It is that time of year again to start buying your school supplies. Is it brand name or no name products? Time to make your decisions and decide on which clothing and bags to buy.

Parents whose children are going to school for the first time could benefit from some helpful advice when deciding on which items to buy and where to shop. It is not so much of a problem if your children are going to grade school as you already have some experience.

These five tips will help you save money AND your sanity!

GET AN EARLY START

The best things go fast at the discount stores, so don't delay. Start your shopping early in order to find the best deals.

All of the items you need will be in the stores by August and don't forget that the dollar stores will be a good place to get all of your pens, paper and accessories.

Head to the office supply stores or stationers if you're starting late. Although they may not have the best prices, they'll probably have what you're looking for. Buying everything in one place can save you a lot of time.

BUY IN BULK

Club stores and other bulk retailers are great places to shop when you have other parents or college pals shopping with you.

Splitting cartons of pens, paper and other items will save you money, although they may not stock everything you need.

BUY THROUGH THE SCHOOL

Parents or classmates may be able to arrange for their school to purchase discounted supplies in bulk, sharing the reduced costs with everyone.

This will save you the hassle of shopping and dealing with complaints about color and brands as well as saving you money.

SEASONAL SALES

Now's the time to stock up on summer and sport related clothing. If your child will be taking part in after school activities like swimming or gymnastics you can get a great deal on their gear with end-of-season sales.

Keep your eyes open for clothing which has multi-season possibilities. A summer tank top can go under a winter sweater, cropped pants can be worn with boots and skirts can be matched with warm, comfy tights. With a little creativity, you can be both frugal and trendy as you transform warm weather styles into fashionable cool weather clothes.

Before buying the kids clothing check to see what dress codes are in operation at your school. Short skirts and bare shoulders is one rule to look out for.

CHOOSING A GOOD BAG

Be careful when choosing a school bag. Make sure it has padded shoulder straps and preferable a waist strap. Bag should not be carried below waist level to avoid possible injury.

Fashion conscious students may prefer hobo bags and slouchy purses but these are not suitable for heavy books. If you prefer this type of bag then make sure that you get one with a strap that crosses the body spreading the weight. Heavy books should be carried in a backpack making sure that it is worn properly and not slung over one shoulder.

Possibilities and excitement abounds in the new school year but don't get stressed out with back-to-school shopping.

Donna Brancheau has been teaching & tutoring in the San Diego area for 30 years. For insightful tutoring advice, visit her tutoring web site. Also, you can get unique copies of this article or other wonderful