It seems as though everyone tackles back-to-school shopping differently. No matter how it is gone about, the experience is often dreaded. Whether you’ve spent more than you intended in the past years or ended up scrambling for one item at the last minute, you probably have a bad memory to associate with the event. Here are some tips that should help you improve your overall back-to-school shopping experience and lead you in the direction of a better outcome.
If you have a list of school supplies that your child will need throughout the year, it is a good idea to keep a copy in your vehicle at all times in case you are able to pick up a few extra things while running errands. Before you do go out shopping, however, consider shopping at home first. Can last year’s backpacks be reused? What about lunch boxes? Maybe you have a ruler or a protractor sitting in your junk drawer. If your child has an older sibling, perhaps their old supplies can be traded down. The number of utilities you can obtain for free may surprise you!
When bringing the kids along on a back-to-school shopping trip, it’s easy for them to become fixated on getting the more expensive, trend-oriented gear. A good method of dodging conflict in this situation is to establish individual budgets for each child before going out. If dealing with a younger child, you could even make a game out of it!
When a firm budget is in place, a child will be less likely to beg for extra merchandise. If they do become absorbed in a brand-name item or anything else that sends them over their limit, you can refer to the budget and give them the opportunity to exchange other objects in order to make room for their purchase. If you’re having the same difficulty with a teenager, try asking them to pay for extra expenses. Having a budget will teach your young ones how to manage money and set priorities.
Be on the lookout for deals and experiment with shopping at office depots. The majority of back-to-school sales take place in August and they carry great deals. That having been said, sometimes quality counts more than price. Though brand-name crayons may cost more than the ones on sale, they may also break less frequently, saving you money in the long run. Look back on the previous years and see if you can recall any other items that this philosophy may apply to.
Another great way to save money is to bulk up on the basics. Your kids will always need pencils, pens, paper, and similar essentials in school, so if you spy a great deal on them, don’t just buy in accordance to the quantity recommended by the supplies list; stock up! Save for next year! If your high school student will need special items for their second semester, buy them in advance while they’re on sale! Keep all these bulk items in a cabinet and distribute them as needed. Allowing your child to store them in their desk or locker until they’re needed may result in their being lost or given away.
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