***ETA*** First time back to school shopper here... Need some help.

[Sunivondea]

*** Thanks for all the great suggestions ladies!! My DS always gets hand me downs from my sister because she has two older boys. I've had all the way up to 5t since he was born!! And it's all in nearly new condition because that's just how my sister rolls. DD is the only girl on both mine and DH's sides. (until 4 months ago when I had DD2.) So I always have to buy her clothes. Usually I hit up garage sales and thrift shops and stock up on larger sizes. But this past year has been a drain finacially and I wasn't able to. But get this, a woman from our church gave me 4 large large shopping bags full of sizes 5 and 6. Jeans, sweatshirts, tshirts, couple pairs of sneakers, even unopened packages of socks and underwear. She is the Sunday school director. She said she realized DD was the oldest girl in our family and it wasnt fair she was never given things. So she asked her granddaughter from Texas (who has a daughter just a lite older than DD) to send her her dd's old clothes. I'm in awe. All we need now are tennisshoes and school supplies!!! I'm so geeked. But now that I'm doing better financially I can stock up for next year too. :)



DD is going into K. I have maybe $200 to spend on school supplies, clothes & shoes for her plus shoes for DS because he's outgrown his.

How many outfits should I plan on getting her? Where can I go that has cheap cheap CHEAP stuff? IS there a place I can get name brand stuff for less money?

[minimo77]

That depends on where you live-will it still be hot for another couple months? If yes, then check out any store now for summer clearance. The childrens Place right now has awesome sales.

If not, im not sure, maybe walmart/target? Old Navy has their jeans on sale for $10 right now. I would get things that can mix and match, like a couple pairs of jeans, a couple solid colored skirts, so that they go with whatever shirts.

[KyliesMom5]

I only buy what my daughter needs. I don't buy new clothes just because school is starting. The only thing I have had to consistantly buy each year is new shoes. Then I will buy clothes when I really need to during the year. 

[sunflowers12]

Ross, jcpennys, old navy, lots of places are having back to school deal though these are just a few to help you... Payless for shoes ... Walmart is good for the supplies..

[Mom2mylilgirlz]

Walmart, here we have a store called burkes..name brands for less.

[frndlyfn]

IF you cant afford the big name brands, simply do not get them.  I know for our kindergarten the girls did not care about name brands but rather the cute designs/colors of clothing.  JcP has good prices for good quality clothing.  Target sometimes has good deals as well as Kohl's .  Payless is having their buy one pair, get one pair half off sale i think right now.

[Shaylyn318]

We have a Carson's near here and we just bought quite a few outfits for our kids and only spent $62, saved $134. They are having a 75% off sale. Look around your local stores for clearance items. I just bought my kids a pair each of Skechers at Kohls for $35 saved $62. The Children's Place, Crazy 8,  TJ Maxx, Goodwill and Old Navy are places to get good deals.

[SweetPea2004]

I would buy clothes that can be mixed and matched so that she isn't stuck with a shirt that only matches one bottom. Also since its K I would get clothes that can be destroyed and you not cringe over it. DD was so dirty in K so fancy clothes were such a waste.

If she needs glue sticks get the individual ones for .10 at walmart better deal then .50 for 2

I shope sales at Children's Place mainly but she also has clothes from Target and a variety of other places.

Look at Zappos for shoes they tend to be cheaper and free shipping both ways. That said Sears has New Balances for $24 right now.

[3babiesofmyown]

I shop Craigslist, goodwill, thrift own, kid to kid, and the just between friends consignment sales. Look online and see if you have one. Also keep an eye on thekrazycouponlady.com. She posts back to school sales and good stock up prices so us newbies know what's an appropriate price and what's not. I got an a that says toys r us has crayons crayons 4/$1. If there's not a toys r us near you remember Walmart matches prices. Look into couponing on that website. It helps a lot. My dd has to wear uniforms and I plan on getting enough for 5 days just because we can't necessarily keep up with laundry all the time. But with these tactics I often keep my kids well dressed and in name brands even for cheaper than Walmart most of the time.

[bizkit_fanky]

The childrens place and old navy have really good sales right now...I wouldnt buy too many shorts, I only buy dd a few..She dont start back until the middle of August, and by the end of September its capri or pants time...I got most of dd's clothes at Gabriel brothers and Aeropostale...Aeropostale online has really good sales, last month I got dd shirts for 3.99...As far as school supplies I got hers at walmart....

[bizkit_fanky]

Quoting Mom2mylilgirlz:

Walmart, here we have a store called burkes..name brands for less.

I love Burkes