5 Essential Back to School Savings Tips When You are on a Tight Budget

OMG! It's like I fell asleep planning for summer and I woke up needing back to school savings tips! Where did the summer go? It seems like just yesterday we were planning out our summer activities and that has turned into planning our back to school shopping strategy! For me, this back to school shopping season is like no other in past years. Why? Two words – TEENAGE DAUGHTER!  What used to be as simple as me saying “Here, put this on” has turned into eye rolls and expressions I didn't know her face could make! This could have turned out the be the most expensive back to school shopping season ever had I not been ready for it. Here are my back to school savings tips for anyone on a tight budget like I am.

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How to go back to school shopping with a teen daughter 

If you've followed me for any amount of time, you know that I am one budget-shopping Mama! I'm always keeping an eye out for good deals on anything I buy. I plan well in advance for seasonal shopping like back to school and holidays. I knew this year would be a challenge because my daughter is heading to high school and can now wear whatever she wants (instead of uniforms).  Back to school shopping was easy in prior years because she really only needed new pants and new uniform tops. This year, however, I totally feel like the husband that reluctantly goes shopping with his wife and just sort of gets dragged from store to store. Thank goodness for smartphones apps to keep me entertained while sitting on the floor outside her dressing room! 

In preparation for this back to school shopping season, I got started early and did my homework! As a single mom, my budget is always pretty tight so I have to have a plan and be prepared to put in some extra work to find the best savings on back to school clothes and supplies.  Here is how we managed to knock out our back to school shopping this year and still have money left in the bank!

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Back to School Savings Tips – #1 Start Early

I start saving for school shopping when the season ended last year – but not from my actual budget. I use several savings apps and also do surveys in my spare time that earn points (to be redeemed for cash and/or gift cards). As back to school season gets closer, I'll cash in my points for gift cards to the stores I know I'll be shopping at. 

I got started on the actual “shopping” part in early July – but not actually buying stuff.  Now that my daughter is particular about her clothes, we went a few times to the mall so she could try on the latest styles to find the exact style and sizing of what she liked.  Now that she is growing, different brands fit her differently (thanks to those wonderful hips God gave us women!) Instead of spending money that day, we took snapshots of the tags for the stuff she wanted so I could do some research online for later shopping. Also, when she heads to the mall with her BFF's, she'll send me snapshots of her wearing outfits (so I can yay or nay on whether it really fits lol), along with a snapshot of the price tag showing sizing details. Instead of cute pics of my kids, my camera roll is filled with what looks like a teen Instagram feed!

Back to School Savings Tips – #2 Shop Online

Since I knew the exact clothing items she wanted, I kept tabs on my Ebates app to see where the best deals were for the things she wanted. (I would not survive back to school or holiday shopping seasons without Ebates!)  For example, she wanted jeans from American Eagle Outfitters.  The price of the jeans in the store and online was the same, however, I could get 4% cashback if I bought it online through Ebates. Plus, I found an online shopping code (RetailMeNot) for free shipping and 15% off. SCORE! I found similar deals for shoes that she wanted (OMG shoes are expensive!).  In the end, I managed to find an online discount code AND free shipping for everything that she had found in the store.

Right now (and during most major shopping seasons), Ebates has 2x Cash Back offers where they offer double the normal cash back percentages. This worked out great for me because American Eagle normally offers 2% but right now it is 4% so SCORE AGAIN!  If you aren't already using Ebates – why the heck aren't you?  You can sign up for free and get a $10 sign up bonus to get started!

If you live in a state that has Tax-Free Weekend, you can also score some additional online savings as well. Most online retailers keep up with these seasonal events in an effort to boost their own sales so they'll offer additional savings on their websites during Tax-Free Weekend.  

Back to School Savings Tips – #3 Resale Shops

Do you have a Plato's Closet near you? That is the absolute best place to take your teen daughter shopping for school clothes! Fortunately, my daughter doesn't care so much about having brand new stuff – just as long as it is cute and trendy. Plato's Closet is just one of many resale clothing stores for name brand apparel. They are very specific about what they'll accept and it is primarily “mall store brands” which is exactly where teen girls like to shop.  She buys most of her tops and blouses (and even a few cute dresses) there at dirt cheap prices. Seriously! We can walk out of there with around $200 in clothing and only spend like $40! To keep up her wardrobe throughout the year, I give her gift cards for her birthday and Christmas so she can shop all year long as the seasons change.

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More reads on finances:

• Girl Boss Finances – How to Save Money While Shopping
• 10 Easy and Creative Ways to Make Money When You Can’t Find a Job
• 7 Actionable Steps to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck and Start Saving Money

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Back to School Savings Tips – #4 Buy in Bulk

If you have more than one child in school, it might be worth it for you to buy certain school supplies in bulk (and get free shipping) through Amazon Prime. You can totally try Amazon Prime for free right here!  (I buy a LOT from Amazon so having the free shipping that comes with Prime has totally paid for itself!)  I only have my daughter now, but I buy a few things in bulk and then donate them to the classrooms (because we know teachers always need extra supplies!).  I keep Amazon gift cards on hand (that I've earned using my other shopping apps), and use them to pay for these bulk supplies.  Sometimes they even have an offer where you get bonus points when you reload a gift card.  And FYI – if you receive food stamps and/or certain other benefits, you can get the full year of Prime membership at a huge discount!

Back to School Savings Tips – #5 Clearance Racks

I'm not shy about admitting that I head straight for the clearance rack/isle any time I go to a physical store AND when shopping online! For back to school shopping, I don't buy the entire year's worth of clothes before the first day of school. I'll buy enough for several outfits and then wait for the “AFTER back to school” season where the stores must clear out space to make room for holiday stuff.  Everything from the summer shopping and back to school items will end up on clearance for like 75% off!  Of course, sizes and quantities are limited to what is left in stock but you can always find some really great deals AND you can still take advantage of your Ebates cashback on RetailMeNot online shopping discount codes.  This is actually where the bulk of her wardrobe gets purchased (along with some stuff that I'll save for Christmas gifts!).

Back to School Shopping Made Easy!

When it comes to planning and budgeting for back to school shopping, you don't need to increase your gray hairs or drain your bank account! Planning early (like planning for next year as soon as this season is over) is a huge part of why I don't sweat it anymore.  I can't tell you how beneficial using the savings apps can be. I usually end up with around $500 (in gift cards) that I can use towards back to school and/or holiday shopping.  Even if you are late getting started, you can start using Ebates today and still score some major savings and cash back. Be sure you have the Ebates AND RetailMeNot browser extensions installed on your computer! 

What back to school savings tips or hacks to do you have for saving money on back to school shopping? I'd love to hear about them (and add them to my list!).  Comment below and let me in on your shopping secrets!  Also, be sure you are following me on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with my latest ramblings (tips and tricks)!  You can also sign up below to get tips on saving and making money sent right to your inbox!