Back-to-School Tips
Like it or not...it's almost time for the kids to return to school. If you could use some back-to-school tips to help save money while getting everything your child needs, keep reading!
Tip #1: Prioritize Your List
First, make a list of all the back-to-school supplies you need. Then it's time to prioritize it. Put the most important things that you need the soonest upfront. Items that you might not need at the beginning of the year can go further down on the list.
If your back-to-school budget can handle the cost of everything on your list, you're ready to go shopping. But, if you find you can't afford everything on the list, make some adjustments. Does the calculator really need to be a super-duper-plus version?
After editing for any downsizes or compromises, if you still can't afford everything on the list, start at the top and buy what you can. Go shopping for the other items later in the year when you have the money to do so.
Tip #2: Save Money on What You Need
With your prioritized list of back-to-school items ready, now is the time to see where you can save money.
No doubt clothes are a part of the list. Have you considered hand-me-downs? What about thrift shops? You can often find quality clothes that were rarely worn or sometimes brand-new items that people donated before they even removed the tags. Don't let you or your kids get caught up in buying the latest and greatest (most expensive) fashions. And, don't forget to look in your closets!
Do you have school supplies you bought last year that never got used or that can be reused? Notebooks, folders, binders, pencils, or highlighters sitting around? You don't have to buy all-new supplies, when last year's supplies still work just as well.
Once you've found as much as you can, remove those items from your shopping list. You've just saved some hard-earned money.
Tip #3: Cheap: The Difference Between Price & Quality
You need to be able to afford the supplies you buy, but you also don't want them falling apart while they're still needed.
Back-to-school supplies that are cheap in price are friends of your budget. But, make sure the things you really need to last are not cheap in quality. I'm talking about backpacks, shoes, crayons (spring for the Crayola crayons...your child's teacher will appreciate it), and computers if your child might not be the best at treating his or hers with gentleness. Even with computers though, you're looking for durability, not an infinite number of functions, features, and amenities. That's how you're able to save on laptops and Chromebooks.
There's a difference between a cheap price and a cheap quality. Don't end up spending more later on because an item that needed to last was the wrong kind of cheap.
Tip #4: Find Items at Discount Stores
Check discount stores, rummage sales, and dollar stores for back-to-school supplies. You might not want to buy sushi from these places (and you really shouldn't), but the quality of clipboards, poster board, planners, and pens are just as good at a dollar store as any other location. Some name brand items can cost up to four times more at bigger stores.
So, when you're looking at back-to-school sales, don't forget to check what your local discount store has available! You may be surprised at the savings.
Tip #5: Back-to-School Supply Boxes
Many schools and other organizations pack the school supplies your children need (or are likely to need) in one convenient package. You can buy the box from them and take care of most of your shopping in one fell swoop. Of course, you're trying to save money here, so you do need to figure out if buying a kit is more affordable than buying the individual items yourself.
There are also charitable organizations that give out school supply boxes for those truly in need. Search for Project SOS (Supply Our Students), One Stop School Shop, or the Salvation Army to see how you can receive help or make a donation to help someone else.
If you could use additional help with budgeting for back-to-school shopping, sign up for personal financial coaching!
