Back to School Savings
It's that time of year again. Back to school. Whew! What a
relief. Although I don't look forward to the school supply lists
and shopping in preparation for the big day, I am grateful for
the peaceful days that lay before me. I love my kids, but don't
love those long summer days playing referee to numerous sibling
conflicts between three teens and one pre-teen, each
individually determined to have the day go their way.
Two and a half months later I'm ready to all but push them out
the door! But really, I have to congratulate the kids. That
no-one suffered severe injury during all that head butting is
truly a miracle! Safely surviving the summer, they now get ready
to bravely walk the halls of peer scrutiny. Hard to believe that
they could actually be excited about it. But, they are, as they
have always been each year before, eagerly anticipating the big
day.
I've pretty much got this school readiness thing down to a
science by now. My oldest of four children is entering the 10th
grade and the youngest is starting 4th.
Here's how I deal with the back to school essentials:
Know what is "essential"
You have a list. Stick to it. Your kids may try to convince you
that they absolutely have to have that pack of 20 different
colored gel pens. Your answer(or rather question): "Where is it
written?"
Set Limits
You know how much you have to spend if you're following any kind
of budget. And, everyone should be.
Negotiate
When you have more than one child to prepare for school, you
have to negotiate sometimes. Give and take. For example, one
child may acquire an abundance of clothing in hand me downs,
which happens more often than not in a family with three girls
as we have.
This leaves the oldest child in need of more clothing than the
others since, there is little or no existing wardrobe to
supplement the limited new wardrobe. The older child might
forego a new backpack for more new clothing and allow the
younger child to sport the new backpack. The older child uses a
backpack that survived the previous year.
I use certain shopping standards and tactics for most school
purchases:
Clothing
Although my budget surely doesn't allow for a completely new
school wardrobe for everyone, I do manage a few new outfits for
each child and a new pair of shoes. If I didn't I would never be
able to shake the shame of all the "I can't go school the first
day in the same old clothes and shoes!" cries.
I have found that once you're past the first few days, it
doesn't really seem to matter. After the first few days, all
first impressions are written in stone and there's no turning
back. Everything is old news by the second week of school.
Realizing this, I know a few new outfits will suffice for the
beginning of the school year. I usually add new outfits
throughout the year as my budget allows and always include some
new clothing in the Christmas gift list for each child.
Of course, I prepare early on, catching all the sales and
scanning all the clearance racks. Many times, I will purchase
school clothing many months ahead of time when the winter
inventory goes on clearance at the stores. If you do this,
remember to allow for growth by the time they are to be worn.
I'm pretty good at guestimating future sizes.
If you only have one or two children, the clothing budget may
not be as challenging for you. But with four kids, I use every
money saving tactic known to keep costs down.
Backpacks and Zip Binders
These two items will likely be some of the priciest on the
school supply list. That is, next to the infamous TI83
calculator that most 7 graders and up require. I have to mention
that recently I saw a headline of financial news that read
something like this, "Texas Instruments reports profits at all
time highs last month." Well, there's no big surprise there! I
couldn't help but laugh.
Backpacks and binders are always used until they fall apart in
our house. Most backpacks are machine washable and weather a
washing pretty well. I usually let them air dry on a sunny day.
New backpacks and binders(on sale), or nearly new ones (acquired
at thrift stores and yard sales,) are purchased only in the
absence of a suitable leftover from the previous year.
I have found that sometimes two zip binders are better than one.
Rather than pack one binder to a bulging breaking point, divide
subjects into two binders and they will last longer.
The Infamous TI83 Calculator
I can't imagine my father's face if the school had told him I
needed a calculator that costs roughly $100. I chuckle at the
thought! Well, it's no laughing matter today. In most school
systems the TI83 is a requirement for any child entering a
pre-algebra course.
The best retail price I've seen for this one hovers around the
$70 mark. That's with a sale price and a rebate. I have
seen many listed on e-bay. The ones I've watched, depending on
how "used" they are range from $45 to $60 average and you have
to pay shipping costs ranging from $10 to $20. Someone once said
they were lucky enough to find one in a pawn shop for about $45.
If you really can't afford one of these calculators don't worry.
Call your school to inquire what options they have for those
situations. Many classrooms have calculators that can be
borrowed during class. Many schools offer a rental program for
about $10 per semester. This can be a big help if you have more
than one child that needs the calculator.
The rest of the list
Pencils, pens, glue, book covers, etc., etc., etc... Each year
the office supply stores and department stores offer drastically
reduced leader items to get the school supply business. The hope
is that you plan to do all your school shopping in one trip and
they'll make up for it on other necessary items.
Usually, one or two items are featured each week for several
weeks prior to the start of school. Crayons, pencils, markers,
paper, and rulers, just to name a few, can be purchased for as
little as .10 cents a piece!
I purchase enough of those items when they are on sale to last
the entire year. I even have an accumulated stash that is
carried over into the next year. So, if I get strapped for
money, I won't have to purchase some items at all. Keep your
eyes on the sales flyers and buy only those items that are sales
leaders at each store you frequent. Go back to the stores as
other items go on sale.
Watch for rebates during the back to school season. Many
national drug store chains, with rebate programs, offer school
supply sales in addition to rebates that result in free items.
For the most part, I use all the money saving strategies that I
use year round to save on school supplies. As with any budget
expense, combining money saving strategies to maximize savings
is the best strategy.
Planning and budgeting for school supplies is the best strategy.
A good budget plan is like a good friend. It keeps you strong
and steady.