Back-to-School Shopping

My kids used to love to go school shopping. It didn't matter if we were shopping for school supplies or school clothes it was an event they looked forward to each year. Since I had four children, shopping for supplies was a group outing, this allowed us to take advantage of bulk purchases on generic items like pencils, erasers and glue.

As with most families with multiple children, we were on a budget. I would plan special shopping days throughout the summer to take advantage of the many sales offered before the back-to-school shopping rush. This allowed us to save some money and spend one-on-one time with each child making the shopping experience special and memorable.

Here are some guidelines for taking the stress out of back-to-school shopping.

• Take inventory and use the teacher's supply list. Sort through last year's supplies and see what items can be recycled. If you purchased generic items in bulk last year, you may have paper, pencils or erasers left over. Utilizing the teachers supply list will help you keep focused on needs versus wants and help keep spending within your budget. Dollar stores can be a great resource for generic items like pencils, erasers and folders.
• Make a comprehensive clothing list. Plan to purchase mix and match items to stretch your budget dollars. Purchasing mix and match coordinates will increase your child's wardrobe options. Pre-planning purchases will also help stay within the desired budget. As children grow older name brand clothing becomes more important, you may consider shopping at second hand stores to acquire these items at a reduced price.
• Define a budget. Before heading to the mall, define a budget for the trip and stick to it. If you start early, you will have plenty of time to take advantage of sales and purchase everything needed before school starts.

Shopping online can also save time and money. I wish that option had been available when my kids were young. There are many organizations that offer discounted supplies and a kick back to schools. As education budgets shrink participating in fundraising activities can provide a win/win solution for families and schools.

Gearing up for the school year can have a profound affect on your children's attitude toward school. Taking time to prepare for shopping for new clothes and supplies can reduce the stress and make it a positive experience.