Community Corner
Savvy Saver: Back-to-School Savings on Shoes
Do you have the back-to-school shopping blues? Fret no more! Here are great ways to save on your kids' school shoes.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly kids grow out of their shoes, or simply wear them out. By the end of summer, shoe replacement is more of a necessity than a desire. But in some cases, freshening up shoes that still fit can extend their lifespan.
Either way, here are some easy ways to save on back-to-school shoes:
- Hit the local outlets. For example, Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Limerick offers 26 name-brand shoe retailers, such as Adidas, Bass, Converse, Crocs, Merrell, Skechers and Stride Rite Keds Sperry. My son found a great pair of Adidas sneakers here for just $10. For kicks, we also bought him a pair of Merrell hiking shoes, just because they were such an unbelievable price ($12). He’s set through the spring!
- Restore old sneakers. If your kids’ sneakers still fit, but look a little grungy from playing all summer, just use this tip to clean them up to look like new. Simply apply a dab of toothpaste (make sure to use original 'paste' and not 'gel') on a scrub brush, toothbrush or steel wool, and gently rub it over soiled areas of the shoes. You’ll be amazed at how quickly old, tired sneakers can become like new again!
- Watch for back-to-school shoe sales. Places like Stride Rite and Famous Footwear often offer specials like “Buy One Pair, Get the Second Pair Free,” and you can stock up on new school shoes for the whole family at just a fraction of what you might have otherwise spent.
- Buy a pair for each child, or one for each season. If you have two or more children, you can kill two birds with one stone by stocking up on new shoes for everyone. If you’ve got a single child, buy a pair of everyday school shoes and a pair of shoes that are better suited to the winter months.
- Rotate their shoes. One website actually recommends starting the year with two sets of new shoes, so they last longer throughout the year. By rotating which shoes your child wears, all of their shoes will last longer into the school year, which ultimately saves you money in the long run.
- Host a shoe swap. Kids grow at varying rates. Some grow so fast their shoes barely show wear. Get together with other parents who have kids similar in age to yours and see what you come up with. You might be surprised at how many useable shoes will be floating around within your circle of friends.