Kid’s jackets are one of those items of clothing that has a limited use in their wardrobe. Unlike other items, the jacket is usually pricier than other winter clothing. Finding the right size jacket and for a really good price can be a little difficult.

The time to start looking at this type of purchase is right at winter’s end when spring is in the air. It is now that these bulky items that take up a lot of shelf space are headed for the clearance racks. Don’t wait too long, because by summer, these jackets will basically be gone.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind besides the price when looking at kid’s jackets. The first is you want to go for a neutral color such as black, grey, blue, or brown. Even though there are many different color and pattern choices available, going neutral will be the best match for all of those other pieces of winter clothing your child has. You have to remember that you are buying for the future so those “fad” colors of this season aren’t necessarily going to be the hot trend next winter. Getting a neutral color ensures that you can match up things despite the trends.

The second thing is to remember that you will need larger sizes for next winter. Most kids have a tendency to shoot up during the summer months. You have to avoid the mistake of picking out a jacket size that would be too small for them. For jackets, it is better to go big rather than small. If you miss how big they are going to get, a little extra length in the sleeves doesn’t hinder them too much, and it can keep hands warm.

Finally, you have to consider the weather in your area. Obviously, light-weight jackets are going to be less expensive than heavy snow jackets. Your winter conditions may determine that you pick a high quality jacket that can withstand very cold temperatures. You may have to pay a little more than you would for a lighter jacket. It just depends on what part of the country that you are in.

The jacket is one of the higher priced items of clothing that you need for the winter season. Spring is the time to take advantage of clearance prices on this item. Just remember to stick with neutral colors, look for a bigger size, and take into consideration the weather patterns of your area. Planning ahead will keep you from paying higher prices later when the jackets again make an appearance on store shelves.

Freecycle is free. Just be sure to sign up for the area that is in your neighborhood and surrounding city. Picking up children’s clothing out of your area is going to cost you more in gas than the clothes themselves are worth.

You are expected to pick up the clothing as soon as possible. The whole point of posting stuff on Freecycle is to get rid of stuff fast. So, if you can’t manage a quick pickup, then someone might grab the opportunity before you can get there. You have to move fairly quickly on these offers to get what you want.

If you are nervous about picking stuff up from a house, you can arrange to meet in a populated place such as a grocery store parking lot. You also want to have someone with you for your own safety. Also, be aware of your surroundings. If any point you feel uncomfortable, you should leave the area immediately.

Condition of the clothing might also be a huge issue. Often times, you don’t know exactly what condition the clothes are in until you pick them up. There maybe some good pieces, and there may be some that are meant for the trash. You may get a mix of both. There are no guarantees on Freecycle, and giving the clothing back is not an option.

Freecycle is one way to find children’s clothing. Sometimes, they just don’t want to go to donation center. This way you both get what you want. They get rid of the stuff, and you get new children’s clothing.

Everywhere stores are offering discounts in an attempt to boost their end of the year sales. Nowhere is this more evident than in clothing stores where 50% or more sales are going on. This means that you can snag some quality pieces of clothing for a fraction of the price. Combine these prices with store emailed coupons and mailed coupons, and you can get a real bargain.

The real trick here is to be very choosy of the children’s clothing that you select. Because you are shopping at a clothing store, the prices can be a little higher than the Salvation Army or a consignment shop. So, you want to pick high quality pieces that you can easily mix and match that are still marked down.

Head straight to the discounted racks and ignore the ones that don’t advertise a sales price. It may require you flipping through a few sections to find those pieces. If the tag doesn’t say the discounted price, then always double check at the register before you buy. Otherwise, you might find yourself paying more than you wanted to.

Make sure to check the sizes on the clothing rather than go by what is on the hanger. This way you know exactly what size you are getting. If you aren’t sure whether the pants will fit your child’s waist line, have them try them on or go for the adjustable  waistbands.

Finally, keep the receipt. While some clearance items may be final, you probably have other items that can be returned if they don’t quite meet expectations. At the very least, you will get store credit that can be used for other clothing.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the after-holiday sales. They aren’t just for holiday items. You can also pick up some children’s clothing at a really good price.

