Money Fix: Saving on school spending

Looks like parents plan to spend less this year on back-to-school clothing and supplies. And a growing number is expecting to put off shopping until just before the school bells ring, according to a survey done for the National Retail Federation. Its president, Matthew Shay, says parents' first stop for clothes and supplies will likely be their kids' own closets. Here are other ways to save.

Compare. Online comparison shopping not only "benefits your wallet" but also saves time and energy, says Lynette Baker, director of marketing, Rethinking

Debt.org, a Rochester-based nonprofit community service agency with an office in Hauppauge. Parents might also team up with other moms and dads to seek out bulk bargains on supplies that they can divvy up.

Delay. While only a tiny percentage of parents in the back-to-school survey say they'll shop after school starts, Baker says in some cases a small delay on some items could be cost-effective. Not only are clothing and supplies still on sale, she says, but "once kids see what others are using and wearing, they always seem to have some new ideas about what they need."

Delegate. Some older kids could be ready for a lesson in value shopping. Baker says to consider presenting them with a couple of prepaid gift cards and a lesson in online comparison and then delegate all or part of the process to them. In such cases young people often "pay more attention to price tags," she says.

Learn more. Check Nrf.com for the federation's survey showing how much, on average, other parents expect to spend on clothing, supplies, electronics.