Q1: With our fabulous weather and the kids enjoying jumping into the pool, it’s almost unfair to take them back-to-school shopping, but schools are opening in less than 2 weeks – do they really have to go shopping now?

A: Yes, especially this year as manufacturers are making less stock. Less stock means less or no repeat orders for the stores, so the styles or sizes you want may not be there later on.

Q2: I’m looking at 27 degrees out there today, does this include snowsuits too?
Yup, snowsuits come in now. The greatest selection is now. There may be very few to choose from if you wait till November.

Q3: You always seem to have secret warehouse stores to score good deals, are there any for kid’s clothing?

Factory Outlet for Children, 8955 boul. St-Laurent at Legendre. Phone:   514-270-1477. Hours: Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5. In this huge warehouse space, you can scoop up deals from rows and rows of kids’ (newborn to 16) clothing in full size ranges in lines by Levi’s, absorba, Harley-Davidson, Classic Pooh, Jordan, Dickie’s and Disney, all at 75% off. If you walk towards the right and left walls, you can find clearance sections at even better prices. In the rear, there’s stuff for the parents – Dockers for the guys (shirts, pants, outerwear in S-XL) and HKR casual wear for the girls.

Les Textiles Goldtex,  8875 Salley, Lasalle at boul. Dollard. Phone: 514-365-9699. Hours:  Mon-Wed 10-5, Thurs & Fri 10-6, Sat 9-5. You have to go out of your way to find this superb outlet hidden amongst the factories, but it’s worth it. The multitude of brands found are: Gusti, Krickets, Cora, Deux par Deux and Perry Ellis in sizes from newborn to 18. You can pick up hooded bath towels for only $3 and sleepers 4/$12. The upper mezzanine has fancy party dresses, even for flower girls, suits, tuxedos, outfits for communion and baptism and a school color (navy) code section. There’s Perlimpinpin and Bananafish bedding and lots of bottles, hats and shoes at the front. Baby accessories are by Safety First, Graco, Avent, Dr. Brown and Medela and cribs and strollers by Graco, Safety First, Baby Cam and Perego. Have a look at their dance wear, which includes ballet and tap and jazz shoes, all by Mondor and Leo’s Dancewear.

Q4: What if we prefer to shop in a regular store, can we still save money anywhere?

Bratpack, 1283 Van Horne, at Outremont Ave. Phone: 514-270-7060. Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs 10-8, Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 (no Sun in July). This shop is full of all the latest styles with a European look for children, from underwear to snowsuits. In sizes newborn to 16, you’ll find famous name brands (Deux par Deux, Petit Lem, Gusti, Alphabet, Point Zero, Name It, Elle, Jupa, Girandola, Mexx, Mayoral and Petit Bateau) of domestic lines and European imports, all nicely discounted.  www.bratpack.ca

The Children’s Place, Finally, one of the best fair-priced, fashionable children’s (0-14) clothing chains from the U.S. has landed on our doorstep. Look for the specialty marked racks and then the % off that sales. Timed right, you can often scoop stuff up for under $10 – or even under $5. Locations: Fairview Pointe Claire (514-426-1039) ;Mail Champlain (450-466-9511); Carefour Laval (450-682-1745); Les Galeries d’Anjou (514-351-9109); Place Versailles (514-352-2069); Carrefour Angrignon (514-595-4613). www.childrensplace.com