MyGreatDeals.com - Beauty & Health

DealMax (SM), a multi-tiered discount shopping program from Adaptive Marketing LLC®, knows that a big part of the excitement kids feel when beginning a new school year comes from getting all of the new things they need. The downside to this for parents, of course, is that buying new pens, books, backpacks, clothes and shoes can make the start of the school year a financial headache.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to supplement these costs, and Deal Max has put together a set of guidelines to get the most out of every dollar.

-- Never stop shopping. Always be on the lookout for sales on school supplies and clothes. Buy items when they're on sale, and store them away for when they're needed.

-- Shop out of season. Many of the best deals available relate to out-of-season items. Prices of school supplies often hit bottom around mid-summer, and winter items like jackets, snow pants or boots can be purchased during the spring at further-reduced rates.

-- Wait a second. Hold off on buying clothes for at least a few weeks into the school year. This will allow kids to get an idea of what sort of clothes they'll want, and help to avoid buying things they'll never wear.

-- Find an outlet. A great way to get the most bangs per buck; outlet stores generally have the lowest prices for new clothing. These days, designer brands may be available for as much as 20-70% off. Try going at peak sales times -- like the July 4 holiday -- to find the best deals.

-- Be thrifty. Check out a thrift shop for the best deals on clothing. Thrift shops are especially good options for purchasing expensive formal wear for children, who are likely to soon grow out of their size. Many shops only accept top-brand clothing in very good condition.

-- Anyone for swapping? Organize swap meets with neighbors, family and friends to recycle books, clothing and sports equipment.

-- Get online. If there isn't much in the way of thrift stores or swap meets in the area, try websites like eBay.com, Overstock.com or Craigslist.com for more deals on new and used items.

With these tips in mind, back-to-school shopping can be fun, easy and economical. By doing a little planning and keeping an eye out for sales, saving on back-to-school items is a snap. DealMax reminds shoppers to capitalize on all the best offers, many of which can be found at Deal Max.