Back to school is an exciting time, but for parents, it can also be an expensive one. With back-to-school shopping for school supplies, clothes and other essentials, the bill adds up quickly. Visiting Community Family Thrift, a thrift store in South Florida, may just be the simple solution you’re looking for! Plus, you’re practicing sustainability by reducing waste and giving pre-loved items a second life. First, though, you need to know what to look for. Here’s a guide to thrift shopping for back-to-school items:
Clothing
Some of the most expensive items parents have to buy during the back-to-school season are clothes. Children grow fast, and their wardrobes struggle to keep up. They’ve probably already outgrown the clothes and shoes you bought for them just a few months ago! To save yourself a couple of dollars on school clothes, peruse the clothing section of the thrift store. You’ll find plenty of shirts, pants, shoes, belts and accessories to last the entire year without the hefty price tag. If your child grows out of them midway through the year, you can always make a trip back to the thrift store—it won’t be nearly as expensive as buying brand-new clothes!
Backpacks and Lunch Boxes
Thrift stores are a treasure trove of items like bookbags, lunch boxes and bags. As you prepare to send your child back to school, check to see if the thrift store has good-quality backpacks and lunchboxes. If your child is involved in sports or another afterschool activity, look for a bag they can use to carry their gear back and forth from home, school and events. Every time you visit the thrift store, you’ll find something different. This time, maybe you’ll find some bags and backpacks in fun colors and funky patterns!
Books
Books are an important part of a child’s education. While they’ll likely receive their textbooks directly from the school, thrift stores have an endless selection of books from every genre. Look at your child’s syllabus and check to see which books they’ll be reading for the year. See if you can find any of the titles at the thrift store.
Beyond what’s required for school, thrift stores have plenty of books covering different subjects, topics and skills. Having these books on hand can help your child deepen their understanding of what they’re learning at school and strengthen other important skills. Sometimes a little extra reading at home can make a big difference in school!
Kitchenware for School Lunches
While parents don’t often think of kitchenware as a back-to-school essential, it’s something to keep in mind. If your child brings their lunch to school, they’ll need plastic containers or a soup thermos to transport their meals. The thrift store has plenty of food storage containers and insulated thermoses to choose from. You may even be able to find containers with individual divided sections to keep their sandwich separate from their snacks.
Cutlery can also be helpful. Instead of using single-use plastic utensils, pack reusable plastic cutlery in your child’s lunch to be more eco-friendly. Getting them their own plastic set from the thrift store can help you avoid the frustration of lost metal utensils! You can also find reusable water bottles at the thrift store. Just like reusable plastic cutlery, reusable water bottles are more environmentally friendly. Plus, insulated bottles keep your child’s drink cold all day long!
Furniture
Thinking about what to send your child to school with is just as important as considering what your child will come home to. Many children benefit from having a dedicated study space at home to do their homework and work on projects. Thrift stores have no shortage of fairly priced desks and office chairs. You can also find desk lamps, organizers and decorations to personalize your child’s study space. Back to school is the perfect time to set up a study corner for your child, and it doesn’t have to break the bank!
These are just some of the items to keep an eye out for when back-to-school shopping at the thrift store. There are plenty more treasures waiting for you at Community Family Thrift. Save money this back-to-school season by visiting one of our South Florida locations. Plus, you’ll be supporting a good cause that benefits children of the local community. Come by and see us today!