The best time to buy pajamas is the week after Christmas when the half off sales are taking place. Things to think about when shopping right after Christmas is that you want to buy at least a size bigger than your child is now. Another thing to remember is that your child’s taste will likely change during the time period. So, you really don’t want to pick Christmas pajamas with a Dora theme if your child is about to outgrow her. Instead, go for more general themes. Just be aware that choices are usually limited after Christmas.

If you forgot to shop the after Christmas sales last year, wait until the very last minute this year. That’s when the you are going to get the lowest prices before Christmas. But just like waiting until after the Christmas rush, you may find yourself with limited choices.

Scout out different stores before you buy. The same Christmas pajamas might be available at a different store for a cheaper price. Another thing about searching at different stores is that you will encounter different types of Christmas pajamas. You may find that you like the pajamas at one store better than at another one. In this case, you really should head to the pajama department at each store you shop.

Christmas pajamas can be a deal. Start looking for them right after Christmas while the stores are getting rid of their Christmas items. But if you forgot, check out different stores now to find a cute design. You can find some really cute pajamas for a decent price if you take the time to look around for them.

Picking out the right size is a little more difficult, as kids are growing. This means that when you look at summer items, your children will probably have gone through at least one growth spurt. You want to buy a size bigger than what they are now.

Another thing you want to look for in these summer discounts is the ability to adjust the waist size. This is especially important in pants, skirts, and shorts. This will make the summer clothing more usable for a longer period of time and save on belts.

Stores are setting up deals at this time of year as well. Many are offering a certain amount off if you spend a certain amount. Don’t forget to bring coupons with you when you are looking at the discounts. They can help stretch your clothing budget a little more. Don’t forget to check out printed store coupons. Check your store’s coupon policy to see if these can be used in conjunction with each other.

Check online for deeply discounted summer wear. The big thing about this is to make sure to compare prices to make certain that you are really getting a deal. Sometimes, the online prices aren’t exactly the same as what is shown in the store. Get free shipping offered by some stores by having the clothes shipped directly to the store.

The off-season is a great time to shop for deals. Check out the marked down summer items. It will take a little planning ahead to get what you need. Don’t forget to throw in those holiday coupons for extra savings. Think ahead for your summer clothing.

The first, and most important, is not to take your kids with you. Yes, one of your kids is probably into high fashion, but that just means you will wind up spending more on clothing than you intended. This is because what they think is cool can cost big bucks. It is just easier and much less of a headache to leave them at home.

Head immediately for the discount racks. Avoid looking at clothing that you already know is going to be out of your price range. This way you won’t get caught up in the cute – but expensive – trap that many stores try to snag you with.

Shop for next year during times when retail stores are clearing out their shelves for upcoming weather changes. Consider buying jackets in the spring and bathing suits in the fall. Off season clothing comes down in price during these times of year.

Take a calculator or use the one on your phone. You will need this feature for figuring percentage discounts. Sure, twenty-five percent off may seem like a good deal, but is it really when the original cost of the item is one hundred dollars?

Double check any clothes you are picking up from the sales rack to make certain they are the ones actually on sale. Otherwise, you might get caught at the cash register. Retail stores do not always have their clothing in the right place. In addition to this, keep track of where the sales rack is just in case there is a disagreement between the price you expect and what the cash register rings up.

For additional savings, use any store coupons or those found online. You should read the coupon policy if you aren’t sure if the online coupons will be accepted.

Going with the store credit card for an additional savings isn’t a good idea. You could wind up paying more for the clothes than you intended. The only time you should do this is if you already have the funds to cover the purchase and use those funds to pay off the bill.

Retail stores can offer some pretty good deals, but it takes a very smart shopper to avoid many of the pitfalls.

You will likely need a neutral place to conduct your swap. This will give everyone a solid meeting place and time. Churches or an organization’s meeting place is a good location to conduct such a swap. Make sure to contact the appropriate person to get permission to use the facilities prior to the planned swap.

You also will need to recruit parents who are quite eager to get rid of their old children’s clothing. What is important is to have clothes of all sizes instead of just baby clothing. The key is to have a variety of sizes so that everyone has something to choose from.

Recruit a few volunteers to help set up the clothing on swap day. This will ensure that things run a little more smoothly. Also, make certain to have some volunteers for clean-up.

Make the rules of the clothing swap very clear. Post the printed directions in several prominent locations. Include them in whatever fliers or advertising method you decide to use. You will need to decide how much is enough for a person, and whether or not it is first come, first serve.

