Cost-Saving Strategies for 2008 Back-to-School Shopping
(ARA) – Rising gas and food prices are putting the economic squeeze on most American households, and it’s already time to begin back-to-school shopping. Families with school-age children are expected to spend over $500 on back-to-school merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation.
They’ll also likely spend many days driving from store to store to get all the right items. It’s no wonder parents are looking for creative ways to save money and limit their time in the car.
“The kids may look forward to some new sneakers or the most stylish new backpack as a welcome silver lining to going back to school, but for parents finding a bargain and saving time becomes vital at this time of year,” says Theresa Boldrini-Laird, shopping expert for NearbyNow.com. “Planning, preparation and patience can help parents save money and limit the amount of time spent in the car.”
Here are some easy ways to save time and money when seeking back-to-school bargains this year:
* Remember that saving time is just as important as saving money. While online shopping may seem like an easy way to save time, many shoppers – including parents – are turning to a new shopping strategy that capitalizes on the Internet’s information-gathering power and the unbeatable immediacy of buying in a store.
NearbyNow, a California-based Web site, allows consumers to log on and search for specific merchandise at more than 200 local shopping malls across the country (go to http://www.nearbynow.com to find a mall near you). As a bonus, some shoppers who put items on hold may even get it for free thanks to the HOLD IT. WIN IT.(TM) for Back to School promotion.
Using the Internet or a mobile phone, parents can check the in-store availability of a much-needed item in 10 minutes or less, and if desired, put the item on hold for pick-up at a nearby store in the mall. Shoppers receive an e-mail or text message claim check to remind them where and when to pick up the item, and the claim check may also have other special offers from nearby stores. The NearbyNow service eliminates both hours and gas spent traveling to and from multiple store locations, shipping costs and time spent waiting for online orders to arrive.
* Make your list and check it twice. “It may sound so simple, but making a list is a great organizing tactic that too many people overlook,” Boldrini-Laird says. To draw up your list, first take stock of what your kids already have, and remember to think beyond just notebooks and pens. Do they need new Converse sneakers or will the pair you bought at the beginning of summer do just fine? Can they reuse last year’s backpacks, or can they use a new style with wheels? Does your teen desperately “need” a new cell phone – you know, the one that everyone has. Or does your college-bound child require a laptop? Be sure you know what you really need to buy.
* Decide on a budget and stick to it. Your budget should be generous enough to cover all the necessities and a few “extras” to make your kid feel cool at school. Get kids involved in budgeting; it’s a great way to teach them how to manage money. Plus, if everyone knows up front how much can be spent – and on what – you’ll possibly head off a few arguments.
* Shop smart. Take advantage of back-to-school sales, and visit retailers’ Web sites to print out coupons. Many offer online-only coupons to reward committed deal-hunters. As much as possible, avoid using credit cards to fund back-to-school purchases of short-lived items like schoolroom supplies, backpacks, clothes or sneakers.
To save money on gas, consider doing your back-to-school shopping in a single trip and carpool with other parents also tackling seasonal shopping.
“Smart shopping strategies may never really ease some kids’ desire to avoid going back to school and extend summer fun forever,” Boldrini-Laird says. “But they can definitely make the back-to-school experience more cost-effective, time-friendly and stress-free for parents.”
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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