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Shopping for Supplies and Clothes for the New Academic Year
One of the best times to buy school supplies and clothes is during an off season. For example, parents can purchase autumn fashions during the winter and spring fashions at the start of the school year. Thanks to the Internet, seasonal garments can be purchased year round.
Stick to a Budget When School Shopping
Create a budget prior to leaving home and heading out to the store. The budget should include space to write down each child’s pant, shirt and coat size. Parents should focus on buying enough clothes to dress the child for the first one to three months of the school year. That will help parents to stick to their budget.
Parents should ask children to go through their closets and set aside clothes that they can wear in the new school year. The urge to feel in style, not necessity, is often the main reason that parents rush out to the mall or department stores and go into debt to purchase hundreds of dollars of clothes for their children each new academic year.
Children who demand to have loads of the latest fashions and insist that not having the clothes will destroy them might be sending their parents a signal that they need help with their self-esteem more than they need new clothes.
Take Advantage of Online and Offline Savings
Mothers and fathers might consider shopping at online stores like WalMart, Kmart, Sears and JCPenney to purchase winter coats, light weight pants and sweaters. Parents should check out retailer and mail order catalogs like Delias, Hot Couture, Wet Seal and Blue Fly.
Look for catalogs that offer 40% - 80% discounts on summer fashions which are going out of season, free gift cards valued at $100 or more and free shipping for purchases of at least $75. Some retailers offer cataloged garments at a 50% savings. Geddes offers a 10% discount on all school supply orders through August 1.
Target stores that offer discounts for bulk purchases to get deeper cost savings. Search for sales that offer a second item for free after one item of the same price is purchased at full value. Check the Sunday newspaper and major retailers’ in-store catalogs for special savings and coupons.
Remember to mail in money back coupons, especially on electronics and computer software as some of these money back coupons are valued at $50 or more. Websites like Coupons Dealuxe and Fabulous Savings offer clothing coupons that parents can print at home and take into the store with them to receive added savings.
Shop for School and Not to Appease Adolescent Demands
Steer clear from shopping solely to appease or to delight children. Parents who take the lead in the process of shopping for school supplies and clothes can realize significant savings. The sooner the trend is set, the more easily school shopping becomes.
Parents who have a hard time setting limits with their children can visit stores to pick up school supplies absent their offspring so that they stay within their budget. Many schools leave specific supplies that each grade needs at stores like Staples, Kmart and WalMart. Parents can ask the store cashier for the list of supplies for the school and grade their children are in. Buy enough supplies to last one to three months.
Keep in mind that the goal is to purchase enough clothes and school supplies to last the first one to three months of the school year. When older children demand to have specific name brand outfits, encourage them to take on additional chores around the house or to get a part-time job so they learn the value of work and money. Parents should stick to a budget and look for buy one, get one free deals, catalog specials and off season sale items.
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