Create a plan of action for leftover clothing. The easiest and simplest plan is to let everyone know that all leftover clothing will be donated, so people don’t have to take things home. You may have to recruit volunteers for this part depending on how much you have left.

A clothing swap does require some planning on your part. It can be very successful for parents looking to add to their children’s wardrobe without paying a high price.

Since these are used clothes you are looking at, you still have to be picky despite the low prices. Make sure to inspect all the clothing you intend to buy. Look for holes, worn areas, or ripped stitching. While such imperfections maybe repairable, it is best to skip them.

Find out when your Salvation Army picks up items. This is the time to look for newly arrived children’s clothing, rather than waiting until all of the items have been picked through. If you get the timing right, you can probably find the items that you are looking for without too much trouble.

If you have specific items in mind, bring a list with you. This will help you from getting distracted by other items. Wait until you have filled your list before moving on to other parts of the store.

Don’t grab clothing off of the shelves just because the price is right. You will wind up with more clothes than closet space. Plus, the likelihood of your kids wearing every single thing you buy decreases dramatically.

Don’t take your kids with you. You will always spend more than you intend. You will also likely be spending more time in the toy aisle than searching through hangers to find what you need.

Don’t expect the store to be that organized. It may take some time to find what you need, because not everything winds up exactly where it should be. This is probably not the store for a quick stop just to grab something.

Bargains are at the Salvation Army. You just have to look for them. Avoid the temptation of overloading closets because things are cheap. Because there is no stigma attached, this is one of the myriad of ways smart shoppers can get the best deals on children’s clothing.

The first is to sign up for a free account with them. You can make up a username and password. Make certain to read all of the agreements concerning the terms of service and look at their policy on returning items.

Before you purchase anything online, create a safe account that you can put your money into. Consider a prepaid credit card or some payment system that is not connected directly to your bank account. You might want to look at setting up a different account just for online purchases.

Then you want to set your budget at the amount you want to spend, and don’t forget to add in shipping costs. You will need to stick to this number. It is very tempting to overbid on an item, because there is competition for it. Overpaying for an item is not nearly as satisfying as winning it at a really good price. If the price goes over your budget, drop your bidding. There will always be more children’s clothing available.

Research the price on the children’s clothing displayed by the seller before you place a bid. A quick search can tell you if you are really getting a good deal or not. Not all items displayed are going to be at a discounted price.

Look for sellers that have really good feedback on sent items. You are more likely to get exactly what is displayed. Ebay does have a return policy, so be sure to check it before accepting the purchase.

Concentrate your bidding on multiple items of children’s clothing. While you can bid on single items, it is more cost-efficient to head toward clothing that is sold in bulk rather than trying to buy a bunch of different individual pieces and paying the shipping costs on those.

Finally, remember why you are on Ebay in the first place. It is easy to get distracted and forget that you are on there to buy children’s clothing.

Look for booths that aren’t covered in dust and dirt. Look for ones that have their clothing neatly folded or on hangers and somewhat organized. Avoid booths that have clothes jumbled in dusty boxes. Likely, these clothes have been sitting for some time, and they may have unseen damage due to bugs or water.

Never buy any clothing that you can’t see. You should always inspect the clothing from the inside out. If the clothes appear worn, dirty, damaged, stained, or contains repaired holes, then don’t buy them. Move onto another booth. The deals simply aren’t worth it. You are looking for quality over a large amount of things that ultimately can’t be worn.

Pick a few pieces of clothing instead of one or two. Usually, you can get a better deal on grouped clothes rather than trying to buy them separately.

Don’t be afraid to haggle. The owners are usually more concerned about making the sale rather than getting the best price. If the owners won’t haggle, or they refuse to lower their price, simply walk away. The clothes aren’t a deal then.

The flea market is also a good place to look for “retro” styles for children who are into that type of look. You won’t go broke trying to buy these pieces at some high-priced boutique store.

The flea market has a lot of bargains available on kid’s clothing. The biggest thing you need to keep in mind is to be super critical about each piece of clothing that you intend on buying. After all, they have to last until the next growth spurt.

Does this type of shopping sound fun? It is! I learned a long time ago, that some of the best prices on merchandise can be found not at the mall, but at local benefit sales and company outlet stores. Why not do some of your shopping at one of these types of places to find great deals on children’s items for the holidays and for birthdays?

