Smart ways to save money on back-to-school expenses

The new school year is around the corner, so is the all-too-familiar stress of back-to-school shopping.

New backpacks, trendy clothing, snazzy binders, lunch boxes; not only can all the choices be overwhelming, but they also add up quickly.

After all, your children may need school supplies, indoor shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles and electronics for their first day back. Plus, all that hot summer sun seems to cause children to sprout up a few inches, making all their clothes from last year too small.

No wonder most parents cite buying new school clothes as their single biggest child-related expense. To help ease the financial burden, we’ve compiled this list of smart ways to save money on back-to-school expenses.

With a little planning and a few tips and tricks, your school supplies will be a total steal.

How to get the most out of your budget
Make an inventory of what you already have
Schools often send home a list just before school closes of what school supplies your child will need when they return. Or you can check the school’s website or social media pages for updates.

Your child’s teacher may send home a list during the first week back if he/she has specific items they want each child to have for the year. If you get a list early enough, you can shop before the back-to-school rush and search for sales. Unless you’re shopping for your first child, you probably already have a good idea about what items your children will need.

Contact your child’s teacher or the school
Find out what supplies (pencil case, lunch box, markers, scissors, erasers, calculator, pencils and pens) your child will need for the year.

If, for example, the school has a dress code and if your child will need a change of clothes for gym class. Also find out what other school expenses may come up throughout the year, such as hot lunch orders, field trips, book fair costs, fundraisers, graduation photos and class pictures.

Determine what you need
Go through your house and make a list of all the school supplies you already have on hand. Dig up your child’s pencil case, backpack and lunch box from the previous school year and see what items you can reuse.
If your child has grown over the summer, and they probably have, see if their old indoor shoes and winter boots will fit a younger sibling. The same goes for any clothing that is in good condition and can be passed down to another child.

Donate any clothing and school supplies you don’t need
Consider donating any items your family no longer needs so another family can use them. Your school’s principal may be able to collect school supplies from you to give to a child at the school.

Make a back-to-school shopping list
Sit down with your children and make a shopping list of all the items you need to buy. Start with the school supplies that are needed and not wants. This is a good opportunity to teach your children how to determine needs from wants, and how to make a school budget plan.

Teach your children to wait before they buy
Hold off shopping until the cold weather hits, your child can decide what clothes they want to buy. This strategy can save you money on school clothes and other items they don’t need.

Look for clearance sales on the back-to-school items
Watch for sales, which will be happening in lots of stores right before school starts. They are a good opportunity to stock up on bulk items, such as pencils, pens, lined paper, binders. Be on the lookout for clearance sales on school supplies at the stores.

If there is anything you forgot to buy or you were waiting to get, now is a good time.* Source: https://bestmoneymom.com/smart-ways-to-save-money-on-back-to-school-expenses/