Stretch your back-to-school clothing budget

Shopping for back-to-school clothing can be an opportunity to spend time with your children, teach them some thrifty tips and learn something about their personal tastes. You do need to have a frank discussion about your budget and the needs-vs-wants issue before shopping.

Here are a few strategies to add value to your clothing budget:

• Inventory the present wardrobe. Clean out closets to see what is outgrown and what needs to be replaced.

•  Make a list of needed items, which will help limit impulse shopping.

• Decide on a price limit for each child. Little children have no concept of price so find clothing that is acceptable to you, within the price range and then let them make the final choices. For preteens and teens, set a budget and then let them choose the styles and colors. To ensure the clothing is acceptable, check out the school dress code in advance.

• Know merchandise, quality and prices. Shop in stores that have good return policies. You can also save considerable money by shopping the tax-free days this weekend.

• Look for signs of good workmanship. Double stitching, reinforced knees, good quality fabric and easy care are important. For small children, choose clothing that has zippers with pull rings; elastic waistlines; large buttons; and no laces, belts or sashes.

• Read the labels before buying. Dry cleaning significantly increases the cost of the garment. Choose clothing that can be machine washed-and-dried. Only choose hand-wash and dry-flat items if you are willing to go to the extra trouble.

• Measure the price against use. You can pay more for items that require durability or are used more frequently than those that will be worn only a few times. This cost-per-wearing approach is a good way to measure how much to spend on an item.

• Be alert to trends; a few garments of the latest style can add pizzazz to a basic wardrobe. Don’t buy all the clothing items before school starts.

Give your children a chance to see what their peers are wearing so there will be money in the budget to add some items during the first few weeks.

 For more information, contact Kris Jenkins, University of Missouri Extension human environmental sciences specialist, at jenkinsk@missouri.edu; contact your local extension office at 816-252-5051, 1501 N.W. Jefferson, Suite 110, Blue Springs, or visit extension.missouri.edu.