Back to school time is here. Depending on where you are in the country that could be next week like me or in a few weeks.

Regardless of when the kids go back one thing is pretty universally true…it adds up fast and can get quite expensive.

As a Mom of Five kids ranging from almost twenty down to four I’ve learned a lot of things about back to school shopping.

Here are my strategies to not lose my sanity or every penny I have in savings.

School supplies:

Print the list. Sit in front of your computer or anywhere with your phone when you can concentrate for a few. Order everything you can possibly order that way.

Yes it is fun to go into the store and look. However being in the store means you open yourself up to a lot more opportunity to buy extra stuff you don’t need or to end up buying the more expensive versions of what you do need.

If you’re like me and waited until almost the last minute this year (whoops) then you have the added pressure of last minute shopping as well as stores running low on stock depending on how last minute it was.

Order online. Depending on your store of choice many offer things like curbside pick up so you can go and get everything brought out to you.  Some stores do same day delivery which is super helpful just keep in mind things like fees tips etc.

For awhile I did curbside but the past few years I have changed my strategy… I order the supplies to be shipped to my home.

This saves me a lot of valuable time and sanity. I don’t have to go get it…or reorder it if running to pick up slips my mind or we get busy. I don’t need to plan around Florida weather and not head to pick up to have a thunderstorm start on my way.

Someone is almost always home so I don’t need to worry about the weather getting to my stuff before I do.

Either way store pick up or delivered to your home online ordering takes a lot of stress out of shopping.

I almost always order extra. When crayons and paper are on sale for a significant discount I like to buy extra for when supplies run out or for work at home. I always try to carry homework supplies in the afternoons so when we are out and about we can work on home work if we are waiting. I also will send some extras into the school so if someone needs something the teachers have. I have a middle schooler so I send her extra pencils and pens incase her friends ever need it.

If you are struggling to afford the necessary items there is often help that can be found. Reach out to your child’s school and ask. Also local organizations sometimes will do back pack drives or back to school events when supplies are given out.

School clothes:

I have three kids in schools with uniforms now but that wasn’t always the case.

If you have kids in uniforms I highly recommend checking to see if your school has any kind of uniform closet. Some schools the items are free, some schools charge a small amount per item. This can be a great way to even just supplement the clothing budget. This is especially helpful if you have multiple children or if you have a child who is currently in a rapid growth phase.

If you school doesn’t you can ask friends about having a clothing swap.

If you do not have kids in school uniforms school clothes still get expensive and you have to deal with other factors like making sure you have variety etc.

Check out thrift stores. You would be amazed how often you find things barely worn or even with the tags still on. I especially love thrift stores associated with a local church because I have found they sometimes have fill a bag sales which are huge money savers. They will also sometimes have assistance with clothes and other supplies for those who need it just call ahead to see.

My son needed new nice pants for school and Amazon can be a great place to look. I was so fortunate his size pants were currently on sale so we grabbed a few pairs.

If things are on sale and you can buy a few sizes up to put aside.  This can be a stretch but if you can try to plan for it it helps a lot in the long term and prevents you suddenly scrambling to buy new clothes when your kids suddenly don’t fit something… happens more often than you think it will.

If you are not shopping for uniforms one way to help with cost is to buy clothes that can mix and match. A couple pairs of jeans for example can mix with quite a few different tops.

School shoes:

Neutral shoes also help because they match most things.

If your school has a dress code neutral shoes are usually a must.

If your school doesn’t a black pair of sneakers match most outfits.

For things like gym sneakers or shoes foe sports I highly recommend doing a quick internet search before you buy.

Because I knew exactly the fit we needed I purchased shoes online for my kids this summer. We needed school sneakers. Some kids needed new play sneakers and we also needed clets and basketball shoes…ouch. I was able to find Under Armour shoes for huge savings.  An outlet sale combined with an additional coupon made me save 50 % to 70% on the shoes I was buying.

When you find sales like that if you can buy up a size or two and save them for when your kids outgrow theirs. Yes it is expensive but if you can plan ahead and put some money aside for the next sale this will save you a lot over time.

Quick neurodivergent parenting tip : if you can swing it buy a cheap pair of neutral back up shoes. I can often find a pair for around $20 and it has saved me on mornings when somehow a single shoe or entire pair of shoes is no where to be found.  If you purchase neutral and either don’t use or barely use you can pass down to a younger sibling or friend or charity they won’t be wasted. If money is tight check out a second hand store. Its worth having a back up.

Also try to do this for things like belts, ties etc.

Your and your child’s sanity is worth something on busy school mornings. Yes routines can help but stuff still happens sometimes.

Back to school can be very expensive but some simple planning and tips can make a difference.

Happy back to school!