Does the school require uniforms? If so, that is pretty cut and dried and can be kept to a minimum. In fact you can start with 2 maybe with 3 bottoms and 3 tops. This option will require you to wash midweek. Then you can add a little every couple of weeks. Works well with a budget. Even if the school does not require a uniform, if the child is elementary or new to school, I would probably start with the basic uniform pants (inexpensive) and buy regular tops. Almost every store sells uniform clothing and I'm talking even Family Dollar (around $10) whose pants I hear are really rugged and good for boys.
Some stores will offer buy 1, get 1 or buy 1, get 1 50% off or even buy 1, get 1 for a $1(Penney's). Walmart sells them but I'm unsure of the cost.
If the school does not require uniforms. As I mentioned earlier, you can still buy some uniform pieces because they are inexpensive, you can usually get pants ($10) and a polo ($5-8). Unless of course you find non-uniform clothing for cheap which is doable, but requires TIME and gas. I'm not sure about your area because each is different. Just know that if you start with maybe one pair of jeans and 2 uniform bottoms you can add to it later. Shirts are usually pretty inexpensive.
As far as shoes, Payless has some nice looking shoes, for not much cost. They oftentimes (in my area) offer the BOGOs (buy 1, get 1 50%). I usually would get a casual and a sneaker. You can get a decent starter wardrobe for around $100, but that doesn't include socks, underwear or hair accessories (girls).
As far as the school supplies, a lot of places have crazy deals on pencils, paper, backpacks, etc. You may even try some areas in the community. Our church gives them out free every year. Last year the kids summer camp gave them out. This year BM took the kids to a particular library and if they checked out 5 books, they got a free backpack and school supplies. So there are usually lots of programs in the community that want to help kids gear up and be ready to go back to school. Good luck and I hope this helps some.
The biggest thing is, start small and add a little along the way. I know the kids want the latest fashions and sometimes we have to say no. I would probably buy one outfit that they really want and give them a budget range though.
Step Mother's Motto this week is:
You don't have to LOVE me, you don't even have to LIKE me... But you will RESPECT me.
For younger kids, Kmart has cute/nice clothes that seem to hold up well. And reasonably priced, of course. For older kids, Forever 21 or Marshall's have a wide selection and good prices.
For shoes, I usually find good buys at Target or Payless.
We found a great consignment shop near us. The kids were delighted to find stuff they liked for much cheaper than even Wal-Mart and Target. Once they realized how quickly their shopping budget would go, they were especially picky about what they bought.
Made me laugh all day to hear the disgust in their voices over how much clothes, shoes, purses and best of all WEBKINZ cost. I'm talking sticker shock like you wouldn't believe when it was their own money.
We shopped yard sales, Walmart, old navy, target, and Marshall's looking for clearance and sales and came away with a pretty good amount of stuff. Oh - and Steve and Barry's - everything was $8.98 (coats too!)
They don't have one near me. There is one near where my daughter attends college in Alabama. They have really nice stuff for $8.98. That sale has been on since May. Wow. Everything is usually $14.98, which is still a great price.
Step Mother's Motto this week is:
You don't have to LOVE me, you don't even have to LIKE me... But you will RESPECT me.
I sit in front of the computer all day, and find tons of great deals. I'm a big fan of Kohl's clearance online. Last winter I found summer clothes for the kids at 90% off. I was able to pay $5 for Candie's jeans, and bought size 12 for that winter, and size 14 for this winter. $100 can buy me six outfits for each kid (3). I recently bought 6 pairs of Candie's jeans, 3 skirts, and 4 shirts for $45 for FSD10. Shirts (name brand) go for $3-8. When I shop online, I google promotion codes for the stores, an usually end up with free shipping, 10-30% off, plus.
Ross is wonderful. They have complete sets for girls for as low as $5. We went to Oregon last week and bought FSS7 ten shirts for $50. He got his Adidas shirts, Nike sweatshirts, Levi's, Chaps, and some skater style shirts. $3-$5 each shirt. No sales tax made up for the gas $ we spent driving up from CA. We were on a family vacation.
For juniors, I love Wetseal.com. I have the Seal Deal card, so I save 10% each time. Google a code= free shipping. Shop clearance= usually additonal half off.
I learned to buy ahead of time. If something is on clearance, like classic blue jeans or something with simple lines, I will buy a size up also. DF was upset last Dec while he was deployed b/c I was shopping so far ahead, but is now thanking his lucky stars that I was able to clothe the 3 kids in name brand and mix and match with almost no $$.
I agree that clearance and sales are the way to go. I also hit the garage sales, thrift stores and consignment stores. My kids are not picky about their clothes so I can get them outfitted for a pretty resonable price. I shop online from time to time and its great. The promotion codes are great - like free shipping for purchases over $50. I get emails from stores that I shop online and that helps. I am all for getting the most for your dollar. I do buy stuff ahead to like winter coats and summer clothes for my BD7. She is growing at a normal rate so I can judge. My BS16 went through a phase when he was 10 or 11 and he changed sizes 3 times in six months. I was very thankful for thrift stores because I was in college and did not have squat for money.
It depends on many things.
