Get Ready for Back to School Shopping

It’s almost August.  Crazy  how fast this summer has gone by.  I’ve just started my back to school shopping this last week and loved these tips that Alyssa had to share! 

Get Ready for Back to School Shopping

Author: Alyssa Craig

Back to school is coming sooner than you might be expecting. In fact, you may already start seeing school supplies and back to school deals popping up by the end of this month! This is the time to start preparing for what you will need to purchase for your child’s next school year to make sure they are adequately prepared. If done correctly, you may even beat the rush and avoid being one of those parents fighting for that must have item or your kid’s favorite brand of pencil.

Here are some tips to get you started and prepare you for what you need to be ready for back to school shopping:

Take Inventory

First and foremost, take inventory of what you already have. You may still have lots of pencils,  pens, notebooks, or binder dividers left over from the last school year. Be sure to also take inventory of your child’s closet and figure out what clothing items need to be replaced or which will soon become obsolete thanks to their summer growth spurt.

Use the School’s Supply List

The best way to know what you need to buy is to stick to the list your child’s school sends out for the most basic items. If you do not want to splurge on anything, this is going to be your best bet of only buying what is absolutely necessary.

Pay in Cash

Once you have your list written out, figure out roughly how much it will cost in order to develop a budget. When you do go out shopping, carry only enough money to cover your budget as outlined here. Do not use a credit card to cover extra costs. Stick to the cash and you will stick to your budget.

Shop End of Summer and Back to School Deals

Many summer items, like basic tees, are sure to be used for a few more months, at least. Buy up a few extras and buy a few for the spring, looking forward to any growth spurt that might happen over the winter. You might also save some good money leaving some less immediately necessary items for end of season sales the week after school starts. Bonus: You will also avoid the crowds

Buy in Bulk

If you are able, buy school supplies in bulk to save money. Items that may be used for years, such as folders, notebooks, pens, and binders could say you a lot of money over the years if bought in bulk one year. Your future self will thank you.

 

Check Websites

Because you already have a list and you are getting an early jump on back to school shopping, you can take some time to do a little research. Check the websites for those stores you usually shop at and see if you can find deals or the best place to buy items. Look for those stores that also do price matching so you only have to make one trip rather than running all around town. Some websites even offer free shipping.  

Avoid Trendy Items

Especially for younger kids, trendy items are likely to go out of style quickly and in a couple of months your kid may want to replace that item because it is no longer “cool”. You may consider budgeting for one or two trendy items and allow your child to decide which those will be or have them do chores to earn the money for those themselves. You can also buy more basic items and then allow each child to decorate it to fit their own unique tastes.

Know When Quality Counts

A good backpack whose zipper will not break halfway through the school year, or a solid pair of shoes might be worth the cost, so know which items are worth the higher cost. Other things such as a notebook endorsed by the latest popstar rather than buying a basic notebook might not be quite as important.

Back to school shopping can be stressful, but with a little planning, looking for deals, and sticking to your budget, you and your kids will be ready for school earlier than usual and avoid the hectic rush that usually happens.