Maricel Tabalba
Writer | Content Team at Credit.com

Summer break is ending and you and your bank account are feeling exhausted. All those road trips, camping supplies and pool parties came at a price. Now that the new school year is upon us, it’s time to buckle down and buy some school supplies for your kids. After a summer of fun activities and expenses, it is an ideal time to review some strategies to keep in mind while school shopping.

Start Planning Now

If you are worried that your budget might be stretched thin, start itemizing and prioritizing. List every item on the school supply list, no matter how small. Then prioritize that list. For instance, loose-leaf is essential but highlighters might not be. Take taxes into consideration. Write down the amount of each item as you shop and deduct it from your budget immediately to eliminate the chance of future surprises.

Start Shopping Yesterday

Many school districts offer discounts on essential items. Do your research and find out where the deals are, then get there as early as possible. Not only does early shopping provide you with peace of mind, fewer crowds and better choices, you will definitely score a deal! Stick to your list. Later, during the back to school rush, you can return to the stores to buy non-essentials at deeply discounted prices.

Trust Your Kids, Mostly

Family budget meetings provide kids with teachable moments that help them choose between spending money on glow-in-the-dark highlighters or skimping on new winter gloves.

When it comes to technology, listen to your kids preferences. Purchase items they feel comfortable using. Browse big box tech stores, let your kids get their hands on the tools they need. Remember, you don’t have to buy in-store.

Buy Online

Free shipping on discounted items are two of the biggest ways to save money. Not only are you getting the items you need at lower prices, but you don’t have to pay for gas or postage. However, websites aren’t your only options – apps are becoming incredibly useful. You do a quick Google search to find store specific apps that guarantee that you pay the lowest price for your purchases.

Wear Wisely

A few ways to keep clothing costs down include selling your old clothing on eBay or Craigslist, donating clothing to thrift stores and earning tax deductions, buying your clothes from thrift stores or even making your own. For items that must be purchased new, head to outlet malls or overstock stores like T.J. Maxx or Ross.

Reuse and Recycle

Before heading to the store, go shopping at home. Rummage through your closets and knock off the items you already have: Backpack? Sweater? Tissues?

Share your no-longer-needed items with neighbors, relatives and friends. Some enterprising moms even hold swap meets. Who says back-to-school shopping can’t be social or even fun?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe. Life with kids can get chaotic but if you’ve survived this far, you can make it! Remember to start early, search for deals and think creatively.

What strategies have you taken in past school years?

About Maricel Tabalba

Maricel works with the content team for Credit.com.  She writes on topics from budgeting for your household to money habits you should teach your kids, and everything in between. She never gets tired of exploring small neighborhood shops in search for unique and rare items for her apartment. In addition to finance, Maricel likes writing about films, books, and food.

View all posts by Maricel Tabalba here.

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