Back to School on a Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide to Thrifting

Back-to-school season can put a strain on finances. Learn how to make a budget go further by thrifting. The best part? It’s fun for kids, and both your planet and wallet will thank you!

Step 1: Create a List

Make a list of essentials. Walking into the store without a plan is a bit like making a recipe without checking to make sure you have all the ingredients. Sometimes it works, and… well…sometimes it doesn’t. Remember, back-to-school lists are guidelines, not deadlines. Some items aren’t needed until weeks after school starts, so in some cases it may be fine to take your time and purchase items at a discount. Think basics rather than trends. Make a list of these basics.

Step 2: Shop Your Home

What’s the first thrift store you should shop? The free one, which is your own home or apartment! Look for unused notebooks, pencils, old backpacks, lunch containers, folders and art supplies. Spend a few days going through closets. Try on clothes to see what still fits and what doesn’t. Everyone likes new clothes, but if you can focus on a few new basics rather than an entire wardrobe, that can help the family budget. Old backpacks can be washed and upgraded. Think about upcycling an old backpack with iron-on patches, fabric puffy paint, fringe, or markers in school colors.

Step 3: Wait for Some Items

What is the worst month to buy new clothing? It may surprise you, but August is one of the worst. Demand is the highest, and discounts are harder to come by. If there are items you can’t find thrifting, consider waiting for Labor Day, tax-free holidays and early fall clearance events when stores are moving new winter inventory in. This can lead to substantial savings on summer clothes. Consider shopping the regular office supply aisles and clothing sections, rather than the back-to-school aisles, which have more impulse buys and trend items.

Step 4: Head To a Thrift Store for Essentials

The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot to look great. Thrifting has become very popular, and the inventory is high. Shop for basics like jeans, t-shirts, athletic wear and skirts / dresses. Think broadly in terms of where to thrift: local thrift stores, consignment shops, school supply drives, parent groups, online marketplaces on social media platforms and community garage sales are all good places to start. Ask your local thrift stores about student discounts and tag sales. Make sure to inspect items closely for defects before buying. Don’t get discouraged if you come up empty-handed on your treasure hunt. Because the inventory changes rapidly and donations can come in at any time, you may have to go back several times or early in the day to find what you are looking for.

Step 5: Involve Children & See the Benefits

Teaching kids to thrift provides a lot of downstream benefits. In addition to teaching them how to save money and create a budget, they can learn about the positive impact on the environment: thrifting prevents fast-fashion waste and promotes a more sustainable future. Did you know that more than 1,000 gallons of water are used to make one pair of jeans? Diverting textiles from landfills reduces pollution and saves water and energy. Thrifting also allows kids to express their personalities by choosing unique, one-of-a-kind items. The good news is that thrifted items often last longer and are more durable than trendy fast-fashion items. Teaching social responsibility to kids is a life lesson they will carry forward into their adult years.