For most parents, back-to-school shopping is just about the only way they can get their kids excited about actually going back to school, but all those new clothes and school supplies can add up quickly.
As the summer comes to an end, you might start feeling the pressure to get your children prepared for the upcoming school year, which is already stressful enough. With a little preparation and the right strategy, however, getting ready for school luckily doesn’t have to be as stressful or as expensive as you think.
Take a look at the 5 best ways you can save some money this year when you go back-to-school shopping.
5. Avoid Themes: Children are extremely fickle, and while your little one might love something now, it might not be long until they hate it. Try sticking to basics as much as possible and let your child choose one or two themed items so in a few months when they decide that Disney character is no longer their favorite, you won’t have to throw out and repurchase all new supplies.
Also, any plain items that survive this year can be reused next year without looking dated or ’embarrassing’.
4. Review What You Already Have: Chances are, you probably have a lot of the essentials at home already, especially if this isn’t your first time shopping for school supplies. Before you even think about buying anything, go through everything at home so you don’t waste money buying things you already have, like extra notebooks, folders, crayons, glue sticks, and loose leaf.
3. Online Shopping: Before stepping in a store, start looking online early for supplies. Not only is it easier to keep track of prices online instead of running around to different stores, you can make buy a few things at a time when a good deal spring up and slowly chip away at the list.
2. Use The List: Teachers will give out a supply list at the start of each year, and they make them for a reason. Sticking to the list will make sure your child has everything they’ll need, and will save you from wasting money on items they really don’t need. No matter how cute you think something is, if it’s not on the list, it will probably never get used or end up crushed at the bottom of their backpack.
1. Look For Deals: Take advantage of great back-to-school sales at the end of the summer and make sure to find out what deals stores are or will be offering. For example, stores like Office Depot, Target, and Staples offer great deals on school essentials like pencils, highlighters, notebooks, and pens. Look here to see the five stores offering school items for less than $1.
What other back-to-school saving tips have you picked up over the years? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE this with other parents on Facebook.
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5 Ways All Parents Can Save Money During Back-To-School Shopping is an article from: LifeDaily