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Sparkle (5)
Ah August. The sun is shining, the grass is burning, the flowers are blooming (or wilting) and we all feel the winds of change off in the distance. It will be back to school time in just a matter of a few weeks for many students.
I can hear the collective moaning from kids and the rhythm of the happy dance the parents are doing all at the same time.
My favorite back to school commercial is still the one where the parent is riding happily on the back of the shopping cart, gliding as if in the Ice Capades while the kids walk gloomily behind all to the lyrics of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…..”
My own son will start Pre-School for two days a week this year and I’m torn between being happy that he’ll make new friends and experience new things and sobbing like a baby. I will probably be the one hanging onto his leg wailing, “Please don’t go!” I hope the other parents will still respect me the next day when I do it again.
August causes life to start winding back up to the frenzy pace that summer has subdued if only just a little bit. It’s still hot enough to go to the waterpark, but you now have to take time out to go shopping for school supplies and new clothes.
Newspaper and TV ads are showing their fall lineup and advertising sales for everything from crayons to college dorm room furniture. Like it or not, summer will be winding down fast and will leave us in a whirlwind of spending money and cramming in as much activities as we can.
Saving money is important to all of us so let’s get down to the nitty gritty on how to save money before we go out shopping.
Don’t Feel the Need to Buy Everything Right Now
Retailers will prey on you feeling the need to get all your shopping done right now and in their crafty ways have raised prices on fall clothes. They may lure you in with 25¢ notebooks and free glue, but they’re hoping to make it up on the higher prices you’ll pay for clothes.
Don’t fall for it. Go through last year’s clothes and keep what still fits. Many styles have carried over and despite what your kids might say, most all the kids will be wearing the same clothes they did last year, and no, no one will remember. (Watch out for rolling eyes and heavy sighs) Help your kids adjust to feeling neglected by getting just a few newer pieces or accessories to create new looks with old clothes.
Don’t forget to pull out what you already bought on the clearance rack this last spring in larger sizes. Let me congratulate you on your savvy ways of spending money by shopping out of season. Just be sure to buy your summer clothes the same way here soon.
If the clothes don’t fit, then bag them up, make a list and donate. Make sure to get a receipt as you will want to take it off of your taxes. Have your kids do this as it’s a great way to teach them about giving.
Make a list of what you will need. Actually, make two lists – one for things you need right now (keep that list away from your teen in case she starts adding her own must haves, look for different handwriting from yours as a clue) and one list for things you will need soon. That way you can keep an eye out for sales so you never have to pay full price for something.
Just remember, you should rarely have to pay full price for anything if you can find creative ways to get by till it goes on sale. And nearly everything will go on sale at some point. The key is learning to wait till it does.
Learn to Buy Off the Rack
Your kid may be screaming for those private label jeans, but don’t give in, stay strong. We all know fashion is fickle and what’s in this week will be out before school even starts. So stick with the basics – pants, tops and shoes in color schemes and designs that all complement each other. That way you can mix and match outfits for different looks so your teenage girl won’t die of embarrassment if another girl makes a comment that she wore that same outfit last week. And we
