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Home › Articles › Back to School Headquarters › Back to School, Not Back to Broke

Back to School, Not Back to Broke

Cost-cutting Ideas for School Supplies

By April E. Clark

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With such sound advice from experienced mothers and a little help from the Internet, saving on back-to-school shopping has never been so easy. Just heed the words of a mother of nine and don't panic – the savings will surely come.

Basics for Back-to-school Savings

Trish Garvis, mother of nine and author of Get More for Your Money, is a master of thriftiness. Here she offers her top 5 favorite ideas on saving money when sending the kids back to school:

1. Take an inventory – Rummage through drawers and closets and ask the children to try on clothes. "If they have several shirts, avoid wasting money on buying more," she says. "Instead, focus on more pants or skirts." She also advises creating a list of sizes and colors needed to complete different outfits.

2. Don't make your kid be a dork – "Even if you're out of touch with the latest styles, you can help your child fit in," Garvis says. Peruse newspaper ads to get a general idea of what's in and out of style. "It may be a peasant top for girls or baggy pants for boys," she says. "Find a couple of items that are in style and mix them with standards from your child's current wardrobe. You don't have to buy several complete outfits of trendy clothes, as one or two trendy pieces can be enough. It is important to help your child fit in socially, and if the purchase of two shirts helps, it's worth it."

3. Look ahead to spring, as early as fall – "Buy an extra pair of jeans in the next size up if the price is great now," Garvis says. "Also, purchase a pair of khaki or navy pants from the school uniform section to have on hand for dressy occasions for your son, even if your school doesn't require uniforms. They will be easy to find, durable and on sale in August." Also when buying clothes for fall and winter, check out the summer clearance section for spring shorts and T-shirts. "The prices will be excellent," she says. "And you'll have a few new basics on hand for the end of the school year when the weather changes."


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