Well it’s that time of year again! My kids just finished their second week of school. I have to say, it’s good to be back! They need the structure of school and mama needs a break! The one thing that won’t be getting a break this time of year is our wallet. It seems like the kids grew like a weed this summer…which means shopping for back-to-school clothes is a must in this house. Continue reading to see how this back-to-school shopper handled things.
Back-To-School Shopper
Mom Central Consulting and T.J. Maxx/Marshalls conducted a survey asking 1,000 moms with at least one child in elementary school through high school about the timing, value and location of their back-to-school shopping habits. Here are the results of that survey:
Timing:
*The majority of the moms (60%) did their back-to-school shopping a few weeks early, while 25% of the moms surveyed said they waited until the last minute.
Which category do you fit into?
Location:
*About half the moms preferred shopping at 2-3 stores for all of their back-to-school shopping while 1/3 of the moms prefer the ‘one stop shop’ stores.
What about you, do you prefer the one stop shop or multiple stores to get all your shopping done?
Value:
*81% of the moms said that the rising cost of items (like gas, food, etc) really affected their back-to-school shopping budget this year.
Was your budget affected this year?
Back to School Budget
For me, my budget was severely affected this year. Not only by the rising cost of everything around us, but my husband was laid off. So that meant I had to really shop smart. For me, to shop smart means I need shop at multiple stores. ‘One stop shops’ don’t work that well for me. So my first place I go is T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. I know I can get a lot, if not all, of my back-to-school shopping done at one of those stores. If you aren’t familiar with T.J. Maxx or Marshalls…where have you been??? Those two stores sell name brand items at a fraction of the cost. And it’s always the newest fashions too! At T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, all of the designer items are ALWAYS 20-60% off suggested retail price! Whether you are looking for back-to-school items or items for you home, you can be rest assured that you are not only getting quality at T.J. Maxx and Marshals, but you are also getting supreme customer service.
Where I shopped
Thanks to Mom Central and T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, I was given a $50 gift card to go and find my back-to-school items. It was fun being a back-to-school shopper. As I drove to the store, I thought about what I was wanting to get. For my daughter I wanted to find some pants and a top to wear to school picture day. For my son I wanted to find shirts and a shirt for picture day. Unfortunately for Zachary, I wasn’t able to find much in his size, but I did find him a super cute (I’m sure he would love to hear me call what I bought him, ‘cute’) button up shirt for picture day. It’s a Ralph Lauren shirt that I paid $12.99 for. The suggest retail price on the shirt is $39.99! I say that was a steal of a deal! For my daughter it was much easier to find things for her, but that’s how it always seems to go for girls. I got her two Hello Kitty shirts, a pair of leggings, and a sweater vest for picture day. Totally I spent $26.00 on her items (most were on the clearance rack…I always shop the clearance rack first)!
Back to school Shopping Giveaway Time
I love that I still have money left on my gift card to pick up any other items I forgot to get them or maybe to get myself something one of these days. There’s a novel idea…me spend money on ME!
How would you like to enter the Mom Central giveaway for the chance to win 1 of 3 $100 gift cards to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls?!? Click HERE to enter!! The giveaway runs until September 23, 2011. Good luck!!!
Disclaimer: “I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and received a gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.”
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