Back to School Decluttering: How to Save Money Before You Shop

Last week I was talking with some friends about back-to-school shopping, and as often happens when a group of moms gets together, the conversation quickly turned to clothes.

One friend talked about making sure her kids have something new to start the school year. Another focuses heavily on what her kids will wear for those first school pictures. Everyone had a slightly different approach.

Then they asked me how I handle back-to-school clothes in my house.

My answer? My kids have to go through their closets before we go shopping.

Every year, before we start buying clothes for the new school year, my three kids go through what they already have. We look at what fits, what doesn't, what they actually wear, what outfits they have, what they may be missing, and what they truly need.

This isn't a suggestion in our house. It's a requirement.

And honestly, my kids don't think it's unusual. They don't know any different.

But there's a bigger reason I do this: decluttering before you shop can save you money.

Know What You Already Own

Back-to-school shopping can get expensive quickly. Between clothing, shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies and everything else on the list, it's easy to start buying without taking inventory of what you already have.

Before you head to the store or start filling your online shopping cart, take some time to shop your own home first.

For clothing, have your kids try things on and sort them into a few simple categories:

• Fits and will be worn

• Doesn't fit

• Damaged or worn out

• Maybe

• Missing or needed

  
  

Once you know what you have, you can create a much more realistic shopping list.

You may discover that your child already has several pairs of jeans, plenty of shirts and multiple outfits that still work perfectly well.

That means you don't need to buy more simply because it's back-to-school season.

Don't Buy for the Season You Haven't Reached Yet

This is something I've learned especially with my twins.

They're growing quickly, so I'm hesitant to buy an entire fall wardrobe before the weather changes. They may need different clothing by the time cooler temperatures arrive, and there's no reason to spend money now on clothes that may not fit a few months from now.

Instead, I focus on what they actually need to start the school year and wait on some purchases until I know what will fit and what the weather will look like.

The same thinking applies to shoes.

We do make sure our kids have enough shoes to start the school year because they need variety. Playing outside, rainy days and everyday wear can mean having more than one pair makes sense.

But even then, the goal isn't to buy just because something is new. It's to identify what they actually need.

Your Kids Don't Need a Completely New Wardrobe

There can be a lot of pressure around the start of a new school year.

New grade. New teacher. New supplies. New clothes.

But starting a new school year doesn't mean everything your child owns needs to be new. Sometimes a few new pieces are all they need to fill the gaps in what they already have.

And when you involve your kids in the process, you're also teaching them an important skill: how to recognize what they have, what they need and what they can let go of.

That's a lesson that goes well beyond back-to-school shopping. I call it, back-to-school decluttering!

Don't Forget the Rest of the House for Back-To-School Decluttering

Clothing is an easy place to start, but the same principle applies throughout your home.

Before buying:

School supplies: Check your existing drawers, cabinets and supply bins. You may already have unopened notebooks, folders, pencils, markers, headphones or other supplies.

Backpacks and lunch gear: Does last year's backpack still work? Do you already have lunch containers, water bottles or reusable bags? The brand you choose can make a difference, too. We bought backpacks and lunchboxes for the boys when they were 4 years old, and eight years later, we've only had to replace one backpack and one lunchbox!

Sports and activity equipment: Before buying something new for the upcoming season, check what is already stored in the garage, mudroom or closets.

Study supplies: Take inventory of what your child already has at their desk or homework station before buying more.

Clothing and shoes: Sort first. Shop second.

The goal isn't to avoid buying anything. It's to buy intentionally.

Decluttering Helps You See What You Really Need

One of the biggest benefits of decluttering is that it gives you visibility.

When everything is mixed together, it's difficult to know what you own. You may think your child needs another sweatshirt because you can't find the ones they already have. You may buy more school supplies because you don't realize you have a drawer full of them.

When things are sorted, organized and easy to see, your shopping decisions become much easier.

You can stop buying based on what you think you need and start buying based on what you actually need.

And that can make a meaningful difference in your back-to-school spending.

A Simple Back-to-School Challenge

Before you go shopping, pick one category and declutter it first.

Start with your child's closet.

Pull everything out or work through it section by section. Try things on. Get rid of what no longer fits or is no longer being worn. Then take a look at what's left.

What do you actually need?

Make your shopping list from there.

You might be surprised by how much money you can save simply by knowing what you already own.

At Decluttered™, we believe organizing isn't about getting rid of everything or creating a picture-perfect home. It's about creating systems that help you use what you have, make everyday life easier and make more intentional decisions. Sometimes, the best place to start your back-to-school shopping is your own home.

Need help getting your home ready for the school year?

If clutter is making everyday routines harder, Decluttered can help you create systems that work for your family's needs. Schedule a free virtual consultation to learn more about our full-service organizing solutions.