KSAZ TV Fox — Arizona Morning - Back To School Clothes

The national average for buying grade school kids Back to School Clothes is about $300 per child. This includes all clothing and shoes.

(It's hard for us to imagine spending this much on our whole family!)

Pictured from left to right: Lauren (Abbey's best friend, Joe, Abbey, Diane Ryan, Annette, Steve, Roy and Becky. We're all standing inside one of our favorite thrift stores — Savers.

We took our kids (and one friend) shopping at Savers Thrift Department Store for an hour and a half of bargain hunting for back to school clothes. The results were stunning.

Each of the kids found several complete outfits in that time.Roy's outfit (L.L. Bean jeans and a Quicksilver Tee shirt) retailed for over $60 and was purchased for just $5. Everything you see the kids wearing in this photo were purchased at Savers. The most expensive outfit . . . just $12 for jeans, a top and a sweater. That's a real deal, but what makes it even better is that this whole trip didn't cost us (Annette and Steve) a penny.

That's right, the kids use their own money to buy their clothes. Our kids start paying for their own clothes at age 11. To learn more about this system read about our MoneySmart Kids Training Program.

Download your Free list of Arizona Thrift and Consignment Stores or visit TheThriftShopper.com where you can search by zip code for thrift stores in your area.

For more information about saving on kids clothes order our January 2006 back issue (Kid's Clothing Wars). Back issues cost $2 each.

Watch the video below: