Back to School Bargain Hunting

DIY School Supplies

Along with the expensive clothes, kids are drawn to glitzy accessories. Brand new backpacks and lunch totes are irresistible when they come in coordinating palettes, or when they advertise the latest superhero/championship ball team.

So why not DIY? Canvas bags and backpacks that you already own can be transformed into masterpieces with iron-on decals or simple-stitch patches and fabric cut-outs. Last year's binder/pencil box can come alive with pro team stickers, sequin flower designs, or a mosaic of hot-glued buttons.

Encourage kids to be unique and to develop their creative side. DIY projects prompt kids to recycle, create quality family time, and provide inexpensive alternatives to marked-up retail products.

Bottom line: The novelty of having the coolest and latest school supplies will wear out within weeks of school starting, but the money will have been spent forever. Your craft skills and creativity can bring old items back to life.

Compromise on Clothes

Your kids probably have very discerning taste — especially if they've hit middle school. They want certain brands and labels, which are bound to cost big bucks. One way to appease young fashionistas is to spring for a few jerseys or sweaters with the expensive store logo, and pair these items with inexpensive jeans, skirts or cargo pants from a discount superstore.

Solid colored skirts and leggings will always look great with a trendy top. And Calvin Klein himself probably can't tell where you bought your denims.

Bottom line: Mix a few key big name items with less expensive ones. Avoid buying expensive jackets or accessories that may be easily lost or stolen—save yourself and your child the loss and heartache.

Buying Power in Numbers

Lots of retailers work to generate higher sales by offering increased savings on bigger purchases.

You've probably seen buy one get one free offers, or coupons for $25 savings with every $100 purchase. If your favorite retailer is offering a deal, maximize your buying power by teaming up with relatives and friends. Larger orders can yield larger savings.

Along the same lines, if you or someone you know belongs to a membership warehouse club, consider shopping together to purchase household items in bulk to save.

Don't forget to search the Internet for additional coupons and rebates.

Bottom line: Purchase back-to-school items in teams especially if a local friend has a membership to a warehouse club or if a group wants to combine orders to get free shipping from an online retailer.

Waste Not, Want Not

Don't waste money on juice boxes, paper bags, baggies, or prepackaged snacks. Crackers, chips and pretzels can be purchased in economy-sized portions.

You'll save a bundle if you wash out old containers with lids (e.g. margarine or cream cheese), and reuse them as snack holders. For drinking, try a quality water bottle (make sure it's BPA-free.) The double bonus is that your kids' health will improve from increased water consumption.

Bottom line: Personal snack packs are bad for the environment with the extra packaging and bad for your wallet since they cost more per unit. Save the planet and your cash with reusable containers instead.

Save the Best (and the Cheapest!) for Last

Chances are good that your kids won't need new snow boots, or even sweatshirts, on the first day of school. And in terms of supplies, some teachers require very specific items (e.g. black and white composition notebooks) that send you back to the store during the second week of school anyway.

In both cases, you're better off waiting to buy.

Since many stores are feeling the pinch of decreased sales, they're likely to unload excess merchandise, at larger discounts, 2 or 3 weeks after the initial back-to-school shopping frenzy subsides.

Bottom line: Avoid the hectic craze of back-to-school shopping by waiting until the kids are back in school. The parking will be better and the prices will too.