Back to school shopping is coming soon. As a parent of teenagers, I used to dread this time of year. We would spend so much on clothes that are just going to go out of fashion in a few months. After years of this, I started to develop a method of saving money, but still getting my kids the clothing that they like. Here are five tips that may help you:

1. Aim to spend less than 10 dollars on a shirt. I know this might sound odd, but it works. There are plenty of places to buy cute tops that aren’t 20 bucks a pop. Also, chances are, the shirts that are being displayed are the most expensive ones. Push past them to the other things hanging up to find the less expensive clothing. It might take a little bit of the extra effort to find, but when you get to the checkout stand, it’s worth it.

2. Try to limit the price of your pants to 20 Dollars a pair. They are out there, I promise.

3. Don’t be afraid of bargain stores. Many stores are out there to help you out. Chances are, there is one near you. You might have to pick through a lot of clothes, but the prices are lower, and they don’t spend their energy trying to show off specific, expensive clothing.

4. Clearance racks are not the enemy here. I cannot tell you how many times I have found a shirt for under four dollars because of the clearance rack. But you have to be careful. There are some stores that use their clearance rack as a way to get rid of clothing that have been ripped, or damaged in some way.

5. Keep a good attitude while shopping. There is no reason not to have fun. If your teen starts to get frustrated because clothes aren’t fitting them the way they would like them to, try to just smile and keep their spirits up. Trust me, it makes everyone’s life easier in the long run. There is nothing more annoying than a frustrated teen.

Following these tips will help both your wallet and your well-being. It’s proven that after a good buy, feel-good endorphins go off in your brain and put you in a better mood. One thing to not forget: these tips aren’t only for your kids. Try using them when shopping for you. After all, your kids aren’t the only ones that need good clothes.