Parents Hit the Books with Smart Shopping Strategies

By Kristal Zacharias

As students get ready to hit the books, parents are brushing up on spending strategies for this year's back-to-school shopping season. With schools providing fewer supplies amid shrinking classroom budgets, parents are emptying their wallets to help fill the gap.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average family of K-12 students will spend $688.62 on back-to-school supplies, an increase from last year's $603.63. One-stop shopping at discount stores can help parents rein in costs.

In Aliso Viejo, Target Store Team Leader Erik Hanson recommended several money-saving tips:

• Use the Target REDcard to save 5 percent on every transaction (and another 1 percent of the REDcard purchase can go to the school of your choice)
• Check newspapers and circulars for coupons and sale prices

Aliso Viejo resident Alison Cox, amother of two children ages 5 and 8, spent her allotted school supply budget on higher quality lunchboxes, while watching the sale ads for socks and shoes.

“I purchased the lunchboxes from Land's End that are easier to clean, more durable and reusable,” Cox said.

Dr. Cathy Simon Rooney spent a majority of her back-to-school budget on school uniforms for her daughter, but applied a “wait out the sale” strategy to save money.

“I waited to purchase my daughter's uniforms when the supplier held its annual 10 percent off sale, which was well worth it," Rooney says.

In the past, uniforms were a signature of private schools. However, the shift to uniforms even at public schools continues to grow. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that approximately 23 percent of all public and private schools in the United States now have a uniform policy.

Some parents piece together school uniforms by shopping for the various items at multiple retailers rather than a single uniform supplier.

Even though uniforms are becoming the norm for more schools, fashion over function still rules. Hanson said the hottest brands available at affordable prices this year for girls include Harajuku (by Gwen Stephani), Dsigned (by Disney) and Hello Kitty. Meanwhile, boys prefer Shaun White, Denizen (by Levi’s) and Converse. And, for older kids and teenagers, let's not forget those electronic items such as Apple iPads and iPods.

However, some parents are approaching school shopping with a minimalist spin. Aliso Viejo's Paul Rabara, father of two sons age 6 and 7, purchased new uniforms, but decided to reuse last year's backpacks.

“Fashion and the latest trends are irrelevant for our sons and our family,” he said. “As parents, we need to offer money and volunteer time to our schools. Spending a lot isn't where it's at these days.”