The Cheapskate’s Guide to School Shopping

Don’t be worried because the school shopping season is upon us. You can still splurge on your kids while saving a bundle. It’s easy if you know how. Anyone from the beginning preschooler to the collegiate in their senior year can benefit from being thrifty and smart.

1. Make it yourself. Remember when your Mom used to sew your school clothes? Well, it’s your turn now. You can easily save by making skirts and pants for the little ones. Kids can also help by picking our what patterns appeal to them. For the older kids you can have a Project Runway where they can help sew (this is a perfect time to teach them about sewing buttons and readjusting hems too). Your dorm students can also sew some of their furnishings, like curtains, duvets, shams and bean bag chairs.
2. Be thrifty. Consignment stores are a great way of finding good school clothes for a lot less. Surprisingly enough you can also find designer duds too for your choosy teens and tweens. Another good thing about them is that you can also find some kitchenware and furniture for your college bound kids too.
3. Target this. And Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Look to these three giants to find everything from shoes to book bags. All three have an excellent selection of clothing as well as school materials. Staples is also the best place for discounted school supplies with schools giving Staples in your area must have lists for each grade. Ikea is the perfect furniture place for your future dormies. You can buy a desk plus sheets and pillows for low prices. (Just make sure you know how to put the desk and anything else you buy together)
4. Computer sale savvy. August is also the time when many on line companies are offering not only discounts but free shipping. Look to see what L.L. Bean and Land’s End have to offer as well as J.Crew‘s site. You’re not only getting quality clothing but also major sales on apparel that is well made and sturdy. Check out the many on line book stores that have text books as low as seventy five cents for your college kids.
5. Swap meets. The new thing is bartering last year’s clothes for slightly new or used. Several schools across the US have this kind of gathering in their gyms. Parents swap their kids outgrown gear and then barter for clothing in their current sizes. It makes sense especially when your little ones have to have uniforms or need gym clothes. Also it’s a great way to clean out closets too.
6. Ups and downs. Rely on that old practice of hand-me-downs, If you have a few kids, then make sure those jeans and dresses get reused. If one of your little darlings doesn’t want the older one’s hoodie or pants, then have them refashion them. They could add their initials on a back pocket or a hoodie’s front. Lace could be added on a plain blouse or a favorite tee could be tie dyed for a new look. Also buy in sizes that could fit two or three kids if they’re close in age. Don’t just limit to your immediate brood. Swap with nieces and nephews along with cousins as well.
7. Yards of sales. Yard sales are great way of finding all sorts of bargains. This is where you can get expensive Crocs for a few bucks along with a reading lamp for a quarter. Check out slightly used formal gowns for the homecoming queen or even computers for those budding techies. Yard sales are a fantastic and cheap way of furnishing off campus apartments too. Just remember to thoroughly check out all appliances though. That toaster that your kid got for three bucks may have a frayed wire or that ironing board may collapse after its’ first use. Double check everything before you buy.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to give your kid what he or she wants. You can provide them with everything from trendy clothes to schoolroom staples. The best part is providing everything while providing yourself with money to spare.