Back to School clothing budget?

[aprilgail2]

For supplies we've spent about $35 and we're almost done. DD needs a new backpack, so I'm still scouring deals. We need probably $20 more of supplies (Chlorox wipes, a pocket dictionary, quart ziploc bags, a 9 x 12 sketchbook) and then we're done!

Our list is smaller this year- usually its baby wipes, tissues, ziplocks etc....now in Jr. High they don't bring that stuff- YEA! Its still a long list but at least no extra classroom supplies type stuff

our list this year is:

6 Spiral notebooks
2 marble notebooks
6 DOC-IT folders (never even heard of these!)
1 box colored pencils
2- highlighters
12 blue pens
6 #2 pencils
2 packs index cards
1- pencil case
2- novel cloth book covers (reusables only) - not sure what novel book covers are either!!
4- reusable cloth textbook covers
1- dictionary
1- thesaurus
1- 9x12 sketchbook
12- ticonderoga pencils (ONLY ticonderoga please!)
2- white erasers (white only!)
5- plastic pocket folders (1 each of Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, White)
1- trapper keeper
1- pack looseleaf paper
1- 1" binder
1- novel of interest as needed for DEAR time
1- book bag or backpack (the girls use the aero tote type bags which she got as a grad. gift from a friend in June so we are good for this already!)

Supplies for ELO, English Lab, Math Lab, Academy must be purchased at school store. ( I have NO clue how much all this will cost!!!)

I don't know if I can even get all these for the OP's budget of 50.00!!

 

[Alexander]

We certainly don't buy clothes as a celebration! We buy them because the kids need them! DH has grown almost 4 inches in the past year. I finally had to hide his jeans because they looked foolish on him being so short! He has also grown now 3 shoe sizes in the past 10 months.

His uniforms will last him the entire school year. I only buy Lands End because they will last the entire school year. I will only replace his pants if they get too short on him (I usually order the longest length that Lands End will hem in his waist size so they last longer).

Unfortunately needing to wear uniforms eliminates the choice of wearing what he's worn all summer (which are now getting too small on him too!).

Between clothing and food for this child I am going to need a second job!

 

[Magic Mom]

If you are careful, you could start her off to school with lots to wear for under 150.00. When DD was that age, I bought a few cute pieces on sale or clearance at places like Gymboree, and I bought the staples from Target, Children's Place and even Walmart.

 

[SalandJeff]

OP - firstly, please don't feel the need to justify how you divy up your finances to others - whatever works for you DH is also clueless about the cost of things. If this will be an issue for your DH, tell him what your kids have that will work, what they need and then give him a lesson in what those things cost.

I feel your pain. Clothes are really expensive. My dd is 6 also. I can usually do pretty well at Once Upon a Child. Do you have one near you or another consignment shop for kids. I get emails about their sales. At this age, I don't think they are as fussy about brands. I also don't have a problem with gently used clothes for a child. It's not like anyone knows where you got the clothes.

I hit Once Upon a Child and Savers (new store for us in this area) during sales and got my dd some tops, sweaters, nightgowns, skirts, dresses (and a few bathing suits for next year). Paid between $.35 and $1.00 per item and they are all Children's Place, Gymboree, Old Navy, Gap, Disney Store. Some were brand new. I just got her a pair of Childrens Place patent dress shoes at Savers for $3.49. Last years dress shoes were Stride Rite from Goodwill for $3.99 - like new!

I consider "back to school" clothes what she will need to carry her through the fall/winter. She will wear what she has that is appropriate for the weather. Only exception will be a new dress for the first day of school...but it will be on sale and with a coupon!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I know this thread is mostly about littler kids, but I did see two replies about older kids.

This is what I have been doing with my teen-age daughter for several years now, with great success. I sit down and come up with a figure for ALL her school clothes. This year, for example, it will be more than last year because she needs sneakers, flats, and dress shoes, along with a new winter coat. It's a fairly substantial sum. (Oh, how I long for the days when I could buy jeans for her for ten bucks!) Anyhow, once I hand it over, it is HER money to spend as she wishes, but she gets not a dime more. If she wants to spend seventy dollars for a pair of jeans, I bite my tongue and she can spend it. It just means she will have fewer pairs of jeans. The funny thing is, when it is a finite amount of "her" money, she tends NOT to buy the most expensive stuff, to look for sales to stretch her money, and to really think hard about her purchases.

What a great idea! I will have to remember to do that when my sons get older.

To the original op, the best thing to do is to shop when clothes go on clearance and buy one size up so they can wear them next year. All of the spring/summer clothes that my kids are wearing were bought during last year's summer clearance sales.