Back to school shopping with my mom growing up would start with getting up early. Early for her being we would leave the house around 9 am and get to the mall around 10 and spend the entire day shopping. We would go from store to store and end up exhausted. It was like a shopping marathon for me. This is my daughter’s first year at school as she’s starting Kindergarten and I have no idea where to start with back to school shopping. Target has her school supply list and that seemed easy enough but how many new clothes is she supposed to get. One new outfit? Two? Three? I don’t think she needs new clothes but I want her to have something new for her first day, that just seems like tradition.
Do I get her some underwear? How many pairs of shoes? How many new dresses. She loves dresses and it seems that she has grown an inch or two over the summer. I know I’m making mountains out of mole hills here but it’s her first year. It’s my first year. I think it’s just the anxiety of having her go to school but I need serious help.
So What are your tips? From one mom to another, I need your back to school shopping tips. Other than not knowing what I should do for my daughter, I do have some basic shopping tips.
Search for the deals
Bring Coupons with you
Participate in Buy One Get One deals
Know what you need before you go
Stick to your budget.
Visa wants to know your shopping tips.
What are your tips?
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Jean W.
Please see the giveaway rules
take advantage of the tax free shopping weekend and check dollar stores
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Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
Get them as soon as you get the list, before they’re picked over!
I don’t know yet! I would imagine, shop the sales and do it early. Don’t wait for full price items.
I try to shop on our state’s no tax weekend which helps and I watch the sale papers!
My tip is to check the store circulars for the best deals and remember you can price match at Walmart for many items.
In addition to use coupons and shop on sale, always remember to check clearance racks for best deals.
Shop clearance at the end of the school year for next year’s supplies.
i look for good deals
Find the best deals and price match at Walmart.
I shop at children’s consignment stores for clothes and save a ton of money.
Never count out the consignment shops. I love to shop there and trade in my daughter’s clothing. I also take advantage of no tax weekend and combine sales with store coupons and ads
shop on sale and use coupons
I buy throughout the year, whenever I find a great deal!
Shop around online first to look for the best deals, and try to use coupons if possible.
Shop when there are sales and discounts.
Take advantage of early school supply sales. Stock up for the year
My tip is watching for sales, getting any coupons you can get to take with you so you can save
My best tip is to look online for coupons and decide if its cheaper to head to the store or buy online.
Watch for those killer sales on school supplies and stock up for the year
My best tips are to shop for sales! Another great tip if the school has uniforms os to have an exchange at the school!
Make sure you have everything on your list, match with the sales and go on the tax free weekend 🙂
Pinterest: pinktaz60 Link to pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/286400857523981003/ 🙂
Use the sales to stock up for the entire year.
Always buy some stuff for next year at the end of this season!
Put away money as soon as school ends so you have a nice chunk to work with
Check what you already have. I often buy far more than is actually used up during the year, so why buy things again when I already have them!
buy enough for the year since the sales are so good right now
always use coupons and look online for the best deals before shopping!
take advantage of back to school sales
Shop the early sales/deals when you can. I also try to buy extra of things I know will need to be replaced mid-year when they are really cheap during back to school time.
My tip is to shop tax free weekend to save a lot of money.
austma7@aol.com
We buy a few things to start school. And a few too big for later in the year. Same with supplies- buy a few extra at cheap prices before school starts so you don’t end up buyi g overpriced items in a pinch. THRIFT SHOPS! Today I scored 3 pair of famous mall brand jeans for the 8th grader: $12. That’s a comparable price to a discount store for 1 pair.
I use my staples ink rewards to purchase supplies
Set a budget and a shopping list before you start shopping and then stick to it.
My tip is to start early. You never know what kind of deals you may find.
Shop off season for clothes!
About two weeks b/4 school starts, we start to adjust our sleeping patterns, going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.
I buy items I know my kids will need for next year at the end of the season when they are on clearance. Things like backpacks, folders, etc.
Try to hold out for the tax-free weekend!
Start shopping early sales so you are not overwhelmed all at once.
Look in the ads for the best deals and combine with coupons
Buy while the good sales are on. Don’t wait until the middle of the school year when you have to pay full price.
I love using coupons and gift cards on items that are already on sale!
shop sales and use coupons!
Stock up while things are on sale.
best tip–if you have a lot of kids–start as early as possible 🙂 last minute never seems to get done
My best tip is to shop early and only buy on sales!
Watch for sales, coupons, and tax free weekends.
Try to take advantage of sales through out the year, avoid the budget killing of doing it all at one time
save time and money by shopping online
Buy more during tax-free weekend!
