When do you buy:
Clothes
Gear (backpacks, lunchboxes, etc.)
School supplies
etc.

How much does timing play a role? I've found that buying the school supplies (paper, pencils, etc.) it's best to buy early since most stores like Target, Walmart, etc. use them as loss leaders to get you in the door, in hopes that you'll spend more on higher-margin goods. However, things like clothes, gear, etc. are best purchased after school starts.

__________________
Check out the Mommysavers Fan Page on Facebook
Frugal Tweets! Follow Mommysavers on Twitter
Preorder the NEW Mommysavers.com Book: Instant Bargains

I buy clothes/shoes all year round...

We bought backpacks and lunchboxes back when our kids were in preschool from LLBean or Landsend (can't recall which exactly) and they're still going strong! We're not into any character type products, so solid colored backpacks worked well for us and they still look new...my older son is going into 7th grade, so it was worth buying a quality product from a good company with great customer service.

I do buy school supplies as soon as I see them in stores (July)...so far this year, I've spent less than $10 on school supplies. Just depends on what is on the list though!

I am buying school supplies during our tax free week next week. They will still be the same prices as they have been so that is not a concern. As far as gear, I buy that in the spring for the next year because it will be on clearance then, but we only do that every 3 years or so depending on what they need. Clothes are a more as needed thing. I will be buying some next week because the boys need some shorts without holes for school. They have been rough on their shorts this summer.

YES me too, I am waiting for NO TAX week. For the clothes anyway.

The school supplies...I have found that it is best to wait until after school starts and they have their lists from each teacher. Paper I will buy early, but notebooks, binders, pens, etc...I wait until I know exactly what they need. Saves on number of trips to the store too!!

__________________
I've grown certain that the root of all fear is that we've been forced to deny who we are. ~ Frances Moore Lappe

well Im picking up things for supplies as they items I need go on sale!! Clothes I will get my kids each 2 outfits to start the school year in!! (something about a new outfit can sure help the confidence!!) then the rest of the clothes well they get things here and there all year long!!) plus the 2 outfits are a special day with mom lunch and all and only that kid!!! no one esle!!!

__________________
http://tickers.bump-and-beyond.com/34/3431/343117.png

Clothes I buy as needed all year around
School supplies I buy early
Backpacks and lunch boxes I buy after school starts and they go on clearance.

__________________
~Happiness is a large family~

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. James 1:19

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

We homescool, so timing isn't as critical for us. But, I pick up loss leaders as I see them. We purchase clothes year-round. I stock up on school supplies that I wasn't able to purchase as loss leaders after the public schools start school and things go on clearance. That's also the time I pick up things for birthday party gift bags, stocking stuffers, friend birthday gifts, Sunday school gifts, etc.

__________________
Homeschooling Mom to Daniel (13 Years), Andrew (10 Years), Stephen (8 Years) and Emily (4 Years)

We will be school supply shopping this weekend, just printed the list online!
Last year I got clothes but it was Kindergarten so it was exciting, this year I have decided to buy as needed.
He will be using the same back pack as last year but I do need to purchase a lunch box.

I probably start in July. That's when the school supply deals start. Lunch boxes and backpacks I wait until right after Labor Day. We don't start until September and by then lots of things are on clearance. I scored a really nice backpack last year for $4, regularly $40.

Clothes I also get the end of July. I just noticed that Old Navy put lots of boys boxers on clearance because they have different prints. Some were $.97 !!
I buy clothes now because when we need jeans and sweaters, in Feb/March the stores only have shorts and bathing suits. It's crazy to buy jeans in July and bathing suits in February. But that's what I do and everything goes in my storage totes!