Back-To-School Budgeting Tips
This article was recently published in CommunityAmerica's "Let's Talk Money" section of the Kansas City Star.
Even though the temperatures are still soaring in August, it’s easy to see that summer is basically over. If you’re a parent, now is the perfect time to start budgeting for back-to-school shopping. Outside of Christmas, back-to-school shopping is often the most expensive time of the year for parents. Your kids will need school supplies, but do they really need that new backpack? We break down where you can save when shopping for school supplies.
Shop Your Drawers First
There is something about a fresh box of crayons that makes the start of another school year feel real. For some of your other supplies, it is important to take a hard look at what is necessary to purchase new. You probably have a drawer full of pens and pencils that can be reused – and the same goes for last semester’s lightly used binders or notebooks. It’s a safe bet that your student does not need a new backpack, calculator, or USB drive for the new school year. While your child might want all new, shiny supplies, you can save a lot of money by reusing certain items. This could also be a good time to teach the little ones a lesson in saving and taking care of their personal items throughout the year.
Budget First, Buy Second
There are, of course, things that cannot be reused and that you will need to purchase new. While many schools will send out school supply information as soon as they can, feel free to contact your child’s school and request a list of what your student will need so you can start putting together a budget. Once you have a good idea of how much and what will need to be purchased, start researching. Places like Five Below or Dollar Tree carry more school supplies from your list than you would expect. You also might also find better deals online for basic supplies like paper or pens. If you have more than one child, look at bulk deals online or at a warehouse store and weigh out the per-item cost.
Dress to Impress
Pens and snack-packs are not the only back-to-school items you will need. A new fall wardrobe before stepping back into the classroom is a must for a lot of kids. Late summer/early fall is a great time to shop for those first day of school outfits. As quickly as kids grow, it might be tough for you to pull the trigger on nice, new, brand-name clothing. Hit your nearest thrift store before stopping by the mall, or even Walmart or Target. You can find great deals on brand-name clothes for your little ones, and you will not feel like you are wasting money since they are going to grow out of them before the year is up anyway.
Lastly, you’ll want to mark your calendars for the upcoming Missouri Back to School Tax Holiday taking place Friday, August 4th to Sunday, August 6th. The tax holiday covers much more than basic school supplies. You can save money on clothing and electronics such as laptops and tablets, which are more necessary than ever for our students. Anything that a student might need in school will receive a tax break this weekend, so do your research and plan ahead to make sure you are saving where you can.
The back-to-school ads will be arriving to your home or inbox soon, but do not ignore them along with the other junk mail. Instead, get an idea of costs and start preparing your budget. Think of it as setting a good example for the kids – even mom and dad must do their homework!
