4 Back-to-school shopping tips from a frugal student

Going back to school can be painful – and not just for the kids. Though the end of summer vacation for students means a return to the mundane life of classes and homework, for parents it can mean something worse: an empty pocketbook, victim to the tactics of whining children and pleading teachers. So how do you afford everything? Here are some tricks I picked up from my years as a frugal student.

Tip 1: Don't fall for the "First-Day-of-School Shopping Spree" ploy

Instead of buying clothes all at once, use the extra time over the summer to take your kids shopping for seasonal sale items. Try stores like T.J. Maxx, Ross, Marshalls or Nordstrom Rack, which sell designer clothes at lower prices. One of my favorite ways to stock up on back-to-school clothing is to plan a day trip to visit an outlet mall, where you're sure to find fashionable, affordable clothing.

Tip 2: Stock up early

Buy a bunch of school supplies when they're really cheap and stock up for the next year. See a deal for notebooks? Buy 15! Then next year you can take a break while everyone else is scrambling to get supplies. Keep your eye out for $1 deals. Stocking up early can save you money, time, gas and – most of all – stress.

Tip 3: Recycle, recycle, recycle

Recycling has many advantages. I like to re-use old binders – either those my parents brought home from work or those I used last year. If your kids still have school supplies from last year, don't buy new versions of the same thing – reuse them! Also, look around the house for old pens and highlighters.They may not be squeaky new, but they're perfectly useable! If your kids don't like old materials, let them redecorate - I love making my own artsy binder covers.

If you have lots of kids, take advantage of that. Reuse older siblings' or cousins' textbooks and reading materials; younger children can benefit from the notes their siblings made earlier. Green tip: Many teachers now allow students to print or write on both sides of their papers or reuse printer paper that has only been printed on one side. However, make sure you check with your child's teacher first.

Tip 4: Find cheap, unique places to shop

Look for school reading materials at your local library or online at websites like eBay or Amazon.com. You may be able to buy books on your children's reading lists for 50 cents apiece – or less! You can also find great deals on websites for buying store-brand electronics or gadgets.

The key to saving money on school supplies is to keep your eyes and mind open. Who knows what you may be able to find with just a little bit of garage-cleaning or library-scoping?

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/advice-economy-parenting-2104055
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