Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert based in California, appeared on "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Sunday morning to share tips for cutting costs on back-to-school purchases.
"This is the most expensive back-to-school shopping season to date," noted co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy on Sunday morning.
America's parents will be shelling out over $34 billion for their students in kindergarten through high school, the program noted.
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Among the key tips that Woroch communicated: Skip the name brands.
For example, Staples, she said, has curated a group of items into a deal package for families.
The notebooks they offer are 35 cents each — compared to over $3 per notebook for name-brand items, said Woroch.
For families who do want to buy name brands — coupon sites are a wise idea, she said.
In terms of clothing, parents first need to go through their kids' wardrobe "and figure out what fits and what doesn't."
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Only at that point, she suggested, should people "then make your list."
But when it "comes to your basics," she advised going with store brands to save money.
Certain items from Walmart brands, for example, cost far less than items from brands such as Land's End, she pointed out.
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She also discussed swapping clothes with other parents.
A site called The Swoodle Society allows parents to "trade up" their kids' clothing.
They pack a bag with personal items from their family's closets that they no longer need or want, send off the bag — and will get credit for that.
They can then use that credit to buy different clothing for their kids that fits better and is more appropriate.
The items are "gently used" — and "some might [still] have the tags on them," she added.
For more smart tips — and to learn more about all of this — check out the video at the top of this article, or click here to access it.