The first company mentioned is Patch Products located in Beloit, Wisconsin. According to their company website, games such as “… Farkle, Buzzword®, 5 Second Rule®, Bed Bugs™, Wooly Willy®…Farkle Frenzy™, Love It! Hate It! ™, Tales to Play®, Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere™ Design ‘N’ Doodle™…” are available at their sale. There are also “…classroom products including pocket charts, flash card sets, table charts, language, numbers and pattern sets.”

Because the company understands they are part of their community, the profits from the sale go back to the locals. Who then use the funds”…to improve the grounds and facilities of Preservation Park for everyone to enjoy.”

The next company, American Girl, also hosts a yearly benefit sale. (You may know them from their gorgeous dolls that represent different periods in history, or from the special order dolls that you can purchase with features that resemble your own child!) Company information explains, “Each year, American Girl donates seconds and returned merchandise to the Madison (Wisconsin) Children’s Museum, whose volunteers refurbish the products for an annual sale. Since American Girl initiated this unique partnership in 1988, the Annual Benefit Sale has raised more than $18 million and attracted more than 140,000 shoppers from around the country.” Next year’s sale will be July 21 and 22, and those interested should register now!

Swiss Colony, located in Monroe, Wisconsin, also offers great shopping, not at an annual sale but all year long. This company operates an outlet store located in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin. People come from miles around to snap up delicious treats, home décor items, and even children’s novelty items. Each holiday season I make the 45 minute drive to buy stocking stuffers, as well as boxes of petit fours (delicious mini layer cakes covered in a variety of sweet coatings). Some years they even have succulent Christmas hams available as well. During the summer, I visit to snap up a variety of Wisconsin cheeses.

As you can see, shopping away from the mall can be both fun and economical. By finding company benefit sales and company outlet stores, you will be able to find children’s items at blow out prices. Plus you will have a lot of fun to boot! Do a quick search of your local manufacturers to determine opportunities in your part of the country.

Take a few moments, and think about what your child will need for next summer. Here’s where discipline comes in; even though you’re thinking about back to school clothes and supplies, a savvy shopper thinks ahead to save money. Also think about the place you plan to store your bargains. You will need to designate a spot in a closet or in the basement for items that will be stored for up to eight months. Remember, you want them out of the way, yet you don’t want them to be so hidden that you forget about them!

Here’s a sampling of what deals to snap up now for your children to enjoy next summer.

1. Beach Wear

If this year’s beach towels seem worn out, buy new ones for next year. You’ll be surprised at how low the prices go on them come late August. In addition, since you can pretty accurately anticipate what your child’s size will be next year, buy swim suits at rock bottom prices. Finally, snap up flip flops. These can be found for as little as .50 cents this time of year, and there’s still a great selection.

2. Summer Toys

Sidewalk chalk, ball sets, jump ropes, bubbles, selected board games, and the like are a steal right now. If your family celebrates Easter with baskets, stock up on these items to use instead of just having candy. Pool toys left sitting on the shelves this time of year can also be bought for cents on the dollar. If you own a pool, or even if you hit the beach often during the hot months, buy some new water toys now.

3. Clothing

Buying clothing almost one year in advance may seem daunting, but doing so will save your family big bucks. Like swim suits, you will have to guess what size your child will be next summer; therefore, if you are afraid to estimate the size of shorts and tops your child will need, why not start with nightgowns and sleep shorts? Most young children will grow at least one size over the winter, so opt for sizes at least one size bigger than your child is at this moment. Summer weight socks can easily be purchased ahead as well, since these fit a range of sizes. (Sometimes clothing is so cheap, you may wish to buy a few items to donate to local charities).

4. Accessories

Look for umbrellas, summer totes, and jewelry to round out your children’s shopping spree. We all know how children tend to lose umbrellas, or how they break the spokes at the worst times, so stock up on a few to have on hand. In addition, beach totes come in a rainbow of colors and sizes, so consider buying one for your daughter’s birthday next spring. Finally, grab some summer jewelry to use as part of birthday party gift bags next spring or summer.

How, then, can both your teenager and you be happy after back to school shopping is complete? You may want to give one or more of these tips a try:

1. Set a clothing allowance limit.
The dollar amount you give your child for school clothes is up to you. The important component is letting your teen decide what to buy with the money. This is a win – win situation. Your child will learn that money only goes so far, and you will not be sucked into spending more than you can afford. In addition, a teen who buys only one or two expensive items has to live with the consequences of “having nothing to wear!”

