1. Look around your home to see what supplies you may already have lying around. Also, take note of which clothes and shoes are still in good shape and do not need to be replaced.

2. Look out for bargains: With a little research you can find the best clearance sales and coupons to help make your dollars stretch even further.

3. Visit your local dollar store: They have a great supply of paper products and office/school supplies. It is also easy to keep track of how much you are spending.

4. Establish rules for clothes shopping: Clothes should be bought with a little extra room for growth. Solid neutral colored clothes also provide more options for mixing and matching and do not look dated the next week when fashion trends change.

5. Spend wisely on technology: If you are considering a computer or other electric device for your child, look into refurbished units or deals on eBay and craigslist.