Some kids will wear almost whatever you put in their closets. Others, well, not so much. If your child balks at the slightly outré ankle break in a pair of pants or hates the chafing of a pullover with pilling in the armholes, you need to up your game. Shop at consignment boutiques, secondhand stores and yard sales in your community's trendy or upscale neighbourhoods to get better quality used clothes.
Shop Airmiles
If you use Airmiles reward cards, avoid store lineups and earn Airmiles points by shopping online through Airmilesshops.ca. Simply type in your collector number, and then load up on back-to-school togs from well-priced national retailers ranging from American Eagle to Zellers. Save money down the road by using your points towards travel or product discounts.
Shop used online
Search for used kids' clothes on eBay, Craigslist or Kijiji to get yard-sale prices without having to spend the weekend trawling actual yard sales.
Buy later
Let your kid get a few new back-to-school pieces now so they'll be excited about returning to class, but reserve the heavy-duty reinforcements until fall clothing goes on deep discount in a few weeks. Your kids will have a better idea of what they truly "must have" by then, too.
Buy year-round
You can reduce your back-to-school shopping considerably in the future if you stock up throughout the year. Buy from this season's sales racks in next year's sizes, but remember to stick to the basics: jeans, khakis, yoga pants, plain short- and long-sleeve tees and hoodies. Avoid any trendy styles, logos or branded personalities in case your kid wants nothing to do with Hannah Montana this time next year.
Read more:
• How to find eco-friendly school supplies
• How to monitor your teens progress at school
• Help kids adjust to a new school
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