Group shopping for sales. Many sales are limited to so many per person. Take a crowd shopping and you can get enough for everyone. Saves on gas also.
Shop in a group to take full advantage of the sales. Most are limited to so many per person. This way you save gas and everyone gets what they need while helping each other.
tes 283 yahoo
Back to School tip is to shop for school supplies when it is tax free weekend.
coupons, coupons ,and more coupons..fb is great for finding deals 🙂
i try to buy school supplies for the following year when they go on sale at the end of sept.
My tip is to study the sales fliers and clip coupons to match the sales if you can.
Shop early and shop sales!
shop early
My back to school shopping tip would be to shop as close to the start of school as possible. You are less likely to buy things you really don’t need. Shop the sales and use coupons!
Buy extra notebooks and pencils when they’re on sale and put them in a box until you need them. Saves a lot through the years.
Never pay full price
First, inventory what you already have. A skirt from last year might be a hand-me-down, but a new top and accessories might make a new outfit. Maybe that older back pack can go another year with a dry cleaning and some back pack bling. Did you get one of those cute Target freebie cosmetic bags? It might make a good pouch for small items in the back pack.
I wait to shop for the tax free school sales and I also make sure to check through last years supplies and see what they may already have off the list.
Make a plan in advance and study the layout of the store, so you don’t get distracted by potential impulse buys.
Wait a few weeks after school starts to shop for new clothes. The nice stuff will probably be on the clearance racks by then!
Make a list and stick to it!
Buy one get one. Thank you. Jerri Davis
Coupons and then look online for the coupon sites to see if you can get them online without having to pay shipping or handling.
Hit up the sales.. use coupons.. save save save
Look for sales and use coupons
Take the kids with you so that they won’t complain and say you bought things they don’t like.
My best tip is to start early and use coupons when you can
My tips are to buy some extra school supplies while they are cheap, because you will need them during the school year. Also, I recommend not buying that many school clothes up front. It will still be hot for the first couple of months of school and kids may need a bigger size by the time cold weather rolls around. Thanks for the chance to win!
mrsmchappell at gmail dot com
I shop the back to school sales.
Start early before everything is gone, then hit the office supply stores when they are having sales for the best deals.
shop the sales
Use coupons and find the deals and sales.
buy on sale and try to use coupons!
Now is the time to buy school supplies for spring semester, too. Much cheaper now than in January. Just hold on to them until then.
Use coupons and catch the tax-free sales.
Shop throughout the year when things are on sale
I’m ready. Make my day
we check the ads and internet for upcoming sales and buy in stages to get best prices! for example we used coupons and sales over the summer to get kleenex and wipes for 1/4 the original price!
I personally check the Sunday paper and ads for weekly deals. Being a single mommy with three kiddos I need to save all the money I can.
shop early and shop the sales!
shop after school starts.
I shop the big three-Old Navy, Gap Kids, and The Children’s Place. Right now there is a lot of clothes that are discounted! And these stores constantly rotate merchandise!
start early in the year when you can catch clothes on sale and save your change throughout the year for clothes and supplies.
My tip is to go to Target! I love all of their really cheap notebooks, cards, etc.
shop the sales and use coupons
Tax free weekend & second hand shops
Figure out what you want to purchase “before” heading out to the store. Stick to it and don’t allow the kids to talk you into buying “but I gotta have it” stuff!
I use as many coupons as I can, I always take advantage of promotions, deals and discounts, I bring a checklist (So I don’t have to come back again and spend on gas)
shop during the summer holidays when you can find the best sales!
Do not wait till the last minute. I want to thank you for this awesome sweep and hope to win 🙂 Thanks !!!!!!!
CHECK OUT ALL THE SALES AND COUPONS BEING OFFERED AT VARIOUS STORES..THERE ARE SOME GREAT DEALS THIS TIME OF YEAR 🙂
shebebes@yahoo.com
I start watching for sales in July, and stock up on supplies.
Look thru the store circulars for the best deals!
use coupons, shop sales, check circulars, shop online
kport207 at gmail dot com
Compare prices at other stores to make sure you’re finding the best ones.
Use Cragslist to score free items or trade.
watch the ads
start early as possible
Shop early and shop the sales
I start early and keep receipts for price reductions or returns if I find a better deal
Use coupons, comparison shop, price match, have a list. If you bring the kids with you, start out early in the day..
Always make a list
always wait for the school clothes sales, GOD BLESS AND KEEP YA’LL SAFE IN HIS LOVING ARMS.
Go early and look for the good sales. Take advantage of coupons and B1G1
Start shopping as soon as the sales start and buy extras for the rest of the school year.
