Back to school savings ideas

Just thought I'd share some of my Back to school shopping savings:

I have two daughters, ages 9 and 5. They wanted to go to Justice (which used to be Limited Too). So, we went. If you sign up for their cattzine, you'll get 40% off coupons a lot which is good for anything in the entire store including clearance. And sometimes their clearance stuff will be like $2.99!! You just have to check periodically. Anyway, back to my story. The girls tried on numerous outfits and finally chose 7 outfits a piece with headbands and fingerless gloves (yes...the 80's are back ya'll....I vividly remembering buying my white lace fingerless glove at CATO back in the day). So, I get to the checkout and the lady says $286--yikes!! I give her my 40% off card and now it's $177--yeah!!. And in turn she gives me $120 in Justice bucks. The trick to these bucks is using them!!! If you keep up with it you'll have a good savings in the end. For example I spend $177, if I use the $120 bucks....I only REALLy spend $57...see? To use the bucks, you do have to spend a certain amount but it's a 50% savings. And you can use them online. www.shopjustice.com And they really do have cute little clothes.

My other bright idea was going to Plato's Closet. I've always wanted to go and since I have a 14 year old son I thought now would be the best time to go. He gathered some things from his closet and off we went. They have a Plato's Closet in the Beechwood Shopping Center in Athens and there's one at the Mall of Georgia beside DSW shoes near the Ross and Chuck E Cheese across from the Mall itself. Anyway-they seem to have pretty good deals. Had some trouble selling the clothes because we went around 7pm and they wouldn't have our credit ready until the next day. But my son did find a couple of DC skater shirts for $4 and a $60 pair of skater pants for $14 and a really nice $80 hoodie for $14. This is the place to go if your kid has to have those namebrands but you don't have the money! They even have adult sizes up to 18/20 in women's and 42 in mens! If you sign up on their website you'll get a $5 off of a $25 purchase.

We also hit up Rugged Whse. If you haven't been there it's an experience as well. They have one in Athens at the Old Navy/Chuck E CHeese/Bed, Bath and Beyond shopping center. The also have one at the Mall of GA beside Pet Smart where the old Toys R Us used to be. Anyway, they are kind of like a clearance store with namebrand clothes. They have different things at different times. They have shoes, clothes, some home decor, purses, scrubs, etc. Last night we got my son some Volcom shirts (skater shirts that usually are $24.50) for $7.99. They had a lot of funny Hot Topic tees for $4.99. They had Justice clothes for $2-4.99 as well as Limited Too clothing. Nike tennis shoes for $24.99.

Lastly, Friday we'll probably be hitting the mall along with everyone else. It's TAX FREE too so take advantage!!