Take inventory of what you already have – Consider it the back-to-school fashion show. Have the kids pull out their brown paper bag of school supplies and uniforms out of the closet, sit down and go through everything. The backpack is good condition – check. The tennis shoes still fit – check. Still have three pair of pants that fit – great double check! Now, make a list of what is still needed then you are prepared to go shopping.
Find sales online – During your lunch break each Monday, browse Sunday inserts for Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Wal-Mart, and Target. Then go online to find the best deals, writing down the coupon codes for more savings. For example, a recent sale included buying loose-leaf paper for a penny from Staples with only a $5 purchase. Also, buying the store brands saves big money. You do realize those are often produced by the name brands you love and just offered wholesale to the stores who pass on the savings.
Arrange a back-to-school family and friend swap – Call up your friends and family and swap clothes. By partnering up with a family with older girls, one mother received four pairs of Converse tennis shoes in good condition. She simply had to replace shoestrings with pretty ribbons to give them new life.
Try replacing buttons on old uniform with cute ladybug buttons from a local craft store or add rhinestone transfers of the school’s mascot to cardigans and jackets to turn old clothes into new treasures. Just a note: several stores sell transfers ($2-$6) on Harry Hines that will also press them for free.
Buy used uniforms – Check on your school district’s website for PTA sales. Sometimes you can purchase gently used items for a $1 per piece. Spending as little as $20 per girl can yield five uniform shirts, five long sleeve shirts or sweaters, five pairs of paints, and five skirts. That is enough uniforms for two weeks.
Go Double “O” (online and outlet) for clothes – The Children’s Place and Old Navy are great for school clothes because only do the kids like the clothes but they offer coupons online that can be used even at their outlet stores. And if you want to avoid long lines and beat the heat; most major retailers have fantastic clearance online and you can have it shipped to a store for free most of the time.