Watch for sales. Different places hold sales at different times 🙂 Also, shop at second hand stores. Many of them have brand new items for much cheaper than retail shops 🙂
My best back to school tip is to keep an eye on the Sunday papers and watch for the sales.
Go early in the day or shop all summer long.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com
Don’t wait till the last minute.
Check out sales and sign up for stores Facebook & Twitter pages for special discounts.
stock up on printer ink while hitting the stores for the kids – they always have amazing sale this time of year
shop the clearance rack and use coupons!
check for deals
Do not procrastinate.
Buy extra when it goes on clearance or those great sales. Never hurts to have extra notebooks or crayons at home.
And with clothes buying..I do it in the middle of Summer. Now it’s all picked over or buy just 1 main new outfit. I do that for both of my children and then buy other clothes bit by bit..easier on the wallet too.
Make a list and check the prices online.
Shop sales and price match. I also pick things up throughout the year when I catch them on sale.
Buy sales year around
Buy extra, you can always use it next year or donate it!
shopping early before everything is sold out
make lists and start early, we also have a tax free weekend, I buy the big items like shoes and backpacks then
start buying basics you’ll need early in the yr when they are on sale and save them
nannypanpan@gmail.com
I try to do all my shopping on tax free weekend and I try to keep a stock so that I’m not caught running out of supplies and have to rush out and buy something random and not on sale.
My best shopping tip for back-to-school is to make sure you have your list, keep it simple, and buy brands that you trust. Sometimes a little extra is worth it in the long run.
wait for tax free weekend and use coupons
My tip is to watch for sales
Stock up at the clearance sales the year before.
start the day school ends, great bargains then
Buy a couple weeks a head of time, and shop the sales
use coupons
Always shop around to find the best deal, don’t just go to one store.
Find all the sales you can!
Shop at the last minutes when the price is getting lower and use coupon.
I always shop clearance sales off season for back to school items.
Does your child have a best friend? Ask his/her mom or guardian to go shopping with you: The biggest fear a kid has is “they won’t fit in”: If their buddy is wearing the same clothes they are, this won’t be an issue.
Start early and look for bargains throughout the summer
My best tip is to just buy what you need. Don’t be reeled in by things on sale that aren’t on your list. Thanks!
Match coupons with sale items for deeper discounts!
Buy on Tax Free Weekend, but look for the best deals before you shop
I have my daughter go online and pick out her wish list about a month or two before school starts then I have them on my sale or coupon watch list!
Shop sales all year round
Go early and shop the sale papers!
definitely shop the sales!
I homeschool, so my shopping tip is for parents to wait to buy the bulk of supplies until all the school supplies go on clearance!
shop the sales for bargains
I start shopping early in the summer and buy little bits at a time and use the specails that the stores run like staples for example this year with their savings pass that I got I have gotten so many things for free or next to nothing it has been a easy back to school year
Always look for sales!!
-Ashley Marie Morrissey
ashummz05@yahoo.com
Each year I buy the most of my school supplies when the go on clearance. Then I just store them to the new year starts.
Go to WalMart and use coupons and buy off brands
i make sure i buy what is on special
Shop online and search for deep discounts and coupon codes. Shop the sales in the stores.
best back to school tip – start shopping early to get the best deals
use coupons and shop on sales
Wait for a good staples coupon 25%
This is our first year in school so I don’t have any tips. But, I did buy extra art supplies like crayons and markers because I figure they’ll need to be replenished before the end of the school year.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com
if you can use and reuse…make do with what you have ….and shop when all the sales start
Shop early and find sales and clerance items!
priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com
My tip is to clip coupons, watch for bogo deals and shop through the week not on the weekends and catch the tax free day to shop for the best deals
sewitupjulie@gmail.com
Facebook Pages have some great deals!
Wait a little to do school shopping. Prices will always drop as it gets closer to the school year!
Combine sales with coupons and take stock of what you already have. I’m always amazed at how much is left over from the end of the school year.
I shop sales and use coupons together—usually at Target b/c you can use both manufacturer and target coupon together
If I could, I wouldn’t take the kids, it’s more expensive that way, but unfortunately, that isn’t possible so I give a limit and explain the choices they have with their limits.
shop when your state has a no sales tax holiday.
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sewitupjulie@gmail.com
Keep a list handy and use it.
My tip is to shop the summer sales. Often tee shirts and shorts are 90% off and can still be worn to school for a couple of months or so depending on where you live.
price compare before you buy!
My best tips would be to do most of your shopping online, the selection is way better and you can usually save more. Plus no wasted time going all over town!
My best tip would be to shop online or at least take a look at the selection before you go!
