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How to Stick to a Back to School Budget

August 23, 2012 at 11:45 pm  


I’m excited to be working with Women and Co. right now on a a campaign to get moms talking about money. One of the challenges we were assigned was to give kids a spending budget for Back to School and see how they did! My girls were super excited to have their on VISA gift cards for our shopping experiment, but I was a little nervous about turning them loose.

What happens when they spend all their money but don’t have jeans or shoes or underwear?

To curb the fear, I split the gift cards up a bit. Each girl got $50 for her First Day of School outfit and whatever else she could buy. I set aside another $50 each to guide their spending. I retained full veto power on the 2nd gift card so if they still didn’t have shoes, I could say no to the jewelry purchase.

Giving each girl their own gift card allowed them a little more ownership of their back to school shopping. Typically, I spend about $100 per girl, but I’m the one budgeting and making final decisions. This time, it was all on them — and I think they were even more careful with their money.

Lorelai was mostly just thrilled to sign her name at the checkout. Brenia loved swiping her very own card and having “her own money” to spend on clothes. Stacia just wanted as many shoes as she could possibly purchase to wear with her new school uniform. Shoes are the only personality allowed at the new high school.

And, I want them to able to express their personality, but I also want to get plenty of clothes for their budget. We had to find that delicate balance between trendy and frugal. Each girl came away with outfits they love, a couple pair of shoes, and even a few accessories, so I think it was a win!

Here are 3 ways to help kids get what they want, on your terms:

  • Take Stock: Have the kids try on everything that still looks nice enough for school. We have a fashion show each season, making 3 piles: keep, pass to little sister, donate. Take stock of what still works, so you have less to buy. Take a look at your office supplies, too. You may already have many items on their lists!
  • Stick to Basics: For clothes and school supplies, sticking to basic items or neutral colors can save a bundle. Buy just one trendy item to pair with jeans. Use one fun binder, with inexpensive folders. Give kids the power to add just a little personality, while keeping to a more frugal purchase.
  • Mix and Match: Instead of buying several different outfits, I helped the girls pick a couple shirts that matched several pairs of shorts. They can mix and match to create 4-5 new outfits, out of just a few purchases.

All three girls ended up with purchases they can’t wait to show off at school. The teen started school last Wednesday. I’m pretty sure she’s worn a different pair of shoes ever since. The younger girls went back to school on Tuesday, and the only problem with their new clothes is choosing which outfit to wear each day!

If you still have some back to school shopping to do, here’s a chance to win some cash from Women and Co. I’m giving way 2 — yes, 2 — $50 Visa gift cards! Let’s talk money — leave a comment here to enter, and let us know how you save money for back to school. You can earn additional entries by:

  • Subscribing to our site by email or RSS
  • Following Inexpensively on Twitter
  • Following Women and Co.
  • Liking Inexpensively on Facebook
  • Sharing this giveaway [Twitter, Pinterest, blog, forum, public Facebook note] (Get Back to School on a budget with @Inexpensively and @WomenAndCo! bit.ly/OzsDho)

For your extra entries to be counted, be sure to leave an additional comment directing us to your entry. Only one additional entry per method (i.e. While multiple tweets are appreciated it, only one will count as a drawing entry.) The contest runs until 8/30 at 11:59pm est. Two winners will be notified by email on 8/31 and receive a $50 Visa gift card. Winner will have 48 hours to complete the claim form or a new winner will be chosen.


I was provided with Visa gift cards by Citibank as part of the Women and Co. campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Reviews/Giveaways, Shopping Tagged With: Back to School, school supplies, sponsored giveaway

About Heather Sokol

Heather Sokol is the founder of Inexpensively. She has been married to Spencer for many, many years. Together, they have five kids, fourteen pets, seven fish, and a web development company. What they lack is sanity.

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  • Back to School Clothes
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Comments

  1. Kelly says

    August 24, 2012 at 12:49 am

    OK, full confession here. I don’t have kids BUT I still shop for school supplies. 1) Who doesn’t love new pens? and 2) I loved back to school shopping so much that my heart breaks for kids who can’t afford it.
    However, I did get into a little bit of trouble a couple of years ago. I was strictly shopping the sales but those little purchases can add up, especially if you are going every day! (but really it was the $5 backpacks that killed my pocketbook.)
    So, now I give myself a budget for the entire “season” BEFORE leaving the house on the first trip. I still shop the sales though … love the Staples/Office Max/Office Depot stuff for pennies as long as you buy $5!

  2. Katie says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:08 am

    I always shop the sales for school supplies.

