This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bealls for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Included in our big financial plans each year, alongside Christmas and Birthdays, is the dreaded and often exciting Back to school shopping! Since my large and in charge son decided to grow so darn fast, we are now completely out of hand me down bags! Since I now need to dress 5, we'll need a new shopping plan! Fashionista Princess Luci, and Rockstar Giovanna, are still excited despite my frugality :)
Luckily I have found several ways to get through the season at a fraction of the cost!
Step one: Inventory!
The most important step, not only to successful wardrobe building, but to organization in your home! You will find the bins of clothing PILING up as your kids get bigger, and you don't want to find yourself digging through drawers of items that don't fit! So get them out of there! And take into account how many items DO fit, and can be used for winter clothes!
Multiple seasons per item!
A new season does not mean ALL new clothes! It means reorganizing, and adding pieces to create several new outfits! Adding a sweater and tights to a summer dress could extend its life, or a long sleeve tee under a graphic tee to bring that favorite into fall!
Plan Ahead
I found this GREAT idea in Family Magazine; Collect bags of clothing purchased off season, or at garage sales, or consignment shops. Just before back to school shopping, give each child play money, and set up shop! They can go shopping for items they like, and build outfits on their own, and so far you've spend JUST a few dollars!
Most consignment shops mark summer clothing to a dollar in August, and winter clothing to a dollar in March. You will find new with tags attached items in most consignment shops, but you will have to do the searching through. Shop the clearance racks for bigger off season sizes when you go to the mall, instead of when you need something.
What about uniforms?
There are many resources available to get the most value out of school uniforms, as they rarely make it to a consignment shop in good condition, or to the sale rack as the sizes forever seem picked through. There is a company called Bealls that offers the best quality, Dockers school uniforms, for much the same price as you will find in an Old Navy, or Target. The difference in the value, is the quality.
The moral of the story?
Back to school shopping does NOT mean a trip (or 6) to the mall. It means preparation and shopping throughout the year, to purchase quality items that will LAST, at the lowest prices that those items are available for. We like $3 or less per item around here, and it can be done!
Resources:
Retail Sales Cycles
Included in our big financial plans each year, alongside Christmas and Birthdays, is the dreaded and often exciting Back to school shopping! Since my large and in charge son decided to grow so darn fast, we are now completely out of hand me down bags! Since I now need to dress 5, we'll need a new shopping plan! Fashionista Princess Luci, and Rockstar Giovanna, are still excited despite my frugality :)Luckily I have found several ways to get through the season at a fraction of the cost!
Step one: Inventory!
The most important step, not only to successful wardrobe building, but to organization in your home! You will find the bins of clothing PILING up as your kids get bigger, and you don't want to find yourself digging through drawers of items that don't fit! So get them out of there! And take into account how many items DO fit, and can be used for winter clothes!
Multiple seasons per item!
A new season does not mean ALL new clothes! It means reorganizing, and adding pieces to create several new outfits! Adding a sweater and tights to a summer dress could extend its life, or a long sleeve tee under a graphic tee to bring that favorite into fall!
Plan Ahead
I found this GREAT idea in Family Magazine; Collect bags of clothing purchased off season, or at garage sales, or consignment shops. Just before back to school shopping, give each child play money, and set up shop! They can go shopping for items they like, and build outfits on their own, and so far you've spend JUST a few dollars!
Most consignment shops mark summer clothing to a dollar in August, and winter clothing to a dollar in March. You will find new with tags attached items in most consignment shops, but you will have to do the searching through. Shop the clearance racks for bigger off season sizes when you go to the mall, instead of when you need something.
What about uniforms?
There are many resources available to get the most value out of school uniforms, as they rarely make it to a consignment shop in good condition, or to the sale rack as the sizes forever seem picked through. There is a company called Bealls that offers the best quality, Dockers school uniforms, for much the same price as you will find in an Old Navy, or Target. The difference in the value, is the quality.
The moral of the story?
Back to school shopping does NOT mean a trip (or 6) to the mall. It means preparation and shopping throughout the year, to purchase quality items that will LAST, at the lowest prices that those items are available for. We like $3 or less per item around here, and it can be done!
Resources:
Retail Sales Cycles
3 comments:
Great post! Thanks for stopping by and linking up to Mommy's Monday Blog Hop! :) I am now following you!
www.mommysreviewsandgiveaways.com
LOVE this idea! I will be putting it to use on my daughters!
Mary
@sweepingme
Wow! That is a great idea. I have to go out and get some more clothes for my son (he's 8 months), and the pre-planning would definitely help, and make my hubby happy. I usually end up stopping by Mexx and only getting clothes from there. Haha!
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