2. Shop online.
Some items can be purchased easily online, including shoes and backpacks. During this time of year, many web sites also offer free shipping. If you live in a part of the country that doesn’t have a lot of stores, going online is a quick way to compare prices…and to save gas. One site I’ve had good luck with is bizrate.com. Most recently I purchased a pair of back to school shoes my daughter wanted, and I saved at least $10.00 by doing a bizrate search.

3. Take advantage of store merchandise credit offers.
An office supply store near my home gives merchandise credits, up to $10.00 per month, for used ink cartridges. During the months of July and August, I plan to use the $20.00 I earn in credits to obtain necessities for school, such as notebook paper, folders, pens, and pencils.

4. Bring out last year’s backpack.
Did you know that many backpacks can be washed? Older children may agree to use a backpack another year if you can guarantee you will be able to freshen it. This doesn’t work for all backpacks, but it does on many brands. (A side note about backpacks is that you can purchase them at the end of the school year for a minimal price. As with all types of shopping, if you think ahead, you can save a lot of money by buying the season before).

5. Consider buying “staple” clothes at discount stores.
Socks don’t really “matter” to my teen daughters, so I am able to purchase them at Dollar General for a fraction of the price they would cost at an upscale department store. In addition, my son accepts boxer briefs from Target, as he concedes “no one will see them.”

Back to school shopping for teens can be expensive (and difficult), but with these tips, maybe it won’t be so bad!

Read this small list to help prepare your family for stylish start to a new year!

1- Check Your School’s Dress Code

Back in the day, school uniforms used to be strictly for children that were in private or parochial schools, but these days, many public school children can be found wearing red polos and khaki shorts.  Does your school have uniform rules? Check with them first before you start shopping. If your child’s school doesn’t have a uniform policy, be sure to check their dress code rules.

2- Buy Comfortable Shoes

Most schools require the students to wear simple black loafers or dress shoes with a closed toe. Once again, it’s a good idea to consult the uniform or dress code prior to buying the footwear.  If you can, you might try buying two pairs just in case your child should wear out or lose a pair.

3- Keep Clothes Casual

If your child isn’t required to wear uniforms, you may wonder what clothes and accessories  would be appropriate for school. Remember that causal is the way to go, especially for kids who like to move around a lot. You can’t go wrong with several pairs of jeans and a few cotton tops/tees/tanks. If you have a daughter, you can buy her a few skirts or dresses too. When you’re shopping for clothes, be sure to look for items made of  simple cotton and/or polyester. Save the dressier looking pieces for weekends or special occasions.

Anna is one lucky girl. She has parents who have the means to buy her necessities and then some, and she has aunts who are excited to spoil her, as well as a large extended network of family and friends who are chomping at the bit to spoil her as well. Wow! What a problem to have, right?

Maybe you know a baby in a similar situation? I think I will be an awesome Godmother, but I also want to buy her presents that will be used, and or valued. I’ve thought a lot about it, and the following are strategies I plan to employ. Maybe you can use a few of them as well.

1. Personalize

I learned this trick a long time ago. If you personalize gifts with the child’s name or initials, the end result is always positive. Ideas include: personalized story books, initialed blankets, and small wooden chairs with baby’s name on the back. Of course, as the child grows, you can keep the tradition going with personalized religious, music, dance items and/or elegant stationery. (Yes, it is still good manners to send snail mail once in a while!)

2.  Educational Toys

You might not think it’s fun to buy educational toys, but it is!  Great examples are: books, wooden blocks, stacking cups, and soft dolls with buttons, snaps and zippers. Believe me; these types of toys will keep a child interested, while at the same time teaching them valuable skills.

3. Theme Clothes

What I mean here is that although baby may be getting tons of cute outfits, has anyone thought of buying a patriotic sun dress or a short set for the 4^th of July or a tutu for the toddler to wear while dancing? Also, you may want to snap up costumes after Halloween, and give older child four or five costumes in a “trunk” together with shoes, hats, gloves, scarves, and similar items so he/she can play dress up.

