by Fred Remick
My children want designer everything for going back to school— tennis shoes, backpacks, clothes, etc. How can I get them back-to-school clothes and gear they will like without going broke?
There are a number of ways to save money on your children’s clothing.
- Look for designer clothing on sale at the end of each season. For example, buy clothing at the end of summer for next summer. You’ll have to estimate your child’s size a year in advance.
- Buy from consignment shops and thrift stores. No one will know that those designer jeans were worn by someone else first.
- Check out e-bay online and swap clubs.
For more money saving ideas visit todaysparent.com, stretcher.com and fatherville.com.
One of the best things you can do is to use back-to-school buying as an opportunity to teach your child about handling money. To be most effective, tailor your training to your child’s developmental age and level of understanding. Consider the lessons you want them to learn, such as:
- Life is about choices. You can have almost anything you want as long as you are willing to sacrifice something else. If you give a teenager $500 to spend on clothing, and they spend $200 of it on the hottest sports shoes, then they’ll have less to spend on other items. The child’s age should determine how much latitude the parent gives them to choose their clothing. With younger children, you select several outfits and let the child choose from those.
- Understanding that money is a limited resource and that when you use it, it’s gone. Often, college students accrue substantial credit card debt because they haven’t learned this.
- Accepting the consequences of their actions. It’s important that you don’t rescue them by shelling out more money when they realize they that they have to keep wearing last year’s clothing.
Other things to keep in mind: - Children have an innate need to belong. That need may show itself in inappropriate clothing choices for their age. “Sexy” clothing may force a child to grow up before they are emotionally ready to handle more mature interactions with older children. Let a kid be a kid as long as you can.
Come to an agreement with your spouse about the clothing you’ll let your children wear. - If you say “no,” mean it. Children quickly learn that badgering works. Stick to your guns.
- Give children experiences with those less fortunate.
- Help your children build strong selfesteem so they don’t need clothing to define themselves.
- Consider yourself. What messages are you sending your children by your example?
Fred Remick is a licensed marriage and family therapist at the Pastoral Institute.
