Fall means football and back-to-school shopping. With a little preseason planning, you can stretch your clothing budget dollar!
As any coach would do, use the preseason to evaluate your team’s strengths: sort through your children’s clothes, pass down outgrown items to younger children, and discard worn items. Make a clothing inventory of what each child has, their sizes, and what they need.
Now that you are ready to kick off the season, the #1 play in your book should be using the power of the internet to help you combine sales, discounts, and free shipping from your favorite stores. The easiest way to receive sales, free shipping notices and coupons is by creating a new email address just for registering with your favorite store, mall, & outlet mall websites (free email addresses are available from gmail.com or yahoo.com). Also be sure to “like” your favorite stores on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Each week, with your clothing inventory, coupons, and discount vouchers handy, peruse the store websites and match your coupons with sale items. Check sites like Retailmenot.com or Couponcabin.com for discount coupon codes, or search on Google with the words: Coupon Codes + (store name) ex: Coupon Codes Kohl’s. Shopping retailers through a site like eBates.com will earn a rebate on money you spend.
The same approach can be used in brick and mortar stores. Watch the sales ads online, and then visit the stores with your inventory and printouts of any discounts. Since many retailers allow you to use their discounts on any purchase, be sure to shop clearance racks to maximize your savings. While you are in the store, check GeoQpons or Foursquare apps on your smartphone for discounts or coupons to show the cashier.
Some of your greatest bargains may be found outside of the big box department stores. Thrift and consignment stores often have name brand clothing for pennies on the dollar. If you haven’t shopped in these stores before, plan regular stops at your local Goodwill to select items that are either new or next-to-new. One one of my recent trips, I found a $60.00 Polo shirt for my son for less than $5.00.
With some preseason warmup, you can score huge savings and a touchdown for the family budget!
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Printed in AroundAbout West Canton, East Canton, and Acworth magazines. Helen Maddox ( www.thelifeboat.info ) helps families weathering financial challenges. Helen is available to speak at your church, school, or community function: thelifeboat.info@comcast.net.
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