The stores have been PACKED with people buying back-to-school stuff. I can barely squeeze through to look at the clearance racks. I’m doing some shopping myself, but I’m also doing some NOT-shopping, which is very nice. My money: I like it and want it to stay with me.
Here’s what I’m NOT buying this year:
1. Whole new back-to-school wardrobes. I try to buy most of the kids’ clothes on off-season clearances, and with four boys we have a lot of handmedowns. “Being September” has so far not been a motivating reason to buy clothes. It IS a good time to buy socks and underwear on good sales—and in a few weeks, when everyone is done paying full-price for Being September wardrobes, some of the clothes will start going on nice clearances too.
2. New lunchboxes. Last year’s are still in good condition.
3. New backpacks. Last year’s are still in good condition.
4. New pencil cases. Last year’s are still in good condition.
And here’s what I AM buying:
1. New school supplies. Not only is supply-shopping a lot of fun at a moderate price, this is the best time of year to buy crayons and pencils and markers and rulers for the whole household: stores are using school supplies as loss leaders to draw us in, so a 24-count box of crayons can be 20 cents and a box of 8 markers can be a dollar. Plus, last year’s stuff is worn down to nubs. Plus-plus, this year’s teachers want a few things last year’s teachers didn’t.
2. Extra school supplies. I know I’ll be replacing some of these supplies mid-year, when markers are back to $3.49. While they’re still $1.00, I buy an extra couple of packs. If I’m feeling philanthropic, I also buy an extra couple of packs to give to our local food pantry, which puts together backpacks full of supplies for clients’ children.
3. School snacks. It’s cheaper to put stuff from big bags into little containers myself, but I find I’m never sorry to have the pre-packaged little snackies on hand too. There are mornings where it’s not until we’re walking out the door that I remember I haven’t packed lunches, and field trips always want fully-disposable snacks. Our grocery store puts snack-packs on good sales (like, 2/$5 down from $5) at this time of year.
4. New swimsuits and shorts. Well, they’re going to need them next summer, and they’re on clearance NOW.
What are you buying? What are you not-buying?
Great list! My mom never let us do any back-to-school clothes shopping before the end of September. Her reasoning was that we’d still be wearing summer clothes for the first few weeks of school. Now I realize that she probably also was considering that things would be on sale by the end of September. Smart lady!
aimee | August 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
We also bought a bunch of crayons, markers and notebooks to stock for when it is needed. We didn’t buy backpacks or jackets this year. Our kids usually have to start wearing a jacket mid-September, but we bought some on clearance in the spring. On clothes we only bought stuff that was a good sale price. Everything else I will get on clearance.
Melissa | August 26th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Many things that my kids had last year are still good for this year. However, I did buy some stainless steel containers from http://kidskonserve.com and bought snacks in bulk to cut back on the waste. Our school is encouraging us to pack waste-free.
Kids Konserve has some great lunch kits but can also buy items separately.
http://kidskonserve.com
Cathy | August 26th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
My kids all need new backpacks/lunchbags, but I usually buy them at the end of September when they’re on clearance. I don’t pay full price for clothes ever. My mom had the same philosophy, but now delights in taking my kids BTS shopping for a new outfit - often at full price!
LoriD | August 28th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
What’s old is new again, in my house for back to school!
I’m happy to report that both my children are spot on with supplies, thanks to the target sale last december - all i had to buy this year was one ruler - not bad, huh?
Oh and some klennex -
We’re set - after that glorious last trip to costco for lunch fillers…
LARRAH | August 29th, 2009 at 9:08 am