Before shopping, go through your child's wardrobe together and assess what pieces they need for back to school. That way you won't load up on shirts only to realize what he was really short on was khakis. You'd be amazed how many garments can be "lost" in the car trunk, back of closets, under beds, behind the laundry machines, underneath hampers, in backpacks and so on, so do a search and rescue first.
Draft a shopping list
Base it on what you find during the previous tip. It'll be easier to stay on track this way.
Designate a shopper
Where possible, one parent should be responsible for overseeing back-to-school shopping. This will avoid overlapping purchases and ensure the correct items are purchased. (In our household, for example, I'm responsible for back-to-school shopping after my husband ended up spending $300 on glittery belts, tights and a snowboarding suit for our 6-year-old, when the actual shopping list consisted of "back-to-school clothes," which perhaps I should have itemized as "pants, skirts and long-sleeve tees.")
Spend more money, buy less often
Quality garments tend to last the longest. Buy one to two sizes up wherever safety isn't an issue (you don't want your daughter tripping on a skirt that's way too long for her) and your kids will get more wear from your wardrobe buck. Remember, cotton outlasts (and is more comfy than) poly, and merino wool is longer-lasting than acrylic. Follow care instructions to the letter to keep clothes in top condition.
Recoup some of your "start-up" costs
You can recover some of your kids' wardrobe costs by re-selling their old clothes at consignment boutiques or used-clothing stores. The best candidates: unstained, on-trend clothes from recognized brands like Gap, Gymboree or The Children's Place and the like. Or sell worn clothing of all kinds at a yard sale.
Host a clothing swap
Invite friends and relatives to meet at your home for a 2-hour clothing swap kaffe klatsch. Everyone brings freshly laundered kids clothing and puts them into designated piles (i.e. girls' tops, boys' shirts, skirts, dresses etc.) All participants get to take home the same number of freebies as they brought in. Serve coffee, tea and treats to encourage lingering and conversation. Much more fun for moms than a trip to the mall – cheaper, too!
Page 1 of 2 -- Learn five more money-saving tips on page 2!
