Buying School Shoes

There are thousands of helpful back-to-school shopping tips out there, but in this entry I want to focus specifically on shoes.

Buying school shoes can be one of the more contentious trips of the back-to-school shopping season. Style, price, brand, fit ... it all makes for a perfect storm between parent and child. Plus, it's just amazing how quickly kids grow out of shoes!  So here are a couple of ways to get more bang for your buck.

First, squeeze more mileage out of shoes by buying a pair that leaves 1/2 inch beyond your child's longest toe for growth. That's about the tip of your index finger. Buying with that healthy cushion should help the shoes carry your child through the school year -- or at least, through the semester! Make sure your child's heel is actually backed up to the shoe heel, and that he or she is not wiggling that foot around, trying to make a shoe they like fit.

When you take your children shopping, go at the end of the day, when feet are at their largest size.  Also, the days of "breaking in" are over, for the most part.  With all the flexible new materials in production, he shoes you and your child agree on should fit comfortably from the start.

I love clearance sales, but must remind myself, if the shoe doesn't fit, it's not a bargain. Back-to-school best wishes, and for more on this topic, here's one good link:

http://oakcliffpodiatrycentre....back-to-school-shoes.html

About The Blogger

- In her Brooke's Bargains blog Brooke Wagner writes about finding bargains and saving money for her family. She calls it one of her favorite hobbies. Blog entries cover everything from the latest steals, deals, and freebies to cheap family activities, saving for college, and what to buy right now. Tweet Brooke your ideas at @BrookeCBS4.