Back to School in Style with a Smile

As summer nears its end and thoughts turn to the return of school days, the budget can take a huge hit. Buying those new back-to-school clothes can be trying and expensive. The older your students become, the more important it is to have just the right look. Some school systems today have made a return to the school uniform, which offers parents and students guidelines for purchasing those back-to-school clothes. However, if your school has not yet made that change, you might consider a few tips for eliminating the stress, anxiety and yes, the high cost of purchasing that school wardrobe.

It is a good idea to sit down with your pre-teens, tweens and teens and actually discuss what they have in mind for this year's school wardrobe. Be open to their ideas and keep the conversation casual and light. Then, discuss with them the budget and how much money you can designate for back-to-school clothes. This helps them to understand that it isn't about you denying them the things they want, but it becomes a matter of finances. Then allow them to make decisions about what they will purchase while staying within your budget. They might be willing to trade that expensive pair of shoes for a less expensive pair in order to buy a couple of name brand outfits instead. If your teens are old enough, they might also contribute earnings from their summer jobs. Negotiate and explain finances instead of just saying "No". It helps to ease the tension and allows the teens to embrace the realities of life.

For younger children, when clothing has not yet become such a huge issue, you can shop thrift stores and yard sales and find some excellent buys in slightly used clothing. Children at these ages seem to grow so fast, they hardly use those clothes, so this is a great way to extend your shopping dollars. You can also network with friends who have children of similar ages and sizes and do some trading. This is especially good if an older friend is a role model for your younger child and your child gets to wear a prized article of clothing that has been outgrown.

Even if you do shop thrift stores, yard sales and do some bartering with friends, it is a good idea to take that youngster shopping for one or two special items. It will help their self-esteem and allow them to express their own personality in their chosen clothing style and backpack.

As a side note, if your students always want to buy clothing that you don't especially like, just be patient. I can assure you that this is just a phase and they all do eventually pass through it and buy clothes that fit properly and actually look good.

You really can get your pre-teens, tweens and teens back to school in style, maintain your sanity and still stay within the family budget.

Source: Mother of two sons - been there, done that!