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/238226235170357248
Follow blogs to help match up sales and coupons
I get online and compare prices. I have lists for all my children
I shop at the end of each season to stock up on items for the school year.
I try to start before the end of school to get close-outs and clearance items for when school starts again in the fall
Start early. Read sales circulars to find the best deals. Read couponing blogs to get an idea of where the good sales are.
Shop right before school when all the stores are offering great prices and try to use coupons to make your items even cheaper!
start earlier than you think you need to
Shop for bargains all year round instead of waiting for the start of the school year 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
to use coupons and to wait til tax free weekend if possible
I look for deals year long, not just before school.
My best back to school shopping tip is to shop clearance AFTER school has started for the following year… and use coupons!
Don’t buy on impulse, buy on price point.
ky2here at msn dot com
Buy my kids some clothes for school
We shop consignment stores and Goodwill for clothes. They often have new items with tags for great prices.
watch the sale papers and stock up while there are good sales. thanks
Shop early and shop the sales and you will save money.
Check at home for leftover supplies before you go shopping.
shop early or off season for the best deals.
When you check out the sales, also consider if it is really worth the extra gas to go to several stores or better to get everything at one store.
chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com
Shop places like TJ Maxx & Marshall’s.
I think shopping second hand such as Platos closet will save you money on some items
cut lots of coupons!
always shop clearance with coupons in hand
I shop the sales at Walgreens and beat Walmart, etc prices. Buy school clothes at Hollister in the middle of the summer on clearance for great savings!
Clearance, Clearance, Clearance!
I always compare what is needed against what the sales are to determine the best place to get the majority of my list.
tip – get out there early. as soon as the stores open. beat the crowds.
I get a lot of school supplies at the Dollar stores.
Make thorough lists, check ads and also check online sales
We have a gently used thrift store & buy a lot of the school clothes there.
Thank you.
Here in NC i shop on tax free wkend and use lots of coupons
I shop all year round and use coupons or take advantage of sales and clearnance items.
Shop early and scour the sales.
love this..
Shop during the tax free weekend!
price match back to school items at walmart for extra savings!
Start early so you can hold out for the best deals.
Look for sales, buy in bulk if you can, and use coupons when possible.
Look for sales and use store coupons
My best tip is to buy in bulk when you find a good sale, and shop throughout the year so you don’t have to spend a lot at once.
My best tip is to always find coupons and look around for the best prices.
Shop the sales and coupon whenever possible!
Look for sales and match with coupons.
Wait until they clearance out the items you don’t really need right away.
watch for sales
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Get a head start – about a month before school starts to avoid the last minute crowds
annabella @ centurytel dot net
Its all about the sales.
Shop the sales and use coupons when you can! 🙂
The week before when everyone has supplies on sale.
I always check all of the ads to find the best deals
Make a list, check for sales and coupons, know what your budget is and stick to it.
my best tip is to take advantage of sales year round and not to wait right before the school year begins to start shopping.
Don’t try to buy an entire school year’s worth of clothes all at once. Start with a few outfits and spread the rest throughout the school year.
Start early. If you wait until a few days before school starts, things are picked over.
Go shopping a month or so before school starts to avoid crowds!
Use coupons!!
Shopping tax free weekend helps a lot. Thanks for the giveaway.
Make a list of what you need, that way you won’t overspend.
check the sale papers before going to the store
Buy extra of everything when its on sale. Kids go through school supplies quickly.
My tip is to hit the garage sales & thrift stores.
Thanks for the contest.
shop all year round to get deals so you are not buying all at once
get as much on sale as you can
Do your shopping early so they haven’t run out of things you need
watch ads
Thanks for the contest! Janna JOhnson jannajanna@hotmail.com janna@feedyourpig on GFC
Shop the extreme sales all summer long. Scissors and crayons for $0.25, pencils for $.10!
Make a list so you can be sure you get everything while it’s on sale.
Stock up for the year on sales.
Tell me your best back to school shopping tips
plan ahead,and dont go in debt
If you need to buy books look online at Amazon, Half.com, and Abebooks.com to save money. Check Ebates for cash back offers.
Check circulars and look for deals
We wait until we get updated supply lists on the first day of school – no needless spending!
My best tip is to set a spending limit.
Start shopping early!
I always compare what is needed whith the sales.
Thanks for the chance!
Stock up at the lowest prices year round so you aren’t overwhelmed.
I back to school supplies on clearance for the following year.
