10 Ways to Stretch Your Back to School Clothing Budget

Trying to keep school clothes shopping from breaking the bank?  Here are our tips for stretching your "Back To School" Clothes dollar:

1. Set your budget - It doesn't matter if you are buying for 1 child or a family of 4 kids, or whether they are starting pre-school or high school....set your budget before shopping.  This will help to alleviate any overspending and filling up credit cards needlessly.
2. Do your homework (no pun intended) - Search online for "discount kids clothes" or "kids clothing sales" or some similar search term to find current sales.  Most stores run very good sales, offer coupons and discounts on kids clothes during late July and August.  Many will offer free shipping if your total purchase reaches a certain amount.   This is great since you can shop at home and keep your gas in your car!  Of course, it is also smart to read your Sunday advertisements in the paper, local papers, and other sources for the latest sales on department and discount stores in your area.  This will help you to map out a course when you head out to shop.   
3. Go through existing clothing - If you are like most moms, you don't realize how many clothes your kids already have!  It is prudent to go through the drawers and closets of each of your children.  Check to see what will still fit for starting school.  This will help you not to duplicate or buy too many styles that may only be worn a few weeks!
4. Determine your needs / make a list - Particularly for older kids, we suggest getting some ideas of what they are looking for in clothing styles.  This combined with our suggestion of trying on existing clothing will help you to develop a list of the clothing that you will need on your shopping trip or your online shopping searches.  By knowing and discussing what your children prefer BEFORE you are in the store will also help to minimize the conflict that could ensue when you tell them "NO" to that $200 pair of jeans!  Set expectations before shopping!
5. Splurge on items that are essential, long wearing, or worn frequently - Many adults do this---splurge on the black jacket that is versatile for the day but works at night, too.  This rule can also apply to styles for kids.  For instance, a navy blue or black cardigan sweater for girls will coordinate with most any outfit...it is versatile as a cute style piece but also to keep them warm when the air conditioners are working overtime in the classroom.  Also, shoes for boys and girls should be comfortable and durable....these are the types of things where  you may choose to spend more money to acquire.
6. Save on items that complete the wardrobe - The best places to save money are on items that basically "fill-in" the wardrobe for school.  If you son has 3 great looking styles of polo shirts, but needs a couple of updated T-shirts, find them on sale.  T-shirts come in so many colors and with hundreds of logos, themes, and screen prints...they are easy to find on sale.   Another approach - many times it is warm when school begins....your daughter may have 2 or 3 cool sundresses that still fit from the summer wardrobe.  If you need to fill in with some shorts or tops, shop the summer clearances sales which are everywhere during August.  Also look for sales on new socks, underwear, hair accessories.
7. Be ready for peer pressure - Many kids, especially the older ones, are highly influenced by their friends and pop culture.  Oftentimes, this pressure equals big money!  Make sure your kids know what clothing will be allowed and what the budget will be.  If they are dying for the latest jeans that cost $125, you may let them purchase them.....but they will be bought within the budget which means they won't be getting as many different items to start school.    Making it clear with your kids what is allowed will also help keep you from splurging to buy high dollar items at the last minute after the budget is already spent!
8. Avoid common overspending pitfalls - Overspending can happen in many ways...most commonly it happens with impulse purchases.  Do your best to know what you want when you embark on your school shopping spree....don't let the BIG sale on a name brand cute studded jean jacket for your pre-schooler distract from buying the jeans and tops you set out to purchase.  (Besides, pre-schoolers won't be wearing the jacket for long....)
9. Have fun! - Try to make school clothes shopping a fun annual event....whether you sit at the computer together and shop online...or make a day of it at the mall with lunch in between....try to enjoy the day and the time with your kids.  (The day will come all to soon when they graduate and school shopping will be a thing of the past!)
10. Shop At Bunny Creek! ( A little self-advertisement is OK sometimes!) - OK, so #10 is a little self-advertisement.  We do hope you will take a look at what we have to offer at Bunny Creek.   We pride ourselves on being the "affordable" online kids clothing provider.   Have fun shopping!