Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
In less than two weeks, my daughters head back to the classroom for a new academic year. It seems just like yesterday we were celebrating the last day of school. As more districts trend toward balanced calendars with earlier start dates, it’s easy for a parent to feel behind before the Back to School clothes shopping season even begins. That’s exactly why you need to take a day or two (even today if you can!) to begin formulating a plan to own the aisles when you do shopping for your little scholars.
Begin With An Inventory
Before you purchase anything, you should have a good handle on what you already have. This will help you have a better grasp on your child’s actual size and keep from duplicating wardrobe pieces. Spend an afternoon cleaning out the closets and drawers, eliminating items that no longer fit, recalling the specificities of the dress code, and outlining what you have that will be fine to begin the school year wearing. Donate or pass down items that you can no longer use. Write down what you truly need to buy. Aim to choose interchangeable pieces that can be worn in a number of combinations.
Start Out With What You Have
Typically, we don’t purchase too many new clothing items for the beginning of the school year. Instead, we wait two to three months into calendar year and then buy what we need once the prices drop a little. Pick one “First Day” outfit and leave the rest on the rack.
Shop Summer Clearance
If your child has grown like a weed of the summer, you may still need a few things, though. But, let’s face it. Even though those jeans and hoodies are adorable, you won’t really be able to wear them until late into the fall. Especially if your child begins school in July or August, it’s likely they’ll be going to school for at least a month in 80 and even 90 degree weather. Instead of looking at the latest fashions, check out the items on the clearance section. Again, in a couple of months the prices on the back to school marketed clothing items will drop in price.
Coupons. Always coupons.
Before you hit any store, you want to be sure that you have properly armed yourself with coupons and reward programs. For clothes in particular, I’d suggest you check out the posts The Best Ways to Save Money at Kohl’s, The Best Ways to Save Money at Walmart, The Best Ways to Save Money at Meijer, and The Best Ways to Save Money at Target. At a bare minimum I’d suggest you Google coupons and rewards programs before you enter the store (at home where you can print coupons would be even better). This will help you maximize the dollars you have budgeted, stretching them further. If you’re shopping in store, don’t forget to use Shopkick. If you’re shopping online, consider using Ebates.
What to Do About Uniforms
While our school does not require uniforms, many do. Luckily many of the above principles apply to uniforms, too. However, you may want to wait a little later into the fall to purchase items on clearance. Typically, you can find the greatest reductions in November through January of the next year. You might also want to see if your school hosts an exchange program where families can give and receive items that no longer fit. If they don’t you might consider starting one! Don’t forget about checking at consignment or thrift stores, too. Comb through online retailers’ like The Children’s Place clearance stock, too. Be sure to pair the sales with coupons and the rewards program there, too! 🙂 Be generous with your hand-me-downs, helping other families who could use a break.
One last admonition: be sure you actually budget how much you want to spend and take cash with you to the store instead of using your debit card. If you use plastic, you’ll always spend more money. Be realistic and help your child wade through choices so you don’t go overboard.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
