Got Teens? Surviving Back to School 2010 Shopping

Back to school shopping with a teen is always an adventure, and a costly one at that. The beloved t-shirt from last year is now so horribly unfashionable she wouldn't be caught dead in it. The cost of his jeans seems to double in price for every inch he gains in height.

Here's a strategy to help parents of teenagers make it though the back to school shopping process relatively unscathed:

Pick a Budget

This year, stop the drama and be the Mama. Create a plan of attack that lets you control spending while keeping your teen from having an emotional melt down. Begin with deciding on a budget. Once you decide on how much you will spend, let your teen's input be heard. If he wants you to spend more, he'll have to chip in the extra cash. If she wants a diva bag, she'll have to dig into that diva allowance you've been shelling out all those years.

Make a List

Once you know how much you'll spend, it's time to figure out what you'll buy with it. Don't forget the extras--like athletic clothing for gym and sports. Check the closet for pieces they don't heap with hate upon hate, so you know what you have already.

If the list is longer than your arm, consider breaking it into essentials and extras. Once you take care of the essentials, then you can go looking for the extras with any money you have left over. This will encourage your teen to make frugal choices so they can get the fun stuff too.

While you make the list, get your teen's opinion. This is where you cut right through the drama and treat your teens like the adults they are trying so hard to be. Ask them to show you picture of the latest fashions or pieces of clothing they admire. This is a good time to offer your input into what clothing you consider acceptable, rather than waiting until the dressing room to have a brawl over miniskirts or droopy pants. Now the fun begins. It's time to go bargain hunting!

Dealing with Brand Loyalty

According to LSU Age Center, early teens want to fit in, but older teens prefer expressing individuality. These facts will be important points in your shopping strategy. Why? The dreaded brand loyalty.

Teens who want to fit in are big on brand loyalty. That means you need to do some negotiating ahead of time one what brands are worth the extra money. Suggest letting them spend a percentage of the budget on one brand, only after the other essentials are purchased. This way, you can bargain hunt to your heart's desire, but for that one portion of the budget. Even then, go coupon and sale hunting to get the name brand at a discount.

LSU reports, "Teens are attracted to products that affirm their interests and lifestyle choices." That should point you in the right direction once you get to Walmart. There is a rack of funky t-shirts and at least one or two will appeal to your teen. Jeans are ultra-affordable there too. Be sure to stretch your wings and look at big lot stores too, and don't forget the clearance rack at Gap and Old Navy. The bargains can be phenomenal.

Get Thrifty

And don't forget to hit the thrift store on the day when most of the store is half-off, or when you can grab a bag and stuff it full for $7 (call to find out when). Let your teens get creative as he or she discovers some original "retro" pieces. And of course, don't forget to check Savings.com for some good back to school shopping deals!

Jessica Bosari writes for the money-saving site, Billeater.com. The site is devoted to helping people reduce expenses, save money and find great deals. Pay Billeater a visit for more money-saving tips!