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6 Back to School Saving Tips

We're at that time of year again and, for most of us, this is a tax-free weekend. This will give you an opportunity to buy all your school supplies tax free.

Here are some back to school saving tips to make the most of every dollar spent:

1. Use what you have. Before you make your list of school supplies, go through your home and see what you currently have to fulfill the school supply list.

2. Purchase more generic supplies. Rather than spending more on the "bling-bling," encourage your kids to dress up notebooks and accessories and purchase lower-cost generic supplies. This can be done with craft supplies you currently have at home to make these items more personal. This includes notebooks, back packs, book covers (which can be created from home), etc.

3. Repurpose clothing. Instead of replacing the entire wardrobe, go through all the closets and start piecing together outfits by repurposing. This can be done through layering, ties, dying, shortening, and using your creativity to repurpose clothing you already have in the closets.

4. Gather up all the clothes that will not be worn. These clothes can be used for a clothes swap you can arrange with neighbors and friends (or at your local church). Kids can swap clothes and receive clothes that are new to them- and you can contribute the clothes that will no longer be worn.

5. Take unused clothes to consignment shops. We frequent Buffalo Exchange and have found some fantastic bargains. But what's great about consigment shops, such as Buffalo Exchange, is you can bring your unused clothing and swap it for credit. This is another way to expand every dollar and free up more money!

Here is a video featured on ABC news covering our favorite consigment shop...

6. Pace yourself. Everything, especially clothes, do not have to be bought at the beginning of the year. Many sales take place a few days after school starts. Make sure to shop "after holiday sales" for additional savings. This is when your dollar has real power- with savings of up to 75%, or more.

Name Brand Shoes

If you must purchase new name-brand shoes, get them sized before you buy. Most of these shoes are highly marked up. Once you know the size, go to the internet.

We purchase our name brand shoes from 6pm. 6pm features an array of name brand shoes for the entire family (plus clothing) at greatly reduced prices. Many times you can find name brand shoes up to 75% off.

Each of us purchase one good pair of shoes per year and this is where we purchase them.

College Text Book Savings

BookByte.com offers discounted college text books where you can buy (or sell) your college books. Instead of paying full retail, or the high costs of purchasing your books at the college bookstore, you can enter the ISBN and name of the book to do your search.

Until next time, may you live in lavish cheapskate liberation!