Back-to-school shopping can be daunting, but these expert shoppers share their best tips for saving time and money.

Clarissa Wallace: I will shop the sales tax free weekend this year (Aug. 6-7). I usually buy essentials and then shop for the fall clothes after school starts at the consignment sales. I also look online to compare prices.

Chastity Reynolds: I stock up for the year. I know my kids will use crayons all year, so when they are on sale for $.10 a pack, I buy more.

Brandy Branson: During the summer, my children go through their closet, and we donate the old clothes before we buy something new.

Kelly Miller: I do not like waiting until the weekend before school starts. It’s like shopping the week before Christmas. I don’t like crowds.

Peggy Bates: I always take the girls with me. If they won’t wear the clothes I buy, they will sit in the closet (I found out the hard way!).

Rachel Clark: Having twins that are polar opposites makes shopping hard. I take them one at a time and we have a girl’s day. They feel special and I can focus on just them. That way they don’t influence each other.

DeAnn Smith: I usually shop Mon.- Fri. and avoid the weekend rush.

Christy Whitley: I always try to buy the backpacks and lunch boxes while on vacation in July. That cuts one expense when buying supplies.