Back-to-school shopping strategy

back-to-school shopping strategy 10 great tips to keeping your cool and controlling your cash.

By Kara Ferraro

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail sales during back-to-school shopping months are a close second to those of the holiday months (November and December). Yep, that’s right. No wonder these three little words, back to school, are enough to make your blood pressure rise. What’s the best strategy for keeping your cool and your cash while back-to-school shopping? Here are 10 great tips to help you get organized for the big shopping excursion. 1. Create a plan. You’ve heard the saying, “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.” This holds true when it comes to back-to-school shopping. Start off by getting a list of recommended or required school supplies from your child’s school or teacher. 2. Take inventory. Sort through all of last year’s school supplies, office supplies, and those overflowing junk drawers. You are bound to come up with a few items you can cross off your list. Also take note of your child’s clothing conditions and inventory. If everything from last year fits and is in good condition, why go out and buy more? 3 . Separate needs from wants. Work with your child to make a list of essentials they need to start out the school year. Those essentials are everything your child needs. All other items are wants. Be firm and stick to your needs list.

4 . Hold off on buying trendier gear. Does last year’s backpack or lunch box work just fine? If so, suggest to your child that you purchase a new one after school begins. Once school starts, your child will most likely see a version someone else has that they prefer. This will save you the step of having to ‘upgrade’ to the trendier version later. 5. Reuse. Are last year’s binders and folders in good shape? If so, encourage your child to redecorate them using stickers, fabric, or extra wrapping paper you have on hand. 6. Purchase school supplies in-store. Shopping online may be convenient and great for comparative shopping. However, a study by BIGresearch estimates that online shoppers spend 44 percent more than those who purchase items in person. 7 . Stock up on supplies. Bulk buy whenever possible, especially if some of the essential school supplies are items you use around the house all year. Prices for most school-related items seem to increase a few weeks after school begins. 8. Recycle. This is a great time to start asking friends for hand-me-downs. It’s also smart to shop all of the consignment shops in your area. In addition to shopping consignment stores for school essentials, you can cash in on some of your child’s outgrown items by consigning them.

9. Have your kids chip in for back-to-school

shopping. Have you ever noticed how amazing it is when your kids have to spend their own money for items they suddenly don’t ‘need’ as much as they thought they did? 10. Shop sales throughout the year. It’s hard to believe that little Taylor has outgrown everything all at once. If she has underwear and socks that fit, don’t add them to the list. Kids are constantly growing, and their essentials wear out at different times. Resist the temptation to shop for everything at one time.

Back-to-school shopping isn’t an art or science that takes years to master. It is important to plan ahead so you don’t get caught up in the hype of the back-toschool frenzy. Start early, get organized, take inventory, and stick to your plan.

Kara is a publisher and freelance writer with two elementaryschool children. She is always looking for clever ways to save money and time. CCM