternatives to mall shopping. Not all purchases need to be new. For many families, especially those with several kids, back to school shopping could break the bank.. After all, new clothing once washed is just the same as something purchased secondhand. School uniforms. Before buying new school uniforms query parents of older students to see if they have any gently worn clothing that has been outgrown. You may also want to place a classified ad looking to purchase school clothing of a particular size or call your child’s school to see if there’s a used uniform sale in the works.
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