Back-to-School on a Budget

Budgeting for your back-to-school shopping, especially in today's economy, can be tough. Staying within that budget can be even tougher. With a little planning, it is possible to stick to your budget and still get all the things you child needs for the coming school year.

The Basics

Get that supply list early. Schools often post supply lists on their website. Many schools have supply lists available at your local Wal-Mart. Once you have your supply list, take inventory to see if you have any of the items on hand and if any of last year's items can be reused.

Buy "staple" items such as loose leaf paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, and notebooks in bulk. Wal-Mart and K-Mart often have great sales on these items in the weeks before school starts. Dollar stores are great places to buy these items as well. Buy as much as your budget will allow because, let's face it, one sheaf of loose leaf paper and a couple of notebooks aren't going to last the entire school year.

Clothing

Remember, growing kids are just that, growing! Clothing that fits in August may not fit in October. Avoid the temptation to buy lots of clothes. Look for sales ads, and check the bargain racks at your favorite stores. Check your area for outlet stores; they often carry name brand clothing at a fraction of the price. Don't overlook garage sales, thrift stores, and hand-me-downs. Kids often outgrow perfectly good clothing long before they wear it out, and you'll pay a fraction of what it costs in stores. Make yourself familiar with your school's dress code, and stay away from any clothing that might be considered inappropriate.

Use your shopping trip as a teaching opportunity. Make bargain shopping fun and help kids to learn to be cost conscious. Yes, that $80 pair of sneakers is nice, but chances are you can find the same style (less the expensive brand name, of course) for a lot less. Do, however, try to budget for a special item or outfit your child really wants.

Tax-Free Weekends

Depending on your state sales tax percentage, shopping on a "tax-free weekend" can help stretch your back-to-school budget. In some states the savings can be significant. The following states offer tax-free weekends during the back-to-school shopping season: view the list here.