Kids outgrow shoes quickly and may move up a size or two during the school year. Constantly replacing your children’s shoes can put a big dent in your wallet if you pay full retail price. Luckily there are lots of easy ways to save money on back to school shoes so you don’t have to spend a fortune on footwear for your family. Here are 5 ways to save boot-loads of money on shoes this year.
5 Smart Ways to Save on Back to School Shoes
Head to the Outlet Mall
Your local outlet mall is a great place to score savings on name-brand shoes. Many popular footwear companies such as Adidas, Nike, Vans, and Famous Footwear have factory outlet stores where you can get back to school shoes for up to 50% off or more.
Many outlet malls also offer coupon books for a small fee (usually around $5) that can net you additional savings. If you’re a AAA member, you may even be able to get the coupon book for free.
Shop at Discount Retailers
Don’t have an outlet mall in your area? You can still save money on back to school shoes by shopping in-store or online at discount retailers like 6pm, DSW, T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Nordstrom Rack.
Although the regular merchandise at discount stores is often a good price, don’t forget to check out the clearance section for additional savings. Keep an eye out for coupon codes and special promotions too.
For example, Nordstrom Rack has a quarterly sales event called Clear the Rack, allowing you to score even better deals. The next one should be happening around July 20th according to the Krazy Coupon Lady, which is just in time for back to school shopping. Many retailers also have special back to school sales throughout July and August, so be on the lookout.
Take Advantage of Tax-Free Weekends
Another smart way to save on back to school shoes is to take advantage of tax-free weekends. Many states suspend sales tax for a weekend in July or August to help families save money on necessities like school supplies, clothes, and shoes. Here’s a list of some of the states that have tax-free holidays during back to school shopping season:
Alabama – July 21-23
Florida – July 24th to August 6th
Mississippi – July 28-29
Tennessee – July 28-30
New Mexico, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and South Carolina – August 4-6
West Virginia – August 4-7
Iowa – August 4-5
Arkansas – August 5-6
Texas – August 11-13
Maryland – August 13-19
Connecticut – August 20-26
New Jersey – August 26th to September 4th
Keep in mind that every state has different rules about which types of school supplies are eligible and the maximum amount each item can cost. So make sure to do some research on your state’s rules before you go shopping.
Use Cash Back Apps
Cash back apps like Rakuten and Dollar Dig can help you earn rewards on footwear purchases for your kids. They partner with hundreds of major retailers so you can earn cash back when you shop at your favorite stores.
All you have to do is sign up to become a Rakuten or Dollar Dig member, which is totally free. Then make sure you shop through the cash back app’s portal so your purchase can be tracked and rewarded.
You can usually earn a couple percent back by using cash back apps. Plus, if you pay for your purchase with a rewards credit card, you can save even more on your children’s back to school shoes.
Buy Used Back to School Shoes
Buying gently used footwear is a good way to cut costs and help the environment by rescuing shoes from the landfill. If you’re wary of secondhand shoes, rest assured that experts say they’re safe to wear as long as they’re properly cleaned and deodorized.
You can pick up secondhand shoes at consignment and thrift stores, or arrange a footwear swap with local moms. Kids are always outgrowing shoes, so getting hand-me-downs from friends is a great money-saving hack.
Do you have any tips for saving money on back to school shoes and supplies? Share your favorite strategies in the comments below!
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