Back to School Clothes Shopping: 6 EASY Ways to Save More!

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The first day of school is filled with the excitement of kids seeing their friends, but back to school clothes shopping often leaves their parents feeling depleted financially.

It’s easy to overspend when every store seems to have endless promotions, and kids start pointing out the latest trends they “need” to have.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way! There are so many ways to save on back-to-school clothes shopping, so here are my top 5 tips to keep more money in your pocket.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Audit Your Closet: Take stock of what you already have before shopping to avoid unnecessary purchases.
Invest in Clothing Staples: Spend a bit more on essential items like sturdy pants and quality shoes that will last through the school year.
Join Swap or Buy Nothing Groups: Find free or low-cost items locally through clothing swaps or social media groups.
Shop Thrift Stores Online: Find high-quality, gently used clothes for a fraction of the price at online thrift stores.
Use Cashback Sites: Shop through cashback sites for extra savings and rewards on back-to-school essentials.
Always Search for Coupons: Check for available coupon codes online before you buy to maximize your savings.

Back to School Clothes Shopping: 6 EASY Ways to Save More!

1. Audit What You Kids Have at Home

Before heading out to shop, start by taking stock of what you’ve got at home. Many times, items like T-shirts, hoodies, or even shoes from last year are still in great shape.

Go through each closet, pulling out clothes that still fit and are in good condition.

Try creating a list of what’s needed based on any gaps you notice so you’re only buying what’s essential.

This helps avoid buying duplicates or items you don’t actually need, saving you both time and money.

I say this is for anything on the shopping list- clothes, shoes, accessories, school supplies, etc. See what you have that works, and don’t spend money on repeat items.

Who needs 4 more notebooks when others are at home untouched??

2. Spend the most amount of your budget on staple pieces with staying power.

When you shop, you should think about what clothes can become staples in your kid’s wardrobe so it lasts.

When I use the term “staple pieces,” I’m referring to those pieces of clothing that are worn often (and is durable!, will work with multiple outfits, and have a tendency to wear out.

For example – if you have boys, it may be wise to spend a little more money and get quality pants or shorts with reinforced knees.

That way they don’t rip holes in the knees by month 2. It will cost you a bit more money, but in the long run it will save you money.

Sometimes a staple can also be shorts or pants that match a lot of outfits- like black or tan, so their t-shirts always have a good pair.

Another staple product is shoes. Instead of getting the flashy shoes that your kids might be automatically drawn to, get high quality sneakers that will work with multiple outfits.

Stay away from white sneakers that will end up looking dirty within weeks. It drives me nuts every time, and I’m not going to spend time washing sneakers or buffing them out.

I’m a mom, and only sometimes a miracle worker!

3. Look for online clothing swap groups or Buy Nothing groups on social media.

My kids’ school has an online Facebook group where parents swap clothing when their kids grow out of it.

My kids wear uniforms to school, and they are often still in decent condition by the end of the year.

I posted my daughter’s polo shirts for free in that group, and then got free clothing from someone else in the group for her.

But you can get connected for stuff outside of their school- search for “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook, which are local and often filled with parents looking to give away gently used clothes.

Not only can you find clothes for free, but you can also donate items your kids have outgrown, helping other families in the process.

If your school or community doesn’t already have a group, consider starting one—it’s a great way to foster community support and save money!

Our group shares everything from household items and groceries to clothes and car accessories- all free to people nearby.

4. Check out online thrift stores

Thrift shopping can offer surprising gems, and now you don’t even have to leave home to find great deals!

I love going to Goodwill and finding kids clothes for $3-5 a piece or less, but online shops can take less time and keep my savings high.

There are a lot of great online thrift stores like Swap.com, ThredUp.com, and Schoola.com.

These stores offer name-brand clothes at a fraction of retail prices, and many have categories for school essentials. You can even find cashback rewards and referral discounts on some sites, stretching your budget even further.

Goodwill also has an online store with more “high-end” items or stuff in better shape, and sometimes that leads me to find cheap backpacks and sneakers.

It’s worth shopping around on a few apps and comparing quality and price to be what your kiddos need this fall.

5. Search for coupon codes online to save even more money.

Before you shop online, look for additional coupon codes by signing up for the website’s email list.

I never check out online without doing a quick coupon code search!

You can search websites like Coupon Cabin or Retail Me Not for coupon codes, and most sites will have have digital flyers with coupons or a page dedicated to coupons on the website.

Often, signing up for a store’s email list can score you an initial discount or promo code. Some stores even stack codes, letting you save extra on sale items.

Also, don’t buy everything all at once- wait for that receipt coupon! Multiple transactions could save you more money int he end.

Many stores will send you a thank you coupon code where you can save an extra percentage off of your next purchase, or have them right on your receipt.

May as well spread things out a bit and use more coupons.

6. Shop online through cashback sites like Swagbucks or Rakuten to get extra money back.

If you are shopping at stores that have store pickup, shop online for those items to get cash back, and then pickup in the store for free.

Why leave free money on the table when you can get savings with the click of a button?

Cashback sites like Swagbucks and Rakuten offer rebates on purchases from popular back-to-school retailers. Our other site has reviews of Swagbucks and Rakuten if you want the full skinny on how I use them!

Not only are you getting a great deal on the item, but you can also earn cashback rewards to earn cash for future purchases!

Simply shop through these sites to earn a percentage of your purchase back, which can add up quickly, especially if you’re buying for multiple kids.

If you’re shopping online for in-store pickup or plan on shopping in store, start on the cashback site, then select store pickup to save on shipping fees or select the cashback you want to earn shopping in person.

BONUS TIP: One Splurge Item

Being on a budget doesn’t always mean that you have to tell your kids “no” all the time, so plan for one splurge item.

Even though the focus of this article is to save on back to school shopping, it might make sense to budget for one splurge item.

Still on sale and still needed for school, but maybe a cooler version or a nice upgrade for the new school year.

This is a great teaching moment for your child, as you can show them how to get the best price as possible on things they want rather than need.

Kids can receive a lot of pressure to wear the latest and best clothing and accessories. Encourage kids to think carefully about their splurge item and help them get the best price possible.

As a parent, you have control over how much money you spend on your child. It is hard to not let your kids dictate what they get to buy when shopping for them.

But if you teach your kids about money and teach them bargain-hunting skills, they will hopefully never want to pay full price again!