Back-to-School Shopping on a Tight Budget

Between clothes, school supplies, and the holidays just around the corner, that shopping bill adds up pretty fast. Even if you’re parents are paying for everything, it’s still nice to keep an eye on the price tags when you’re getting all your gear. The two major things you’re probably looking for right now are clothes and school supplies. Here are some tips for saving cash on both:

Clothes Shopping:

• Stay away from brand name stuff. You can get less expensive clothes that are just as cute as brand name styles by giving up that little logo.
• Head to the clearance racks! You can find a hidden treasure that no one else will be wearing at school.
• Look for coupons. You can find them online, in magazines and newspapers, and even by the register.
• Don’t buy things you already own. Go for something completely different to add variety to your wardrobe.
• Don’t be afraid of resale stores! Goodwill has turned into one of my favorite stores! It’s like one giant store of clearance racks! You can even sell your gently worn clothes at Plato’s Closet, then shop around to find new items.

School Supplies Shopping:

• Buy in bulk. I know we all want the sparkly pens and pencils, but you’ll just lose those anyway (well, I always did). It’s cheaper to get a whole box.
• Shop Dollar Stores. Saving a few bucks on each item might not seem like it makes a big difference, but it adds up.
• Compare prices online first. Amazon has a lot of great deals.
• If you have some supplies from last year that are still in good condition, then use them! There’s no point in throwing them aside and buying replacements.