Another school year is almost upon us, which means many families will begin the annual exercise known as “back to school shopping”. Setting your children up for a successful school year does not have to break the bank however, and by following these simple guidelines you can save considerable amounts of money:

•  Make a List: Pull out your child’s wardrobe and go through it to see what still fits. Use well kept hand-me-downs from older siblings to fill younger children’s needs. Make sure to also look at your existing school supply stockpile. Chances are you will find many assorted pens, pencils, notebooks, rulers, and other necessities that still have some life left in them. Now that you know what they have, make a list of what you will need to get them at the store. Stick to this list at the store to eliminate buying unnecessary items or impulse purchases.
• Hit the Garage Sales: Neighborhood garage sales are a good way to find backpacks, school supplies, and even clothes at bargain basement prices. Clothing in particular is often the most expensive part of back to school shopping, so any opportunities to limit these costs will go a long way towards saving you money.
• Check the Sales Fliers: Map out your shopping route by checking the sales fliers in July and August for items on your shopping list. Stores often have a few select items at extreme discounts in order to get shoppers in the store. Check the different stores and plan out your shopping route to take advantage of these “loss leaders” to get truly great deals.
• Start Early: Prices on back to school items often go up right before school starts, so it pays to plan and shop early. Waiting until the last minute will only ensure that you pay more for each item, fail to get needed items, or spend more than needed on unnecessary items.
• Wait an Extra Month or Two: Although your children will most likely need to bring all required school supplies at the beginning of the school year, clothing is an item that you can shop for at any time. Waiting an extra month or two gives you the opportunity to take advantage of retailers’ clearance sales on back to school clothing.

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