Tips to Save Money for Back-to-School Without Breaking the Bank

Back-to-school time is the second largest shopping season of the year. If all that spending makes your head pound, take heart. Texas DPS Credit Union has your back! We’ll help you navigate it with your budget and sanity intact. Here are 12 back-to-school saving tips.

Do a house-wide sweep

Before you spend anything, look through your closets and drawers to see what you have around the house. Round up all the supplies and list everything you’ve found. Keep the list handy so that you don’t forget what you have.

Also, sort and purge while digging through your kids’ closets. This way, their closets won’t be cluttered with junk, and you’ll know exactly what each child needs.

Get the teacher-approved list

Pay close attention to specifics on the supply list sent home by your child’s teacher. This will prevent you from being forced to later repurchase supplies that fit the teacher’s criteria.

Spread your purchases

Spreading your back-to-school shopping throughout the summer will allow you to take advantage of weekly sales. Also, by scattering your purchases, you won’t feel the financial squeeze as much as you would if you bought everything at once.

Take advantage of sales-tax holidays

Many states have a sales-tax holiday sometime during the summer. Look up the timing of your state’s tax holiday and do your shopping at that time.

Organize a clothing swap

Organize a clothing swap party with other parents in your area. Choose a date and venue and instruct all attendants to show up with three or more items of gently used children’s clothing. At the party, parents can exchange their kids’ outgrown clothing and go home with incredible finds – all free of charge!

Use Twitter and Facebook to save

Many companies send coupon links to followers and let them know about upcoming sales. Monitor your favorite stores’ Twitter feeds and Facebook updates to find super deals.

Time it right

Purchase what your child needs for now and save the rest for later. You’ll find deep discounts on fall clothing just a few weeks into the school year.

Set limits

Every year there’s a must-have school supply or clothing trend that costs a bundle. Set limits. Allow your child to choose one or two pricier items – but that’s it!

Plan ahead

When school supplies and backpacks are ridiculously discounted a few weeks into the school year, stock up for next year.