Summer is pretty much over. Sadly, that means kids everywhere are either already back to school, or they’ll be going back soon.
If you have kids, that may be good news to you in some respects. Your childcare expenses may decrease and you won’t have bored kids anymore. At the same time, paying for school supplies can be hard on your budget.
Fortunately there are ways you can cut back on school supply costs so they don’t destroy your budget.
Pick Up a School Supply List
Many schools provide supply lists a few weeks ahead of time to help parents prepare for back to school expenses. They may appear in newspapers, printed form in discount stores, or email documents and other electronic format. If you don’t have a list, check with your child’s school to see if they provide them.
Having a list ahead of time can help you cut back on school supply costs. Rather than buying the wrong supplies and then having to buy more later, you’ll already know what’s needed.
Look at Your Home Inventory
Did your child have school supplies left over at the end of the last school year? If so, check the supply list against what you may already have on hand at home. That can help you determine what you already have and what you’ll need to spend money on. In the end it will help you cut back on school supply costs and save your budget.
Don’t Forget About Clothes and Sports Equipment
Paper, pencils, notebooks, crayons, and other school supplies aren’t the only thing your kids will need for back to school. Growing kids might need new jeans, shirts, shoes, and other clothing as well as sports equipment. Make sure you include these in your back to school shopping so you don’t pay extra for them later.
Get Help from Charitable Organizations
Some charitable organizations, such as churches, universities, local social organizations and the like, donate school supplies each year. Checking your list against what they are giving away can save you additional money on school supply costs.
Clip Coupons
Magazines, newspapers, emails, and texts are just a few places you might find coupons to use when buying school supplies. Make sure to take advantages of this savings opportunity so you don’t overpay for school supplies this year.
Watch for Sales
When you pair up coupons with store sales you can save even more on school supply costs. Of course, coupon hunting and looking for sales takes extra time. However, the extra time spent researching the best deals can translate into significant savings.
Check Local Facebook Groups
Sometimes other parents will list clothing and sports equipment in local Facebook groups. If you take advantage of this and buy used items to save money it helps both you and them.
Ask the School
Being financially strapped is nothing to be ashamed of. Discretely ask the school if they have any additional sources that can help you reduce school supply costs.
Save Ahead
Obviously, school supply costs will hurt your wallet less if you save money ahead of time. Figure this into your monthly budget and set aside money all year long. Once it’s time to prepare for back to school your budget won’t suffer as much.
Shop at Thrift Stores
Do you need one more way to save on school supply costs for your kids? Don’t forget about thrift stores and flea markets. You may find clothes, sports equipment, and even notebooks, paper, and pens there.
Sending you kids to school each year isn’t cheap. But if you use some of these ideas, you can cut back on school supply costs and save money.
Track All Your Accounts With Personal Capital
Personal Capital lets you see all of your accounts in one convenient place. Sign up now for free.What methods do you use to save on school supply costs?
Leave a Reply