4. Collectibles

You can consult with the baby’s mom and/or dad to establish a collection for baby. Since I am now Anna’s Godmother, I plan to ask if I can begin an angel collection for her. In addition, stores such as Hallmark have great ideas for beginning collections.  Collections do not have to cost a lot of money either. My son has a collection of arrowheads that his grandfather found…what a great investment in history, as well as a great memory of grandpa.

5. Donations

If the baby you love truly has everything, maybe you want to consider a donation to a worthy agency in his or her name. Since Anna’s grandmother died at a young age from cancer, I plan to give the American Cancer Society in her name.

The reason is simple – safety. Having worked in the health field for almost 20 years, I have learned that car seats and cribs present special concerns for parents. Curious? If so, read on.

Car Seats

Because car crashes are the leading cause of death in children ages 3 – 14, correct use of car seats is of the utmost importance. The following are general guidelines for car safety for children from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• Select a car seat based on your child’s age, height, and weight.
• Keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as your child fits the seat’s height and weight requirements.

So, how does this information relate to garage sales? Well, many times new parents will think they are getting a great deal on a car seat at a garage sale, but the opposite may be true. First, the seat purchased may not fit his or her child properly. Also, many times directions on how to install the car seat are missing. These are needed to make sure the seat is secured in such a way as to be effective during a crash. Finally, car seats are regularly recalled by manufacturers. For these reasons, it is best to purchase a car seat new, and to have it properly installed by a certified car seat safety technician. (Your local health department and/or fire department can many times assist with helping you find a technician).

Cribs

A recent report from FOX News claims 10,000 children are injured in crib/playpen accidents per year. Scary, right!?

When you put your baby down for a nap or for the night, you want to make sure that the crib he or she sleeps in is safe. There are many potential hazards in cribs, from toxic paint to faulty side mechanisms. Especially deadly can be the amount of space between the slats on the side. You might not know it, but many children have died in cribs that did not meet safety standards.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission states that there should be no missing or broken screws or brackets on the crib, the crib slats should have no more than 2 3/8 inches between them (about the size of a soda can), there should be no corner posts where a baby’s clothing could catch, and there should not be any cutouts in the head board. In addition, the mattress needs to fit well with no gaps.

Your baby is precious. That is why I would never recommend purchasing a crib from a garage sale. You want one that is new and that meets all current safety standards.

When children learn that “small is more,” it can be a highly empowering lesson that goes beyond counting coins.  For example, a small sized person is capable of great things, and a smaller sized plate can be healthier than a bigger (loaded) plate.  A small dog can bring as much enjoyment as a bigger dog, and a small home can contain as much happiness as a sprawling mansion.

One of the lessons that we are learning is to live within our means to become financially stable.  Our former mentality that “bigger is better” has moved to “right sizing” our lifestyles.  The valuable lesson for our children is that we can appreciate the higher value of having something smaller.  Money is an abstract concept that is becoming more concrete even in our adult lives.

“Small is more” is a great money lesson for children and adults – beyond the value of coins!

Candi Sparks is the author of  “Can I Have Some Money?” the children’s money book series and is a financial literacy consultant.  Her books are available on amazon.com and other e commerce websites.  She is on FaceBook and Twitter (Candi Sparks, author)

School supplies are the most important item, of course (yes, I know the kids think it’s clothes — we’ll get to them later). You may have been given a list of things your child supposedly needs. See how much of it you already have — after all, it’s rare for a student to wear out a geometry set in a year. Old folders and binders can be used until they fall apart, and you probably have some looseleaf paper left.

The year we raised my son’s allowance and told him to buy his own supplies from now on, he found that — ta da! — he already had everything he needed. If your child’s not old enough for this, give him/her a set amount of money to buy supplies, saying he/she can keep any money that’s left over. This turns kids suddenly frugal.

Your child probably also has a list of clothes he/she supposedly needs. If he/she’s starting at a new school, however, the list is likely not realistic. Try to persuade kids to wear neutral outfits, like jeans and tee shirts, until they get a feel for what others are wearing. The jeans and tees can still be new, of course. When you’re ready to shop for the other new clothes, there’ll be more on sale.

Lunches are one area where it’s good to splurge — though you may not have to. Lots of the fancier lunch items go on sale this time of year. If not, get some anyway, to ease your child’s transition back to school.

And that’s what it’s all about — transition with ease.

