Did you know August is Back to School Month? Are you ready? Sending your children back to class does not have to break the bank. Start with a plan to stay within your budget. If you are searching for tips, check out the following practical, family-friendly ways to save money while still setting your kids up for success.
1. Shop What You Already Have
Before buying anything new, go through your supplies already on hand. Keep track of your inventory or supplies to focus on essentials.
- Supplies: Gather last year’s supplies. Find pencils, binders, folders, calculators, and backpacks.
- Test: Take your time to test markers and pens instead of replacing everything. Check for tears and other
- Reuse: Find last year’s lunchboxes and water bottles to reuse to start school.
2. Buy Smart
Carefully go over your inventory list with the school’s supply list for your child’s grade. Create a shopping list.
- Ads: Check store flyers for weekly deals and specials. For example, search for 25¢ basic notebooks.
- Price Comparison: Compare prices at different places like Walmart, Target, and your local dollar stores.
- Off Brand: When possible, buy store brand items. In most cases, the items are just as good
- Buy Bulk: Split bulk items with another parent.
- Start With the Necessities: Buy your basic supplies early. Then wait until after school starts for clearance deals on extras items.
- Use the Teacher’s List: Avoid overspending by sticking to your teacher’s list.
3. Save on Clothes
Sort out your child’s clothes. Create a list of “must haves” to return to school. Donate any clothes that no longer fit. Discard stained or unusable clothing.
- Pick From Your Closet: After sorting your child’s clothing, pick outfits to start the school year. Focus on mix-and-match basics instead of full outfits.
- End of Summer Deals: Shop specials, clearance items, and end of summer deals. Summer clothing is still a great option to begin the school year.
- Shop Secondhand: Thrift stores and consignment shops can be goldmines for back-to-school outfits. Visit your local thrift stores for the basics. Let your kids pick 1–2 “fun” items to feel excited about going back to school.
4. Pack Lunches (and Snacks!)
- School Lunches: Daily lunch costs quickly add up. Check with your child’s school to learn about free or reduced lunch programs.
- Lunches From Home: Prep simple, budget-friendly meals. Consider peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, wraps, cut fruit or homemade lunches.
- Reusable Containers: Use reusable containers to avoid waste and save money.
5. Use Community Resources
Check for different events in your community to help with your back-to-school costs.
- Community Events: Check local churches, your school district, and libraries for free supply drives,
- Social Media: Join local Facebook Groups, Mom to Mom Groups or Buy Nothing Groups. Post your needs within the groups. Many offer free or low-cost items.
- Ask: Do not be afraid to post your needs to your social media accounts. Often friends or relatives have extra supplies left over from older children who do not use them.
- Backpack Events: Some areas offer backpack giveaways. Depending on the type of event, the backpacks may contain school supplies.
Kids do not need all brand-new items to succeed. Confidence, routine, and feeling prepared matter more than name brands.
