When you receive the list of supplies that your child needs, you may feel the need to scramble to the stores. Don’t worry; there are more than enough supplies to go around. Carry your list with you at all times, and shop over a period of time, keeping an eye out for sales.
Backpack:
Choose a sturdy backpack that is well made and durable. Kids put their bags through some rough treatment, and the cheaper bags often end up with rips and tears midway through the school year. Backpacks will be on sale as the summer season winds down!
Lunch box:
The best lunch boxes on the market today are thermal and soft-sided. These lunch boxes keep food cool and safe to eat. Be sure to purchase a couple of ice packs as you may need them on the warmer days to keep food cool. Avoid using baggies and choose some reusable plastic containers with leak-proof seals instead. A thermos is a nice idea for hot meals during cold winter months.
Clothing:
You may get the urge to stock up on an entirely new wardrobe. Instead, go through your child’s clothes and see what they already have that is in great condition.
Shop for pieces that your kids can mix-and-match together. Try to avoid the “in” thing, as it won’t be “in” six months down the road. On the other hand, being “in” is important to teens and peer acceptance, so allow your teen to select one or two pieces of clothing that are hot fashion as a bit of a compromise.
School Supplies:
Take inventory of what you already own. Did your child even use their colouring pencils last year? Before you head out to buy the expensive crayon set, take inventory of what you already have. You may find an unused notebook, last school years colouring pencils and scissors lying around. After seeing what you do have, start a list of what you need.
Many of the supplies your child needs can be found at the dollar store – most of the time you can get colouring pencils, markers, scissors and glue much cheaper.
Stick to the list:
Only buy the items that are on your list of necessities that you created before you started shopping. Sticking to the list will help you stick to your budget.
There are plenty of other tips that help make the transition back to school a breeze, but starting with these ideas is a start. You’ll be able to cut corners on expenses and provide your kids with what they need to start the school year right.
What are other ways to save money while shopping for back-to-school?
This year I really have to make litter-less lunches a priority & invest in some good quality leakproof containers for my kids lunches. They have some really nice ones that are good for the environment & make lunches fun!