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Back To School Shopping Tips


Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.comIt seems like that time of year has come again. Always before I feel like I’m ready and always before I feel like I’ve had a full summer: Back to School. As much as I enjoy having my kids home with me, I can sense that they are ready to go back to school. Too many days bored or ornery in a row… time for school to start. With back to school comes the inevitable back to school shopping. I think it’s an official kid rite of passage… the annual pick out new stuff for the new school year shopping trip.

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

Each year we hit the stores to get that perfect “first day of school” outfit.  When they were little this was a pretty easy task, they had little to no opinion on the matter and they actually NEEDED new school clothes as they had grown an insane amount over the summer. Now that they are getting older clothes shopping for back to school is getting a bit harder. They aren’t growing as fast so they don’t need as many new clothes and they are getting very specific ideas of what they want to wear (code word “expensive”).

Back to School Shopping Tips:

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

My oldest is now 19 and a few years ago we found a system that works very well for us when it comes to back to school shopping. After fighting with her numerous times over what she can and can’t get for school clothes, one year I just told her how much she had to spend and let her figure it out on her own.  It’s amazing how much less kids will spend when they are conscious of a budget.  Not wanting her to blow her entire budget on useless things we started talking about WANTS vs. NEEDS.   She wants a new pair of jeans… she NEEDS a new pair of shoes since her feet grew over the summer– get the idea?

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

Free Printable Back to School Shopping List:

Now we use this system for back to school shopping. They make a list of their wants and needs. They have to fill in their needs first, then they can move onto the wants. I kept the wants on the list because I want them to know it’s okay to want to buy certain things, but that it’s only okay after you’ve meet your needs first.

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

I’ve even included a FREE PRINTABLE for you if you’d like to try out this system on your kids. (Just a note, this doesn’t apply to school supplies, as those are dictated by the school district here, no dividing up wants/needs for that).  Click here to download it.  The system has worked well for us, it makes the kids look for deals on what they want and involves a little bit of budgeting and math – always a good thing, in my opinion.

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

If you’re looking for ways to save money on your back to school shopping I thought I’d let you know about the American Express Car Member Benefit Amex Offers.  It’s really simple: you login to AmexOffers.com with your American Express ID and check out the Offers available to you. Click “Save Offer” then shop with that merchant while the offer is active and pay using your American Express card. American Express then automatically applies the special offer to your statement as a credit. No carrying around extra coupons or trying to explain things to less than informed store employees.

Back to School Shopping Tips and Free Printable Shopping List on polkadotchair.com

If you don’t already have one, you need to create an account at AmexOffers.com to get the offers. It doesn’t apply to all card members, so click through and see if your Amex card offers the benefit. You can also connect it securely to your Facebook, Twitter or FourSquare to find offers from places that you normally shop. There are LOTS of offers to choose from, so I can’t list them all- but here’s a heads up of some coming up for the back to school shopping season.

Merchant Name Offer Offer Start Date (mm/dd/yr) Offer End Date (mm/dd/yr)
America Eats Tavern Spend $75, get $25 back 7/21/2014 9/8/2014
Dollar Tree Spend $101, get $20 back 7/21/2014 9/2/2014
Gelson’s Spend $50, get $10 back 7/21/2014 9/21/2014
JCPenney Spend $50, get $10 back 7/21/2014 9/2/2014
Whole Foods Spend $75, get $10 back 7/21/2014 9/30/2014
Bed Bath & Beyond Spend $25, get $5 back 7/28/2014 9/2/2014
Ebags Spend $50, get $10 back 7/28/2014 8/31/2014
RockSugar Pan Asian Kitchen Spend $50, get $15 back 7/28/2014 9/15/2014
Sports Authority Spend $50, get $10 back 7/28/2014 8/31/2014
Crazy 8 Spend $25, get $5 back 7/29/2014 9/9/2014
Cheesecake Factory Spend $75, get $10 back 7/30/2014 8/31/2014
Lowe’s Spend $200, get $50 back 7/30/2014 10/29/2014
Marriott Courtyard Spend $100, get $20 back 7/31/2014 9/30/2014
Big Daddy’s Spend $50, get $10 back 8/1/2014 11/30/2014
Henri Bendel Spend $200, get $50 back 8/1/2014 8/31/2014
Lucille’s BBQ Spend $50, get $10 back 8/1/2014 10/31/2014
Brooklyn Industries Spend $75, get $15 back 8/4/2014 9/30/2014
Four Seasons Restaurant Spend $100, get $20 back 8/4/2014 11/4/2014

How much would a $100 American Express Gift card help with all of that back to school shopping??? Quite a bit I’m guessing.  Just tell me your favorite Back to School shopping tip and you’ll be entered to win.

Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#AmexOffers” and “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 8/4-9/1.

