Easy Back to School Saving Tips

While parents look forward to back to school time, other moms dread the anxiety with their tweens about what items to buy.  Instead of having an argument with your child over what or what not to buy for back to schooltime, use these simple tips for a struggle- free start to the academic year.

Tip #1: Sort through Your Tweens Closet –  Together with your kids look through their wardrobe and finds out what doesn’t fit and what needs to be replaced, either because it’s worn out or no longer fits.  Once you know your baseline, then you can discuss what items need to be bought and what your child really wants.

Tip #2:  Talk with Your Tween –  Before you head out to the mall , sit down and talk with your child about what new clothing items are on their must have list – is it new shoes, a pair of jeans, or some shirts.   They of course, will want the latest looks or what their friends think is cool. Talk to them about the difference between the needs – like a new pair of blue jeans that fit, and wants, like the designer pair of jeans.

Tip #3: Write Up a List – Make a list of what clothing your tween needs, and then a list of what they want .  You can then allocate a certain amount of your overall dollars to the wants vs. the needs.  Your tween can pick out her own school clothes from her needs, but when her money is all used up, and then she’ll know it’s gone.

Tip #4: Make a Budget – Determine how much money in total you have to spend on back to school items. You can plan to spend a certain amount per child, adding in extra the older the child – since tween clothing usually costs more than younger children’s outfits.  Make sure your kids understand the total budget for school shopping.  Have them help you keep track of your purchases, so they understand just how much shopping costs.

Back to school shopping can be filled with tension between you and your tween, but it doesn’t have to be.  Using these tips above, you can have an easy   back to school shopping season this year.