To start , I have a little information on pre-ordering.  It is generally only offered on games that are expected to do very well, like the Halo and Call of Duty series.  Games with smaller sales predictions may chose not offer pre-ordering and even if they do, stores may not offer it.  There are some pros and cons.  First, the pros:

• If the game is popular, it could be sold out, so pre-ordering it guarantees you a copy.  This means not sitting in the record setting premier of a new game, aka Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. On top of that, the price to guarantee a copy is usually the same as the price to buy the game normally.
• Sometimes, pre-ordering a game can get you certain features that aren’t in the ordinary copy. For example, I get map packs for free in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Now, the bad with the good, the cons:

• When you pre-order a game, they normally make you lay a five or ten dollar deposit down so they know you will buy it.  That means that you choosing not to buy the game because of you not liking it or having second thoughts results in you losing some moolah.
• When you pre-order a game, it has not been released yet (obviously!), so there may be no or few reviews.  That means you are pre-ordering a game that could have good public relations people (good PR=good hype) but could actually stink like month old fish.  This means you could go pick it up and have it be bad or not get it because of reviews and lose your deposit.
• Sometimes, a game will cost more to pre-order, although that is not normal.
• Finally, if you are overly leftist, you may not want to pre-order, as your deposit gives the capitalist corporations money to gain interest on (gasp!).

It may seem like the cons outweigh the pros, but sometimes being able to get a game without waiting or hearing the dreaded “sold out” is worth all the risk. Hopefully, you, my reader, use my advice well, and don’t spend too eagerly on games.

Print Out Lists: Go on the school’s official website and print out the dress codes and supplies list. Sit down and talk with your child about what they already have and what they need. If they still have last year’s notebooks or a spare box of unused pencils, check that off the list. Only buy what you need.

Sign Up For Store Emails: Do you have a favorite store or two that you regularly shop for clothes? If the answer is yes, sign up for sale emails from that one particular store to keep up with the latest deals.

Take Advantage Of Bargain Uniforms: Many public schools mandate that the students must wear uniforms which generally require preppy basics like polo shirts and khaki dress pants. The good news is that almost all apparel stores sell the items and you can buy cheap (and chic) versions at Target or Macy’s.

Don’t Buy Everything At One Store: Browse several stores before you buy. Make sure that you’re getting the lowest cost on everything, and oftentimes that means shopping several stores in one day.

Bring Your Child: You don’t want to be hassled with last minute returns, so do yourself a big favor and bring your child to try on uniforms and footwear before you purchase them. And do hang on to your receipts, just in case!

After raising one boy to adulthood — I’m still working on another — I have some tips for clothes shopping with one:

• Do it quickly. Males are wired for hunting, not gathering. They may also have trouble filtering out the background sounds in a busy place. Either way, they tend not to enjoy shopping, so get him in and out as fast as possible.
• Give him some incentive: Promise to go by the games store or whatever AFTER his new clothes are bought.
• Don’t try for the perfect look. He probably doesn’t care about it either. Settle for something that’s decent and suits the purpose it’s bought for. It should also fit, but . . .
• Don’t worry about a perfect fit, as long as it’s not too small. Anything can be shortened — if you use iron-on tape, you don’t even have to sew. If trying the clothes on would wear out the boy’s patience, skip it. Shoes, of course, are the exception.
• Give him choices. A whole rack of shirts can be so overwhelming he doesn’t even want to look through them. Grab a couple and ask him to pick out one.
• Revisit clothes he’s said he didn’t like — they may look better after he’s seen the other merchandise.
• Finally, before you head to the games store, get him something he actually wants. Just don’t be surprised if it’s a hat like the ones his grandfather used to wear before the Beatles were famous.  Yes, fedoras are back.

The response is often, “Can you take me and so-and-so to the mall?” Then, after 45 minutes in cross-town traffic, during which you are blatantly ignored by two or more teens, each with a music player earbud in one ear, and a cell phone on
the other, you are instructed to just drop them off around the corner. I was fortunate in that respect; my daughters never asked me not to go places with them. In fact, I was often invited.

Here are some tips to help you survive being “malled”:
1. Dress “adult casual”. Kids don’t want to be seen with a parent in geezer-wear, but avoid trying to dress too hip or you will be accused of being a poser. Jeans and a t-shirt are generally a safe combination.
2. Don’t tune out the chatter. Listening to teens babble on about who’s hot and what’s cool can be mind-numbing, and since they often all talk at once it requires great multi-tasking ability, but they will talk to you at some point and if you miss it they will remind you daily, from then on, how you NEVER listen to them.
3. Offer teen-only time. If they express a desire to go to the arcade or the newest teen-trendy retailer, visit a nearby store you like – or treat yourself to a beverage at the food court – and instruct them to meet you there when they are done.

