Conquer Back to School Shopping Like a Boss!

Summer is coming to an end. And if you have children, that means back to school. You also know that your children can be some of your biggest budget busters. But we're here to help you get them ready for school without hurting your wallet or pulling your hair out.

Some schools are already back in session, but you'll still find these tips helpful. These are the typical back to school expenses:

• Clothes (coats, shoes, etc.)
• School lunch programs
• General school supplies (book bags, notebooks, writing utensils, etc.)
• Fees (athletics, instruments, field trips, etc.)
• School pictures
• After school care

Once you've got the big picture, you can prioritize and, as always...

1. Make a plan! Refer to the past year and figure out how much you spent. Take inventory of what you currently have and make a list of the items you'll need.
   
2. Get your kids involved in the process. This will allow them to practice compromise and opportunity cost when deciding between needs and wants. Set a budget and have them make some of the decisions. If they're older and want specific items, consider having them pay for it themselves.
3. Use coupons and look for discounts. Having a plan early will allow you to look for the best deals. Obvious places to look are the big box stores, but don’t be afraid to look at stores like Walgreens or CVS Pharmacy.
4. Delay purchasing some items. Make sure you get the necessities. Once school begins, supplies will be marked down to move them out of inventory. Now is the time to buy! Also, this is a great time to think about next year. If the school allows, get the list for the upcoming year. This may change slightly, but for the most part will be the same. Buy what you need when it's drastically discounted.
5. Don't let clothes bust your budget. If you're looking to save money for kids 4 - 10, look for clothing swap opportunities. Shop second hand stores/yard sales. Take advantage of hand-me-downs. Not only in your own family, but also in others. For kids 11 - 18, have a regular monthly budget for them. If your teens want higher end clothing, have them pay for part of the bill.

This should help you get you and your children ready to start and productive and non-stressful school year.