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I cringe thinking of Back to School Shopping. In some ways I’m excited to start the new school year, in other ways I’m thinking of homework, early bedtime, crazy after-school activity schedules, and then I’m thinking MONEY. Back to School shopping is extremely expensive. With 2 school aged children who are extremely active I have to buy good quality clothing and shoes, but after including school & classroom fees, school supplies, not to mention all the after-school activities, just getting through the front for of school will put a hole in someone’s purse.
Top Tips on Back to School Uniform Shopping:
1. Bottoms are great to buy at a thrift stores, consignments shops, and at local garage sales:
The key to buy in advance and throughout the year. If you see a pair of uniform bottoms at a thrift store or garage sale, go ahead and pick it up. Many good name brands last many years, why not stock up on the next size up if your presented with the opportunity.
2. Clothing Swaps:
Host or attend a Clothing Swap with your friends, family, or neighbors. Your employer may also allow you to do this on a Friday after work is completed. Any clothes left over can be donated to your local school/organization or a local thrift store.
3.Buy discount AFTER store sales have run it’s course:
I love buying sizes before they are needed especially for my son. He has been growing at an extreme rate and I can’t seem keep up with current sizing. I buy ahead and keep all extra pieces in a tote so I can go through the school year and rotate sizing that are not fitting anymore. I do the same thing with shoes that I see deep discounted.
4. Buying New? Buy low cost NOW & beat the BTS rush:
Personally, I’m partial to Academy Sports & Outdoors. I like their quality on Tops & Bottoms and think their prices are very good. I find I can get tops cheaper at Academy than at Walmart & they are longer lasting. I have NEVER had bottoms rip on my children , even my son who will occasionally forget to change his clothing after-school and start rough playing outside in the yard.
5. More isn’t Always Better:
Don’t over purchase school uniform! I have caught some great sales in the past and had more than my kids actually wore in the school week rotation. Luckily for me, I bought at such a deep discount that I was not out of money, but had I bought too many at regular price I would have thrown away my money, or in my case, given money away to someone else. I buy 5 sets of uniform per child. Since we are in S.E Louisiana we pretty much wear shorts with the exception of a few weeks in January & February.
What is your strategy for surviving the BTS Uniform Shopping Budget Buster?
Great tips! We are actually going shopping for uniforms this week to beat the back-to-school rush!
Great tips! Currently I don’t have to worry about school uniforms, but I know some people who do-so this post would come in handy for them!
My daughter is finally going to a new school – which means no more uniforms!!
I have never known any schools where I live to make the kids where uniforms, but they have talked about it. Who knows, they may do it soon.
Dawn
http://www.cheapisthenewclassy.com
The local Catholic school requires uniforms. I actually like the idea of uniforms. Thanks for the great tips!
We never had uniforms. I was lucky that my kids b-days were around start of school so they received a lot of clothes from grandparents
My daughter needs uniforms this year, and I am not looking forward to buying them-thanks for the useful tips
I just started BTS uniform shopping for the kids. If you can wait closer to Sept/Oct they always start marking them down. Our school offers a BTS uniform swap before school starts too. That is a great way to get clothes that kids just grew out of but is in still good condition.
Great tips! My kids don’t attend uniform schools, but I work at one. I’m always on the lookout for cheap uniform items for students in need or to keep in the classroom as “extras”