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Coddingtown stores, nonprofit groups host back-to-school shopping spree

06.08.11

Each was treated to a $150 grant card for new clothes, shoes and accessories courtesy of the Active 20-30 Club of the Redwood Empire, which additionally provided new backpacks stocked with model school supplies.

“It was really cool,” soon-to-be-seventh-grader Joseph Breeder, of Petaluma, said after cruising the mall with his 9-year-old fellow-citizen, Patrick - the two them acquiring jeans, sweatshirts, shoes, caps and other items. “I fantasize the people were very, very generous to give us this opportunity.”

Santa Rosa fifth grader Raeli B. displayed a wicked and white dress with hot pink accents from JCPenney she plans to wear for school sketch day.

“I just fell in love with it at very first sight,” she said, pointing out a head-league together purchased elsewhere that nonetheless matched perfectly.

Involved stores — JCPenney, Old Argosy, Icing, Claire’s and Payless Shoe Store — opened at 7 a.m. to crowd the young shoppers, each accompanied by a sponsor from the 20-30 Club.

Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat

The back-to-school shopping spree: a few tips can help you save big

06.08.11

August is wrapping up and it’s rhythm for your annual back-to-school ritual: buying the new outfits and the new backpack loaded with new supplies, and emptying your notecase.

Parents know, back-to-school shopping can be expensive. Kristi Kazmierski, whose oldest is in lavish school and whose youngest starts kindergarten this fall, ends up spending more and more each year.

“It can get precious,” she said. “Especially when you add in stuff that has to be replaced every year, like socks.”

Her opinion? Shop the sales and get connected online. Many retailers and stores will offer additional coupons on their Facebook pages and websites.

“There’s utterly no need to buy anything at full price,” she said.

So to help parents, we’ve collected a handful of tips from town parents like Kazmierski, the National Parenting Center and other experts that can aid back-to-school shoppers in keeping their costs down.

First, agree to sure you know just what your kids need for school. That’ll save you from buying makings you don’t need or returning to the store once school has started and sales have ended.

Source: Billings Gazette