Saving Money On School Clothes

It's back to school time again. Here are some tips and advice for saving money on school clothes.

Take Stock

Before school starts we take inventory on what clothes are needed before we even go shopping. Because we bought various shirts during the summer at garage sales and such for our son and his jeans all still (miraculously) fit him and are in good shape, we discovered that all he needed was a pair of shorts, some socks, underwear and new shoes for his ever-growing feet. I find that doing the same for school supplies (I keep a stockpile), lunch boxes and backpacks also helps us to save money.

By Michelle

Crafty Ideas

My husband, mother and I all sew. So before school starts we collect materials and make my daughter various items we know she can wear and we don't care if they get dirty, torn or stained. We make biker shorts for under her dresses. Regular slip on shorts for the early fall and later summer days and we make skirts or dresses that can be mixed and matched.

I also take her old jeans and jackets add fabric paint and beadazzle the pockets, sides and bottoms to change the look from the previous year. You can add lace, buttons, patches and jewels to just about anything. I am fortunate to have another friend that has a girl my daughters size and we trade items from year to year so the girls wear something new and different (to them.) I also have a younger sister that is tiny and single so she gives us all her upbeat fashion clothes and I just take up the hem or tack the tops so they are age appropriate for my girl.

You can also put an ad in your local Craigslist, Pennysaver or other circulating paper/website and ask for clothes or offer a trade. Moms groups are great for finding deals too. =)

By anita

Thrift and Consignment Stores

I frequent thrift and consignment stores to keep an ever surveying eye on what comes in. Our proof that this works is my husband goes to work wearing carhart jeans and shirts, Levi's and other brand names for pants and shirts. Our son wears clothing in great shape and even brand names that we could never afford on our budget! Sometimes, as with yard sales, if you check in the more expensive places to live you may be amazed at what you find. I also shop for new clothing off season and find great deals, sometimes even cheapear than thrift or consignment prices!

By Joanna Hughes

Yard Sales

We also take inventory before school starts and get them sized up. I even tell the kids wear something you can slip right into at the store over your clothes you are wearing! I hate waiting for dressing rooms! If we are a yard sale I know they can slip them on and off, so my daughter wears her swimsuit and my son his shorts and it all works out!

But we do thrift stores and yard sales, we don't have many consignment shops in my part of Maine. but we do have some thrift stores, a couple that are not too high in price, otherwise we are always at a good yard sales.

By Lynne

The Boy's Department in Cheaper

My children wore uniforms to school when they were small. Dark Blue/white shirt, khaki pants. You know the drill. Unless it was a skirt, I brought all the clothes in the boys department. It was 2-5 dollars cheaper. Nobody could tell the difference. Saved me a lot of money and headaches.

By Georgetta Ruth

Hand-Me-Downs, Birthdays, Clearance Sales and Ebay

Checking out thrift stores and yard sales is great advice! Even though this is going to be my son's first year at school (kindergarten), he's attended preschool part-time since he was a baby. Here are a few things I've always done to be frugal when it comes to his clothing:

• I have a coworker whose son is a year older than my son. She's always willing to give me her son's outgrown clothing, so that's a big help! I'm not too proud to accept hand-me-downs! If there's clothing left over that I won't be using for my son, I donate it to a local homeless shelter (assuming that my coworker doesn't want any of it anymore either).

• My son's birthday is near the end of summer, so if anyone asks me what to get him for gifts, I always mention that he could use some new clothing or underwear. This year he got about three new outfits, which I'll put away for school. (Don't worry though, he still gets plenty of fun gifts too!)
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• I'm fanatical about clearance sales! This summer, one of my local stores had "boutique" clothing for 75% off. I bought a few "big name" shirts for under $5 each, and those were also put away for school. Also, here in WI, it'll probably still be fairly warm when school first begins. I'll take advantage of clearance sales in the stores, and buy some low-priced short sleeved shirts that my son will be able to wear for a while--if it gets too chilly for the short sleeves, I can always have him wear a long sleeved shirt beneath them for a layered look, or put a sweatshirt over them!

• I sign up for store e-mail lists. I just got a certificate in the mail a few weeks ago for 15% off of my total purchase at one popular children's store. They just had a big sale, so I was able to get a double discount! Yay!
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• I'm also an eBay fan. I sell on there, and the proceeds from what I sell, I turn around and use to buy some clothing for my son. Often, you can find some great deals on new clothes--you just have to look!

I hope some of these tips will help somebody else as much as they've helped me through the recent years! Good luck on a frugal start to the school year!

By Lisa Kless

RE: Saving Money On School Clothes

I love this one as I have always bought all these types of things on a year round basis rather than just when needed. I watch the sales! I buy when when items are on sale as opposed to just buying when needed. I also put $5.00 per week on the side to save for unexpected items.

By Denise