Does the school require uniforms? If so, that is pretty cut and dried and can be kept to a minimum. In fact you can start with 2 maybe with 3 bottoms and 3 tops. This option will require you to wash midweek. Then you can add a little every couple of weeks. Works well with a budget. Even if the school does not require a uniform, if the child is elementary or new to school, I would probably start with the basic uniform pants (inexpensive) and buy regular tops. Almost every store sells uniform clothing and I'm talking even Family Dollar (around $10) whose pants I hear are really rugged and good for boys.
Some stores will offer buy 1, get 1 or buy 1, get 1 50% off or even buy 1, get 1 for a $1(Penney's). Walmart sells them but I'm unsure of the cost.
If the school does not require uniforms. As I mentioned earlier, you can still buy some uniform pieces because they are inexpensive, you can usually get pants ($10) and a polo ($5-8). Unless of course you find non-uniform clothing for cheap which is doable, but requires TIME and gas. I'm not sure about your area because each is different. Just know that if you start with maybe one pair of jeans and 2 uniform bottoms you can add to it later. Shirts are usually pretty inexpensive.
As far as shoes, Payless has some nice looking shoes, for not much cost. They oftentimes (in my area) offer the BOGOs (buy 1, get 1 50%). I usually would get a casual and a sneaker. You can get a decent starter wardrobe for around $100, but that doesn't include socks, underwear or hair accessories (girls).
As far as the school supplies, a lot of places have crazy deals on pencils, paper, backpacks, etc. You may even try some areas in the community. Our church gives them out free every year. Last year the kids summer camp gave them out. This year BM took the kids to a particular library and if they checked out 5 books, they got a free backpack and school supplies. So there are usually lots of programs in the community that want to help kids gear up and be ready to go back to school. Good luck and I hope this helps some.
The biggest thing is, start small and add a little along the way. I know the kids want the latest fashions and sometimes we have to say no. I would probably buy one outfit that they really want and give them a budget range though.
Step Mother's Motto this week is:
You don't have to LOVE me, you don't even have to LIKE me... But you will RESPECT me.
Depends on their ages
For younger kids, Kmart has cute/nice clothes that seem to hold up well. And reasonably priced, of course. For older kids, Forever 21 or Marshall's have a wide selection and good prices.
For shoes, I usually find good buys at Target or Payless.
We found a great consignment
We found a great consignment shop near us. The kids were delighted to find stuff they liked for much cheaper than even Wal-Mart and Target. Once they realized how quickly their shopping budget would go, they were especially picky about what they bought.
Made me laugh all day to hear the disgust in their voices over how much clothes, shoes, purses and best of all WEBKINZ cost. I'm talking sticker shock like you wouldn't believe when it was their own money.
We shopped yard sales, Walmart, old navy, target, and Marshall's looking for clearance and sales and came away with a pretty good amount of stuff. Oh - and Steve and Barry's - everything was $8.98 (coats too!)
I love Steve & Barry's
They don't have one near me. There is one near where my daughter attends college in Alabama. They have really nice stuff for $8.98. That sale has been on since May. Wow. Everything is usually $14.98, which is still a great price.
Step Mother's Motto this week is:
You don't have to LOVE me, you don't even have to LIKE me... But you will RESPECT me.
I sit in front of the
I sit in front of the computer all day, and find tons of great deals. I'm a big fan of Kohl's clearance online. Last winter I found summer clothes for the kids at 90% off. I was able to pay $5 for Candie's jeans, and bought size 12 for that winter, and size 14 for this winter. $100 can buy me six outfits for each kid (3). I recently bought 6 pairs of Candie's jeans, 3 skirts, and 4 shirts for $45 for FSD10. Shirts (name brand) go for $3-8. When I shop online, I google promotion codes for the stores, an usually end up with free shipping, 10-30% off, plus.
Ross is wonderful. They have complete sets for girls for as low as $5. We went to Oregon last week and bought FSS7 ten shirts for $50. He got his Adidas shirts, Nike sweatshirts, Levi's, Chaps, and some skater style shirts. $3-$5 each shirt. No sales tax made up for the gas $ we spent driving up from CA. We were on a family vacation.
For juniors, I love Wetseal.com. I have the Seal Deal card, so I save 10% each time. Google a code= free shipping. Shop clearance= usually additonal half off.
I learned to buy ahead of time. If something is on clearance, like classic blue jeans or something with simple lines, I will buy a size up also. DF was upset last Dec while he was deployed b/c I was shopping so far ahead, but is now thanking his lucky stars that I was able to clothe the 3 kids in name brand and mix and match with almost no $$.
my shopping
I agree that clearance and sales are the way to go. I also hit the garage sales, thrift stores and consignment stores. My kids are not picky about their clothes so I can get them outfitted for a pretty resonable price. I shop online from time to time and its great. The promotion codes are great - like free shipping for purchases over $50. I get emails from stores that I shop online and that helps. I am all for getting the most for your dollar. I do buy stuff ahead to like winter coats and summer clothes for my BD7. She is growing at a normal rate so I can judge. My BS16 went through a phase when he was 10 or 11 and he changed sizes 3 times in six months. I was very thankful for thrift stores because I was in college and did not have squat for money.