Be sure to visit the Amex Offers brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

 

 

 

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220 Comments

  1. I shop for five (5) grandchildren so I always use the rewards I receive from various stores I shop at as well as coupons/coupon codes to save hundreds of dollars.

  2. I have the retailmenot app on my phone that lets me know if the store is offering any specials or coupons.

  3. My favorite back to school shopping tip is use coupons, shop early, compare prices, make a list, and add match when possible.

  4. My tip is to shop early for certain school supplies like folders and wired notebooks because it seems like the “boy themed” ones are always gone quickly and my boys don’t really want Hello Kitty themed ones 🙂

  5. Tip: if it is a “designer want” one of my girls wanted, I budgeted for what we were willing to spend on it and if she still wanted it, she would have to use her own, saved money to make up the difference. You’d be surprised how many times that “I just have to have it” item wasn’t purchased! ;D

  6. I will go ahead and pick up supplies I know the kids will need when I see them on sale or clearance throughout the year.

  7. I am an old maid school teacher, retired! I always picked up school supplies when I caught a good sale, then I had lots to give my nieces and nephews with plenty for my class. I don’t see where people are checking out secondhand stores. There are some great upscale ones. You can go out of your school district, then your child won’t be told that they are wearing so-and-so’s shirt. When I was a child, we got a pack of undies each, shared a pack of socks, shared skirts and blouses…we got 3 new outfits…my sis is three years older than me and she was about 30 pounds heavier… And the clothes fit her! Mom and Dad had 8 kids, 5 in school at one point. We passed lots of clothes down. I wore lots of shirts that belonged to my four big brothers. I sneaked their black socks, too.

  8. I actually love to shop all year round when I see sales. I hate waiting till the last minute and I hate lines. so if i see a deal when I”m out. I’ll grab it then!

  9. I go online to see where there is a tax free shopping for back to school. I also make sure that I go online to see if there are coupons for brick and mortar stores that I might need to go to.

  10. Always check for sales – bring circulars, many stores will match the price for you!! That can mean big savings without having to run around all over town!

  11. I buy things gradually over the summer. My son wears uniforms so shirts are easy, but I know he’ll need khakis, shoes, a backpack, etc. I watch for % off coupons so that he can pick exactly what he wants.

  12. Start early! After 3 years of waiting until the last minute I finally went early this year! It’s nice to have it all done!

  13. Shop as soon as the “must have” lists come out from the school, otherwise everything will be gone! Also we always shop for lunch boxes/bags online, as the store selections are usually lacking.

  14. being a teacher i am always looking for steals on supplies. my favorite was finding protractors for $.10 each! i stocked up!!

  15. We purchase back to school supplies on tax free weekend to save money. I also stock up from I see items at a good price, like pens, pencils, paper and pocket folder. I also buy supplies at the dollar store.

  16. I shop sales, use coupons, participate in rebate offers. I also go by the school supply list–not what my kids ask for!

  17. My favorite Back to School shopping tip- consider shopping online via cash back sites to save.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  18. My daughter is grown now, but I used to scan the papers for sales and shop accordingly. Of course now you can also check online 🙂

  19. My favorite tip is to shop year-round for the best sales and clearance, so you don’t spend a big chunk all at once on more expensive items.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  20. my best back to school shopping tip is to buy early so you can get the items you need – there is always a few items every year that the stores never have enough of!

  21. Take advantage of back to school sales & price matching at stores, so you don’t have to go to multiple stores for the best deals!

  22. My back to school shopping tip is to use online couponing sites when it comes to school supplies for the best deals in regards to coupons + store sales combinations. As for clothing, remember that they GROW so don’t go overboard trying to buy a new wardrobe for a new year of school – get some new things but you can always buy throughout the year, it doesn’t all have to be done at once.

  23. I suggest buying things early for the best selection and so there isn’t a last minute rush to get items on your list.

  24. I skip the first round of BTS sales. Prices usually get better as the start of school gets closer…even after school starts for those less essential items.

  25. My best school tip is to check out ALL the offers (AMEX, sales, coupons, everything) before you head out to shop.
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

  26. I buy all of my daughter’s stuff online and use cashback shopping sites like Ebates and TopCashback to earn money.

  27. Don’t leave for the last minute – get the sales and coupons when first run! tvollowitz at aol dot com

  28. My shopping tip is to buy clothes early. For example, end of season clearance sales in the summer provide really good bargains.

  29. My back to school shopping tip is that I do my shopping over a number of weeks. Each week, I look for the best sales and purchase the sale items. Therefore, I’m saving and buying only items on sale.

  30. Factor in the cost of gas and loss of time that happens when you go from store to store just for their specials. Try to keep it down to the two best and closest stores for back to school shopping.

  31. I buy extras of most everything–pencils, pens, crayons, paper, etc so that we have more than enough for the entire school year.

