Five Steps to Take the Stress out of Back to School Shopping

Without a plan, back-to-school shopping can be a stressful and overwhelming endeavor. Clothing is one of the biggest expenses parents face in back to school preparation, and it can be difficult to balance both kids’ preferences and budget. Strategizing your family’s approach to back-to-school shopping is the best way to breeze through it without breaking a sweat – while still ensuring everyone gets what they want. Here are 5 tips for saving time, money and stress while getting your kids ready for school to start.

Clean out the Closet

Going through your family’s closest and getting rid of out-grown items will create less clutter for you to stress over. Make the process of getting rid of old or unwanted items fun by having your kids join you in the process of purging by sharing memories of when an item was worn. Help your kids say good-bye to clothing and shoes that no longer fit them (hello Marie Kondo), and assess whether or not other items are ones they still enjoy and plan to wear again. As they grow, they get regular opportunities to revisit their style and interest. For those items to get rid of, make sure to give them
a fresh wash and take them to your nearest children’s resale shop to earn
money for trade or to put toward a brand-new item.

Make a List and Strategy

Having a thought-out list is your best defense against being overwhelmed when faced with seemingly endless clothing options. Start with a list of essentials for fall and winter clothing and shoes. This may include things like a raincoat, rain boots, a winter coat, everyday school shoes, athletic or gym shoes, basic pants, shirts, dresses, socks and underwear. Then visit the extra things your child may want: Dress-up clothing for recitals, school functions or celebratory events. Have an idea of how many pants, jeans, leggings, skirts, dresses and shirts you will need for your kids. Some kids may be able to wear a pair of pants a few times before they need to be washed, and therefore maybe only need a few pairs to get to the next size.

Set a Realistic Budget

Plan ahead and save yourself (and your wallet) some financial stress. When setting the budget, again it’s good to have a list of essentials as your main priority, such as daily clothes, shoes and rainwear. All families will have an idea of their own budget amount, which may be visited seasonally in order to get things that fit for each season and spread out cost. Resale shops are a great way to find many things that you both will love, as they are one-of-a-kind, unique and affordable. By shopping children’s resale, parents can get nearly all of their items for half the cost or less, so you can get even more of your essentials while still keeping your budget low.

Best Time to Go

If you like to avoid the crowds, then Sundays and earlier weekdays are ideal for shopping. In order to get all of your back-to-school shopping item needs met it’s important to start early. Most resale shops put new items on the floor daily. Stopping in regularly increases your chances of finding those things your kids need. Score a great deal on rain boots and a raincoat in the summer, or even the prior spring. Take 30 to 60 minutes every week four to six weeks prior to school starting to cruise through your favorite resale shops to get those essentials. You may have a better chance of finding their winter coats and rainwear in September, when those items are more readily available. Many shops also have end-of-winter and end-of-summer sales, which can be a great time to get the next size or two up for the following year; you will see huge savings, especially on winter coats, rainwear and snow gear.

What to Buy New vs. Used

Not everything needs to be bought brand new at retail price. Kids grow fast, so getting as much of their essentials as possible at resale shops is ideal for the pocketbook. However, if you aren’t able to find something you need and you need it right away, then going new is often necessary. Many children’s resale shops are selective in their quality and brand. However, as children get older (typically 10 and older), it can become more difficult to find those items on a time crunch. Most shops will have the clothing you need, but if you only have a few days to shop, it may be hard to find the shoes and coats you’re looking for. Consider buying a brand-new good pair of shoes and a solid warm and water-proof coat; though they might be the most expensive items on your list, consider how often your kids will wear them to make you feel better about your investment. Many children’s resale shops do carry items up to age 12 or 14; be sure to inquire about your shop’s available sizes and take advantage of these sections as they are less shopped and can have really great items.

With these 5 steps, you’ll get all the styles your kids love, while keeping your sanity and savings intact. Best of luck to you and your kids this back-to-school season!

For our Editor’s Picks for Back to School Shopping, click here.