Back-to-school shopping smarts

How to send off your scholar with the right stuff at the right price

Summer is drawing to a close, and parents everywhere are bracing for the annual rite of back-to-school shopping. Whether their kids are heading to kindergarten or college (or they themselves are returning to academe), they can expect to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on supplies, clothes, and computers.

But the economic downturn has many of us looking for ways to cut spending everywhere we can, including school shopping. Last year, 71 percent of the parents surveyed by Deloitte, a New York-based financial firm, said the recession would change their school shopping habits.

Here are some strategies to outfit students of all ages before the opening-day bell without blowing the budget:

School supplies

Start at home

Do you have a stash of stuff left over from last year? If so, gather it up. Many teachers and schools are more relaxed this year about their supply lists to give parents more flexibility, says Chuck Saylors, president of the National PTA.

Buy in bulk

When you do go supply shopping, go big. Notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers are often sold in bulk.

Go for plain

While a preteenager might be convinced she'll die without that $6 Hannah Montana three-ring binder, a basic unadorned $2 binder serves the same purpose and can be used long after Hannah has been replaced by the next pop idol.

Clothing

Again, start at home

Take inventory of what you already have. Has your son really outgrown those sneakers, or does he just want the latest style?

Stick with classics

Laura Coffey, a columnist and contributing editor for TodayShow.com, recommends buying shirts in solid neutral colors and classic styles—polos, T-shirts, and basic pullovers. They're easy to mix and match, won't show wear as quickly, and remain stylish from year to year.

Stock up cautiously

Growth spurts can make stocking up risky. But if you see a good sale, consider buying for the future. Some shoe stores, for instance, periodically have buy one pair, get one pair half-off sales. Get one pair for the fall and another for the spring.

Computers

Buy online

If you're shopping for a new computer, you might want to order directly from a manufacturer's Web site. You can configure the computer à la carte, selecting only the options you need. But make sure you double-check your options list before placing an order. Some manufacturers tack on extra software packages by default.

Buy refurbished

Slightly used computers are readily available on eBay and Craigslist. They should be more than adequate for basic schoolwork: word processing, PowerPoint presentations, and Internet research.

Consider campus deals

Check with the college computing department and the campus store. Turn to your school when buying software as well. Academic licenses can save you hundreds of dollars over retail. Dell and Apple also offer academic discounts on their Web sites.

A final tip

Whether you need a computer, art supplies, or books, look online for coupons and promotion codes before you buy. Go to Web sites such as RetailMeNot.com and CouponCabin.com. Or search for "promotion code" and the name of the retailer. Remember that some stores let you use multiple promo codes on the same purchase. One of our reporters recently saved 45 percent by using two codes at once on the Borders Web site.

This article appeared in Consumer Reports Money Adviser.