    And for uniforms, I always check thrift stores. I’ve found 2 of my girls dress uniform plaid jumpers for under $5 each – and they retail for $40.

  3. Katie says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:10 am

    I follow @inexpensively on twitter.

    @katieunscripted

  4. Katie says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:11 am

    And I like on facebook too.

  5. Katie says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:13 am

    And I shared on Facebook.

  6. Livivua c says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:25 am

    I do not eat out and just grocery shop with coupons

  7. Livivua c says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:29 am

    https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/238991256171188224 tweet

  8. Livivua c says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Follow womenandco on twitter @ vivaciousgold

  9. Livivua cHandler says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:31 am

    I like on fb

  10. Livivua cHandler says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:31 am

    I follow inexpensively on twitter

  11. Mami2jcn says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:36 am

    I’ve been saving by shopping clearance racks. I also look for store coupons.

  12. Mami2jcn says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:37 am

    I subscribe to your emails.

  13. Mami2jcn says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:38 am

    I follow Inexpensively on Twitter–mami2jcn

  14. Mami2jcn says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:38 am

    I like Inexpensively on Facebook as Mary Happymommy.

  15. Mami2jcn says

    August 24, 2012 at 9:40 am

    Shared on Facebook–https://www.facebook.com/mary.happymommy/posts/406482072751370

  16. Elena says

    August 24, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I use coupons and shop on sales

  17. Elena says

    August 24, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Follow Women and Co on Twitter @ElenaIstomina

  18. Elena says

    August 24, 2012 at 1:10 pm

    I like Inexpesively on Facebook (Elena Istomina)

  19. Elena says

    August 24, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    https://www.facebook.com/#!/elena.istomina.12/posts/216747181787751

  20. Elena says

    August 24, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    follow Inexpensively on Twitter @ElenaIstomina

  21. punkinmama says

    August 24, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I shop at consignment sales for most clothing. I also buy clothes when they’re on clearance for the following season. I’m on the lookout for good deals all year long – “back to school” doesn’t necessarily mean extra shopping for me – at least not yet.

  22. punkinmama says

    August 24, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    I follow inexpensively on twitter.

  23. punkinmama says

    August 24, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I subscribe via Google Reader.

  24. punkinmama says

    August 24, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I like Inexpensively on FB.

  25. Jessica To says

    August 24, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    I shop the sales and watch ad papers and use coupons!

  26. Jessica To says

    August 24, 2012 at 3:35 pm

    I like Inexpensively on facebook.

  27. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    We like to save money by getting clothes from consignment stores.

  28. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    I’m subscribed to your site through RSS.

  29. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    I’m following Inexpensively on Twitter.

  30. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    I’m following Women and Co.

  31. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I liked Inexpensively on Facebook.

  32. Elisabeth says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    I shared to twitter: https://twitter.com/egood33/status/239103449038458882

  33. Cindy says

    August 24, 2012 at 7:52 pm

    I make a list and check prices in the Sunday ads and online.

  34. Cindy says

    August 24, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    Email subscriber.

  35. Nancy says

    August 24, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    We save money at back to school time in several ways: shop sales, use coupons, get store rewards/ bucks, re-use what works, sell or consign out-grown items, etc.

  36. Nancy says

    August 24, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    I’m an email subscriber.

  37. Nancy says

    August 24, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    Like Inexpensively on FB

  38. Laura Jacobson says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    To save money, I clip my coupons and watch for all the good deals you post! I also start early and whenever I go to the grocery store, I try to pick up 1 item such as a notebook or a folder. That way it doesnt hit my budget all at once.

  39. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:07 pm

    I save money by using price matching and coupons.

  40. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    subscribed to your emails

  41. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    now following on twitter (JenniferCNP)

  42. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:10 pm

    following women and co on twitter (JenniferCNP)

  43. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    liked inexpensively on fb (Jennifer Messner M)

  44. Jennifer Marie says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    tweeted

    https://twitter.com/JenniferCNP/status/239183192022736897

  45. Laura Jacobson says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    I Following Inexpensively on Twitter
    ilovemybeagle2

  46. Laura Jacobson says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    I Following Women and Co on twitter
    ilovemybeagle2

  47. Laura Jacobson says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    I like Inexpensively on Facebook

  48. Laura Jacobson says

    August 24, 2012 at 10:29 pm

    I tweeted
    https://twitter.com/Ilovemybeagle2/status/239187747028496384

  49. Jessie C. says

    August 24, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    To save on back to school, I shop on sales and use coupons. Also check clearance racks at store for savings.

  50. Jessie C. says

    August 24, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    I’m a subscriber

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