My kids go back in August, I buy the clothes and shoes after labor day, when there are more sales.
hit the sale racks
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
Always look for coupons in the store ads as well as other places.
cweller75@gmail.com
I hit the sales and buy school supplies at the dollar store
jofo120 at yahoo dot com
my best tip is to stock up like crazy when things go on sale for items you will need the following year
Shop during tax-free periods and use coupons and everything possible.
lisando at hotmail.com
Remember that you can take advantage of the sales even if you don’t have any children in school–good time to stock up on office supplies, etc.
Be willing to go to multiple stores for the best deal. Buy off-brand
I run around looking for clearance sales..what I usually do is buy a year ahead of time.I buy summer clothes ate the end of summer when they are really cheap and then I do the same for winter and save them the next year
Start watching the ads in July.
Check the paper first to find the best sales.
Check the paper first to find the best sales.
Thrift shops are not out of the question
My tip is to shop at stores that price match other stores’ prices. I saved a lot that way.
I always check online for sales that may not be going on in stores.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Use giftcards!!
Start back to school supplies when they put them on sell in July – take advantage of the 1 cent, 1 cent and 25 cent sells – stock up!
Keep my eyes open for clearance, and deals
my best tip is to shop the clearance summer items first – September is hot in the schools anyway!
I get all the ads together and check prices and then make a list of what to buy where.
I get all the ads together and make a list of what to get where.
My best tip is to start shopping about two weeks before school starts because EVERYTHING goes on sale that it back to school related.
start shopping early and plan ahead with a list of what you need!
Shop around for the best deals
I make detailed lists and I also will pricematch to keeps costs down as I have 4 school-age chilren.
shop early and possibly at the end of the season for the next year when they clearance everything out
Register on your favorite retailers’ website. Dont forget ot friend them on facebook also for early peeks into deals and exclusive coupons for fans.
Shop early to avoid long lines.
chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com
I buy supplies on sale, with coupons and on tax free weekends
Shop ahead of time whenever stores are having sales.
Get all the local sales ads and sit down with your coupons, figuring out the lowest price on each item and pairing items with coupons. Don’t be afraid to shop around!
My back to school shopping tip is to combine sales with coupons.
shop BTS sales along with coupons, also check for clearance clothing from previous year
shop BTS sales with coupons and check clearance for school clothes
If possible, wait to buy some items until a week or two after the school year starts so you can take advantage of clearance sales!
Very nice items can be found at thrift and resale stores.
I do my shopping the year before on some stuff when I see clearance deals like the kids uniforms, socks, school supplies and back packs.
I just hunt out the sales racks first thing. I don’t pay full price for anything if I can help it. I also comparison shop and print coupons for stores. thank you!!
Buy extra of the supplies that have the best prices to use throughout the year.
Katharina angelsandmusic[at]gmail[dot]com
I like to go early in the morning to shop. A lot less people in the store. A big crowd makes me super nervous.
back to school. we can use all the help we can get.
To start early and get the best online deals! Avoid the crowd 🙂 info (at) giveawaybandit (dot) com
start shopping early for things you need when there ar sales
Don’t shop unusable things. Just what the child needs
Grab any good deal
We shop sales and use all the coupons we can.
shop online for best deals and use ebates.com to get further discount
brich22 at earthlink dot net
Look in the newspaper for sales and use coupons.
We buy extra school supplies when they go on clearance and put them away for the next year.
My tip is to buy the basics like papers and notebooks in bulk.
Bring your daughter WITH you to try on clothes and pick out things she likes.
Look for sales!
Always stick to the list… when you start buying things from impulse its get really expensive quick
My back-to-school shopping tip is to hit up the local thrift stores. The Goodwill stores around here sell school supplies!
I try buying at the end of a season when everything is on ale for the next year sizes.
We shop every week the whole summer and scoop up all the deals.
Plan the trips. This year, my daughter and I were running around last minute and I paid the price!
Start off small with supplies, and slowly build up during the year.
Get all the sales papers and compare them so you can get the best deals.
Stock up on school supplies now while they are on sale.
Start buying early and a little at a time!
Bring your child with you dont pick out for them…I failed at this.
schueler.jessica@yahoo.com
Shop the sales and use coupons
I buy everything I can on sale and the dollar store
Our state has tax free shopping days for back to school supplies. You can save money by not having to pay taxes on select back to school items including computers.
Always buy on sale
My tip is shop sales and use coupons
get emails of fav store sales to get best prices
shop EARLY!!!!
I would say great sales! Thank you for the great giveaway!
Price compare, sales, and coupons
Look for online deals early.
Go early and shop for sales.
I browse ads for the best sales.
My shopping tip is to check all the store ads to get the best prices for back to school items.
longbarb1@aol.com