  32. We buy a lot of school stuff for next year at end of the year sales. We have saved so much money and just put the clothing away till the next year.

  33. My best advice is to take advantage of sales, especially at the beginning of the January when out of season clothing starts getting clearanced out. I was able to buy my son two designer coats that were both valued over $100 for just $17 altogether! 🙂

  34. I like to stock up on things I know the kids always need, like folders, backpacks, etc. at the end of the season when they are greatly reduced.

  35. School starts over an hour earlier this year.. so theres less time to do things in the AM to be ready. Make sure you get things ready the night before to save time in the AM. It really does help.

  36. Shop early before stores run out of the good stuff. Make it fun for the kids by getting lunch out after.

  37. My best tip is to make sure you know what you want to buy BEFORE you go to the store so you’re not tempted to pick up to little extras you don’t need.

  38. I just recently discovered the AMEX offers – such a great perk of having the card! My tip is to buy ahead when seasonal items go on sales. I’ve already stocked up on summer clothes for next year.

  39. Hunt for coupons codes if shopping online and print coupons if shopping in store. I don’t shop for clothes without coupons. Thank you!

  40. Shop the clearance sales to stock up for the next year’s school supplies. Some items never change, so you don’t have to worry about buying the wrong things.

  41. I never shop without good coupons, especially when buying clothes. They outgrow them so fast. Thank you. Love Amex

  42. My best back to school shopping tip is to pick things up on sale throughout the year and the summer, so Back to School isn’t such a shock to the pocketbook!

  43. My favorite Back to School shopping tip is to get to the stores very early in the season because the best clothes go quickly. Thanks for the giveaway!

  44. My best tip is to let the kids help choose their supplies and school clothes, within the limits you set for them. Our kids always seemed to take better care of everything if they were in on the shopping.

  45. I watch for mark downs and clearance racks. It helps me to have a list to stick to.
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

  46. Shop with a list and do your research before going to the store. Sometimes an online deal may be a better price..

  47. My best tip is to stock up on school supplies you know your kids will need next year at end of season clearance.

  48. My tip is to shop with a plan in mind so you buy what you need instead of getting caught in sales for other things.

  49. my back to school shopping tip is to not wait until it’s back to school time but buy stuff when you see it for a good price. for school supplies, the stores mark down all the leftovers during the month of September,so I buy stuff I know my kids will need the following year and save it til then.

  50. my best tip for shopping for school is to check the online coupons and the in store coupons to make sure they match and they are eligible for both!

  51. My favorite tip is to shop second hand 🙂 A lot of second hand stores have brand new items and clothes, but at the second hand prices, so it’s a great way to pick up the things you need for a lot less 🙂 They’re used stuff is good too! 🙂

  52. I start out with a list for supplies and clothes … when the list is done and we have extra cash we can FUN shop!!

  53. We try to do just one special outfit for back to school. Otherwise, I try to shop clearance in advance.

  54. First, I’ll look online for the best price-if there is a delivery charge-I’ll usually not buy it. I also go through all the weekend newspaper ads.

  55. My state is no participating in the tax free weekend, but I believe this is a great way to save on school supplies.

  56. My best Back to School shopping tip is to start way earlier than you think you should so you do not loose out on good deals and supplies. I start as early as right after 4th of July.

  57. I don’t have children in school any more but I still shop the sales for office supplies. Shopping at a store that has a reward card helps and I shop throughout the year although usually the back to school sales are the best for office supplies.

  58. I am always looking for good deals. I usually shop throughout the summer so I don’t have to spend so much at one time.

  59. Always look in the Sunday paper before you go shopping so you can find the stores with the best deals and coupons to help save money!

  60. I try to buy ahead for next year by shopping the clearance sales in the fall when the prices really go down. You would need to get a supply list for the grade ahead of your child first.

  61. We wait until after school starts for most clothes that way we get better sales and it’s to hot for regular school clothes.

  62. Shop school supplies all year to get good deals and have it done by the time back to school comes around and you won’t have to buy it all at once.

  63. If your state offers no tax weekend for back to school, then wait until then to make big purchases because they usually come with extra incentives

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  64. My back to school tip is to not go crazy with buying school clothes. Buy 1 set for the first day of school. Stock up on essentials throughout the year when you can find them on sale.

  65. My TIP: Shop around online first! Impulse buying “even when something seems like an unbeatable deal” is never the wisest decision. Think through your purchase. Budget what you can afford before you head out that door!

  66. My favorite tip is to find the deals I want for things i need online before heading to the store. That cuts down on impulse buying a lot!

  67. My back to school shopping tip it to do it in increments, instead of one big chunk shopping spree. Especially if you have more than one child. Starting as soon as the kids are out for the summer, I start my BTS shopping. $100 would be so wonderful to win, cause I am still lacking rain gear and coats. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

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