Avoid paying retail for back-to-school items...
Start at Home..... you might be surprised by how many supplies are already in the house. Send the kids on a scavenger hunt; whoever finds the most items on the lists gets a prize.
Leave the kids at home... if you can! You are more apt to avoid impulse buys if your daughter isn't there begging for a Justin Bieber notebook.
Shop Tax Free... Visit www.taxadmin.org/fta/rate/sales_holiday.html to find out about which days to shop tax free. Virginia is August 5-7.
Get Classics for Free... Download books for no cost. Try gutenberg.org.
Make one trip to shop at a store that price-matches... Staples, Office Depot and Office Max all have price-match policies, meaning if you see an advertised price on a certain item, any of the three businesses will honor that figure (including instant rebates). So pore over the circulars, then save gas money. Even better, shop during the tax-free weekend.
Hold out for the Fall Sales... No one needs 10 new fall outfits on the first day of school. Transition summer clothes by layering until stores start discounting... which usually starts in late September.
Swap before you shop... Clothing exchanges are fun to do with your friends. Or try a website like zwaggle.com. Also consider selling old sports equipment and instruments and using the credit or cash to buy the next size at usedsports.com.
Lots of great information!
ReplyDeleteLove the shop at home idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I often get sucked into buying too many fall clothes for my girls on tax free weekend that end up not fitting by Christmas. Bought cardigans this year to wear over the top of short sleeves instead.
ReplyDelete