Smart Tips for Back To School Shopping

It's August, which means it's time to start thinking about back-to-school shopping. So if you've got kids, here are five tips to save you some money.

1. Shop on tax-free holidays which by the way this weekend is the tax-free weekend here in Mass. You can purchase certain back-to-school items without paying sales tax.

2. Make a plan, Splurge strategically. According to a recent survey, 66% of parents admit to splurging on clothes during back-to-school shopping and 50% splurge on school supplies. But spending a ton on pens or the latest fashion doesn't make sense.
Instead, spend where it counts on the things that last for a while. A high-quality backpack or laptop can last your high school kid until college.

3. Go online or use store apps to price match before and after shopping. Price matching is where you compare the price of an item at several stores and ask them to match a lower price. And 10% of parents never do it.

4. Parents get together, team up to buy in bulk. Those classroom supply lists can get pretty long, and lots of other parents have the exact same list. So team up with other parents in your child's class, and purchase the supplies in bulk.

5. Have some patience, wait to buy some items. Your kid doesn't need a brand new wardrobe or a year's worth of supplies on the first day. By waiting on some purchases, you can spread the cost across several months and possibly get better prices.