ShopSmart Reveals Tips on Saving Big For Back-to-School

YONKERS, NY – Shopping for back-to-school items doesn’t have to hit consumers’ wallets hard.  The September 2008 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, reveals that it’s possible to get great deals on that back-to-school shopping trip. Helping consumers in these money crunching times, ShopSmart experts detail easy strategies to save on children’s clothing and accessories.

“In past years, you may have given in to spending a bundle on back-to-school shopping but, with the rising costs of raising a family, splurging on new clothing is no longer an option for many of us,” said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief, ShopSmart. “Following our guide will save you money and still have your kids looking sharp for the start of the new school year.”

ShopSmart’s Seven Tips to Cut Spending on Kid’s Clothing

1. Stall with Summer Sale Items.  Hold off on buying fall trends until the Labor Day and Columbus Day sales.  Kids can often wear summer outfits that can be snagged at deep discounts because it’s likely that the weather will still be warm when the school year begins.
2. Don’t Stock Up.  Take inventory of a child’s wardrobe to avoid buying unnecessary items. Resist the temptation to stockpile for the indefinite future since kids hit growth spurts, tend to stick to favorites and can get overwhelmed with too many choices.
3. Arm Yourself with Coupons. Before hitting the stores, check for coupons and online coupon codes on Web sites like www.couponcabin.com (or Google the names of retailers and the words “coupon code” to find sites). Shoppers can potentially save 10 to 50 percent, or at the very least shipping costs.
4. Try Things On.  Avoid wasting money on items a child may never wear by getting them to try items on and give their approval. Always check a store’s return policy before shopping.
5. Stick with Cotton. Spend money on cotton because of its kid-friendly fibers that are comfortable, breathable and durable. Keep in mind that cotton can shrink as much as 10 percent.
6. Pay Full Price, Sometimes.  You don’t have to buy everything at bargain prices for a good deal. If a child loves and wears an item of clothing over and over, it’s worth the extra money.
7. Buy Shoes Online, But Do Some Footwork.  Shopping online is not only convenient but is a great way to get popular brands, colors, styles and sizes that local stores can’t keep in stock. First, visit the local store to scope out selection and get your child’s foot measured, then look for sites that offer free shipping, no sales tax and free return shipping so you can easily return pairs. 

About ShopSmart magazine:
Launched in Fall 2006 by Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, ShopSmart draws upon Consumer Reports’ celebrated tradition of accepting no advertisements and providing unbiased product reviews. The magazine features product reviews, shopping tips on how to get the most out of products and “best of the best” lists. ShopSmart is ideal for busy shoppers who place a premium on time. ShopSmart has a newsstand price of $4.99 and is available nationwide at major retailers including Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Borders, Kroger, Safeway and Publix. Subscriptions are now available at www.ShopSmartmag.org.