Ruth to the Rescue: a back to school savings strategy

Parents can't avoid the ritual of checking off a back-to-school shopping list, but there are ways to make it cheaper.

Ruth to the Rescue recently met up with two metro Detroit moms who run their own money saving blogs to talk about what parents should (and shouldn't) do when coming up with a back-to-school budget.

Jolyn Felten runs BargainsToBounty.com and has three children, ages 4 to 11.

Tatanisha Worthey has three boys and has been blogging on AMittenFullOfSavings.com for five years.

Both moms agre that the first step for back to school planning is to take an inventory of school supplies and clothes to see what can be reused. You can do the inventory in June as soon as the school year end, or you can do it in July or August before gearing up for the new year. And, try to have a little fun along the way. "Have a little fashion show," Felten said. "See what still fits. Then, make a list of what you need before you even head to the store.

Another first step is to compare prices store to store, online and with coupons. This helps you spot which place really has the best deals.

If you have more than one child, be sure to cross-reference their individual school lists and be prepared to buy supplies in bulk. 

"You know you're going to need a lot of pencils or a lot of glue sticks. Buy in bulk and break those up between the kids," Felten said.

Getting the most out of your backpacks can also save you money. The moms suggest buying quality backpacks with lifetime guarantees.

"We take those backpacks, we empty them out and wash them, hang them to dry and get another year out of them. We're on the fourth year on the same backpacks right now," Felten said.

When it comes to when to start planning for back to school, the official season starts July 5.

In Michigan, it peaks in mid-August and runs through mid-September, as public school students don't return to class until after Labor Day.

However, it's never too early or too late to save money. You should look for clearance sales all year long on the things you need, like school uniforms.

"Wherever they sell uniforms and they clearance it out, I can get polo shirts for $2, pants for $5, that's usually when I save the most," Worthey said.

Non-traditional savings ideas

Graphing calculators can cost about $100, so Worthey suggests you think about using social media to save big money.

"I'm going to be looking in those Craigslist and Facebook groups to see who's selling one. Maybe I can get one for $50," she said.

For clothes, hand-me-downs don't need to be from siblings. You can share gently-used items with friends and other family members.

"Try to get a bunch of moms with a bunch of different sizes and come and each bring a dozen items. Have a get together and do a swap of what you've already got and take home some new items," Felten said.

And while supplies and clothes may be at the top of your list, don't forget about stocking the kitchen for school lunches.

"Right now, pretty much all the stores have those back to school types of food on sale. So, last week I stocked up on a lot of chips and snacks and such," Worthey said.  

Even if you're not a parent, don't ignore the savings on clothes and supplies that could be yours. 

"Remember that school supplies are office supplies," Felten said. "Now is the time to stock your office with some of those great deals" 

10 more savings ideas

Price-Match: This might not be necessary for really inexpensive items like pencils or notepads, but check each store's policy to see if there's extra savings if you shop around.

Save your receipts, especially if you shop early in the season. Some stores will drop their prices and some offer a price adjustment if you can show them your receipt. Always understand the rules and regulations before trying to score the savings.

Try thrift-stores and consignment shops if your students demand designer clothes. You might be able to find some great items for less.

Join loyalty programs at your favorite store, as they will sometimes offer bigger and better perks.

Try to generic versions of school supplies.

Hold a savings contest with your children. Let them help you with the shopping, and the child who saves the most money could earn a reward.

Give each child a splurge item, so they can home one item that they really want, once they have everything they need.

Look for "flash sales" on line. They are special offers that pop up online for a very limited time.

Buy summer clothes that are on sale/clearance for the first few weeks of school. As you know, the weather in Michigan can still be quite warm into September. Your students will stay cool and save money if they bought some sale items late in the summer. Then wait for the fall sales to save more money on warmer clothes.

Don't forget to map out a budget before you start the entire process. If you just go shopping without an idea of what you want to spend, you're much more likely to overspend.