It’s still the middle of summer, but the new school year isn’t that far away! A lot of families are (reluctantly) starting to think about getting prepped and ready for the new year, and that means new stuff!
But with the added expense of, well, everything nowadays, any chance we can find to save a few bucks is something worth checking out. So, here are some tips and things to keep in mind when it comes to back to school shopping.
Here are Five Fast Facts on saving money with back to school shopping:
- 😥 The Concern Is Real - Many families are rightly concerned about the cost of back to school shopping. Depending on where you look, estimates are between $500 and $900 per family! For college students it’s more like $1200. And that’s just to get in the door…
- ♻️ Another Go-Round - Consider second hand clothing or supplies. This doesn’t work for everything, but if you are able (and willing) to roll with gently used stuff, you can save a ton of money. There are a lot of second-hand stores everywhere now, and many of them have designer brands just waiting to be found, if you’re willing to dig a bit. And hey, no one knows if those “distressed” jeans are new or not!
- ⌚ Timing Is Everything - Most states have a tax-free weekend at some point, where they don’t charge sales tax, so that’s a great window of opportunity for making big purchases (or lots of small ones). Keep a sharp eye out for sales or coupons, too, as saving a little bit on a lot of stuff can add up. And get started early – whether in person or online – since products may have a limited supply and you don’t want to show up with knock-off brand crayons! (Or maybe you do…that’s another way to save!)
- 🤔 Choose Wisely - Another option for saving money is to use a method that has savings built in. Target’s Red Card, for example, saves 5% on every purchase. Many credit cards award points toward perks for dollars spent, so if you’re going to have to spend that money no matter what, you might as well get some benefit for it!
- 💡 Object Lesson - This is a golden opportunity to teach your kids about budgeting. Tailor it to their age, of course, but work with them to set a budget, do comparison shopping, and prioritize purchases. It's a real life experience that directly affects them, so it’s a great teachable moment! It might also help you stick to that budget, too. 😉
🔥Bottom line: It’s an exciting time, getting ready to go back to school. It’s also expensive, so finding ways to save a buck can be super helpful.
What are your best money-saving back to school tips?
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