7 back-to-school shopping lessons

September is a great time to share back-to-school shopping wisdom with your kids.

 Once kids hit school age, it seems that before you know it, they’re onto topics – logarithms, present participles, cell division -- that are over most parents’ heads. But there’s one subject grownups will always be able to help them with: shopping. September is a great time to share with them the best strategies you’ve developed during your many years as a consumer. And if you somehow haven’t acquired much wisdom to share on the issue, we’ve supplied some for you. Here are 7 back-to-school shopping lessons for kids:
 
1. Take inventory
Before you rush out to the store with your credit card, look through your school supplies and clothes closets and determine what you have that you can still use for the coming school year.

2. Make a list
Retailers love impulse buys – spur-of-the-moment purchases of items you don’t really need. Let the other shoppers boost their profits for them: Before you leave the house, make a list of what you’ll buy, and stick to it.

3. Surf before you shop
Even if you prefer buying from a brick-and-mortar store, browsing the Internet can give you a good sense of what the various items on your list should cost. That will help you develop a budget and prioritize your spending. You may also find valuable online coupons.

4. Make them match
They don’t necessarily advertise it, but many major retailers will match their competitors’ prices and honor competitor coupons. Pore through newspaper circulars to find the lowest cost for the items you need, then bring the circulars with you when you shop. Requesting that a store match its competitor’s price will not only help you save money, but also cut down on the number of stores you have to visit to get the best deals.

5. Designer labels cost
It’s OK to buy designer goods, but kids should know they come at a cost. If they choose a flashy, high-priced label, consider having them pay the price difference between the designer brand and the store brand.

6. Buy in bulk
You only need to know a little arithmetic to show your kids that school supplies often come cheaper if you buy in larger quantities.

7. Quality counts too
Remember that clothes and school supplies that wear out too quickly are ultimately a waste of money -- even at a bargain-price. When you find a brand that gives you your money’s worth, stick with it.