So, if ever you are one of the few parents privileged enough to be seen anywhere with your teens, a day at the mall with them can not only be survived, but enjoyed.

Sam: First, parents should ask their tweens where they want to shop. Once you get to the store, give them a bit of breathing room, and let them wonder off to look at stuff.  If you always are breathing down their neck, they may not buy what they want to buy.  They may feel like they can buy only what you suggest.

Michele: I agree that tweens need some space.  However, as a parent, I have two disagreements with your statement.  One, I may think that a piece of clothing you chose is not appropriate.  Two, you may choose an item that costs more than I am willing to spend.

Sam: I completely agree.  Kids should check with their parents before they go to the cash register.  If your parents don’t like it, you would be embarrassed to learn this in front of the cashier.

Michele: Seems like a fair plan.  Room for the tween to choose.  Veto power for the parent.

Sam: Second, parents, when your kids go to the dressing room to try on an item, don’t go into the actual dressing room with them.  Wait outside because if your kid thinks it’s ok and fits, she will come out to show it to you.

Michele: We really don’t want to be cramped in a dressing room with you anyway.  So, as long as you show us the item, we are fine with waiting outside.

Sam: Before you go to the cash register, discuss the price.  If your budget is fifty dollars and your child wants to buy a jacket that is fifty dollars, talk with them.  Explain that he could get three shirts on sale for that price or just one jacket.

Michele: Yes, it is important to learn about budgets.  Sometimes it is worth getting only one item because it is something special, and other times it is better to get more items.

Put the Internet to good use by searching for bargains. Begin your quest by using popular search engines, such as Google and Yahoo. For example, if you are looking for toddler toys for girls type in such things as “girl toddler toys” or “girl toys two year olds”. Keep looking until you find websites that suit your needs.

Research toys before you buy them. You need to make sure a toy is safe before you go ahead and buy it for your child. Web sites that can help you with this include www.toysafety.net or www.cspc.gov.

When looking for toy bargains look to stores that are engaged in a healthy competition with other stores. Check out the selection of toys at the websites of Wal-Mart and Target. Competition in this way helps to keep prices on toys as low as possible. Other online venues that are excellent shopping spots for toys for your little ones include Amazon.com, KBToys and Toys R US.

You comparison shop in the offline world and so should you in the online world. Visit as many online stores as you wish, and compare prices to find the lowest. Bear in mind that prices will vary from one online site to another.

Big shopping chains, such as Kmart and Wal-Mart, often have toys selling for bargain prices but do not discount smaller toy websites too quickly, as smaller sellers often have a lower profit margin, which means that their prices are also lower. As you compare and ponder the toys available at the sites, consider what you would have to pay in shipping charges. This is a part of the overall cost of the items.

Always validate information on a toy that you see advertised at a web site. Check the availability of a toy before you order it. Do not just order and then wait- do the necessary checking to avoid disappointment (for both yourself and your child!).

In any case, the stores already have realized what costumes are hot this year, so if you have not bought a costume yet and want to be unique, try not to draw ideas from the following trends .

First on the list is Micheal Jackson. With the death of this star happening this year, there is bound to be some hardcore wannabe moonwalkers this October 31st. Another popular costume that is based on a celebrity is a Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana costume (whichever you prefer). Along the same lines of famous people, we definitely are going to see who the Twilight fans are this year. Dressing up like Edward Cullen and Bella Swan is not going to be popular just based on the fact that the movies and the books have been so popular but also because their costumes are so simple to make! You probably would not even have to go out and buy something. Sticking with the movie theme, Harry Potter characters are bound to run amuck this year. However, even though the latest Harry Potter came out fairly recently, those costumes have typically been extremely popular in the past as well.

I personally think that the costume that we will be seeing the most of are Zombie costumes. With this new ridiculous spike in interest in all of these vampires, zombies, and other creepy “people”, I have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot of interesting faces. I have already seen Boston being invaded by Zombies on random days of the year, so  I am a little scared to see what it will look like on Halloween.