A lesson in spending: Stressed about back-to-school spending? Here's how to save money on expenses this year

From couponing to keeping a watchful eye for upcoming sales, parents in the Cape Girardeau area have developed several strategies for saving money while purchasing back-to-school supplies.

With students heading back to classrooms this month comes the looming cost of new clothes, pencils, backpacks and other needed materials. For parents with multiple children in school, the amount spent can quickly pile up.

Many parents complete their shopping during the state's annual tax-free weekend, set for Aug. 7 through 9 this year. Certain purchases will be exempt from the state's 4.225-percent sales tax. Cape Girardeau County, which charges a 1 percent sales tax, is participating in the tax-free holiday, but the city of Cape Girardeau, which charges a 2.75 percent sales tax, opted out.

However, Ashley Probst, a mother of four in Cape Girardeau, recommends parents don't wait until tax-free weekend to buy clothes, but instead should always keep an eye out for good deals by checking websites and signing up for email alerts from retailers.

"This helps ensure that nine times out of 10, I always have a coupon for some amount off," she says.

Stack of books and money on school desk

Probst says she also shops end-of-season sales for children's clothes. And as for school supplies, the challenge can be going to several stores to get the best deal on different items.

"So, since I'm buying for three, I just find the place that had the best selection and go with it," she says. "I also shop and compare online, too, before I go anywhere."

Melinda Arends, a mother of two in Jackson, says she coupons for school supplies.

"You can get mechanical pencils, ink pens and notebooks for free, or even make money on them," she says. "Look at sale ads weekly to see which stores are having them on sale. I ended up with so many free school supplies last year between Wal-Mart, Dollar General and Schnucks that I was able to donate to my church and the preschool."

If you end up with extra coupons, she says, buy for the following year and store the supplies.

desks in row in classroom

"It's an easy way to make money on the items and allows you to get other things you may still need," she says.

Some parents say they buy in bulk, then divide the cost with other parents while splitting the supplies. And when it comes to purchasing shoes, many recommend going to stores that have buy-one get-one sales.

Ashley Dangbar, a mother of six in Cape Girardeau, says Old Navy usually sells $5 polos before school starts, and she buys as many as she can.

"I also shop the tax-free weekend for the more expensive things that I know won't (go on) clearance or discount before I need them," she says.

Dangbar adds that buying cheaper items at discount stores isn't always the best way to go.

Piggy bank and money in classroom

"It might be cheap at the time, but it doesn't last long," she says. "So, I tend to buy the better brands to ensure a longer life."

Merideth Pobst, a mother of two in Jackson and director of the Jackson School District's Foundation, says it's difficult to buy clothing too far in advance for her daughters, because they grow so quickly. So, she tries to look for advertisements to find the best deal.

"I also stick to classic pieces of clothing for my girls and mix fun accessories with them," she says. "Accessories are fun, they add personality and style to their clothing, but they are oftentimes significantly cheaper."