Back to School: Saving on Kids' Clothing

Back to school means expenses! Clothes, supplies and fees can drain a frugal budget quickly, so it's worth the trouble to plan before shopping. How and what you buy in clothing can make a difference in what you need to spend right away, as well as throughout the school year.

We sometimes just assume that we need a certain type of clothing in a certain amount, but if you take a good long look at what clothes you or your child actually needs, you may find differently.

Go through the closet and drawers, making note of what needs to be replaced. While you're at it, check the coat closet. Make a master list - not of everything you have to rush downtown and buy tomorrow, but of things that are needed that you can keep an eye out for. Make note of colors and styles that need to be matched.

For the basic things, you won't even need to bring your kindergartener or first or second grader. You can shop more efficiently if you know what you're going for and have no interrruptions.

The basics include underwear and socks. Buying very high quality underwear for growing children is a waste of money, since they will soon grow out of them and underwear is one thing most people won't buy or don't want second hand. Don't go too cheap though... underwear needs to be comfortable!

Buy socks all the same color. When a sock gets lost or wears out, you won't have one sock left that can't be worn with anything else. (If you notice that socks are wearing on the toe or heel, darn them. It's not so hard and it will extend the life of the sock.)

If your school requires uniforms, see if you can find used uniforms. Ask friends and/or neighbors whose children go to the same school if they know where you might find them. If their children are a size larger than yours, of course, it's a simple matter. Keep your eyes open at garage sales and local thrift shops.

A good rule of thumb is to spend more money on the lower half of the body - pants and skirts - than the upper shirts and tops. Solid color pants or skirts can be mixed or matched with less expensive tops. Jeans, if allowable, wear well and "go with" just about any shirt from t-shirts to button downs.

Even less money can be spent on accessories. Things like scarves, belts, ties and jewelry, when bought carefully can make plain clothes look trendy. They can also change the look from day to day, so it will look as if your child has a huge wardrobe!

A real money saving strategy is to wait until [i]after[/i] school starts and all the hoopla dies down to shop for clothes. Overstocked items will be on sale then.

Don't let this all fly out the window if you shop second hand for your children's back to school clothes. Apply the same rules as much as possible. Look for quality pants and skirts and let the kids choose their favorites when it comes to tops.

Take the time to think through your back to school purchases. Make lists and stick to the lists. You may have to revise them, but at least you won't be revising your budget to accomodate high back to school expenses.