Eeek!! I can't believe it is officially "back-to-school" season! Here are a few tips for you as you shop for your back-to-school gear. I hope you all make this time with your kids enjoyable and fun. They don't know about the economy or the financial stress you may be under and to be honest, they really shouldn't have to worry about that. But, just because they shouldn't worry about it, doesn't mean they should be clueless about finances and budgets.
We are beginning to talk to our kids about finances. They would say, "why can't I have that? or why can't we go there??" We would normally answer them that we didn't have the money to do that. (not a great answer! they took it literally :) So, we started teaching them, we didn't have money for that, but that doesn't mean we don't have ANY money. We have been teaching them, when they receive money, they give a portion, spend a portion and save a portion. And that is what we try to do as well - then you are never so strapped that you don't have a dollar to your name!
Working on a budget for back-to-school items with your kids would be a great activity (and maybe get their brains in gear for the coming school year!) They will be more understanding when they see how much things cost. And, they will probably be just as excited as you are to get those Wal-Mart crayons for 20 cents a pack! Hope you enjoy the following tips on saving money for your back-to-school purchases.
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| Me and the kids on their first day back to school last fall! |
Found this great website with cute templates for your kids back-to-school budget! Aren't they too cute?
http://www.thehouseholdplanner.com/pdf/MySchoolSupplyBudget.pdf
Thehouseholdplanner.com had this helpful list for building a budget for your teen/tween:
Mom or dad will have to do some research here to come up with an amount that the kids can spend on school supplies (My 13 year old stepdaughter got a list form her school totaling $36 , this does not include a backpack, we plan to giver her $40)
On a piece of paper or you can download the My School Supply Budget, have your child record their budgeted amount of money they can spend.
Have them list all of the school supplies they need
They should list the proposed or budgeted amount for each item (this can be done at home by checking the prices in the local flyers or online)
Then calculate the budgeted amount to see if they are under or over budget
Make and necessary changes, like removing items or lowering prices to stay under budget
Head off to the store with their list and a calculator
They can record the actual prices while they are shopping
Calculate the remaining balance (that they can keep or put into savings)
Yeah! Give them a pat on the back for sticking to their budget!
http://www.thehouseholdplanner.com/gettingorganized/get-organized-with-the-back-to-school-checklist-shopping-list/
SAVE: For the first time, Illinois is participating in the Back-to-School sales tax holiday. You can save 5%, if you shop for school supplies or clothing from Friday, Aug 6 - Aug, 15! yeah!
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Starts Friday
List of Eligible Items Available to Help with Shopping List
SPRINGFIELD – With the first statewide back-to-school sales tax holiday starting this Friday, August 6 and running through Sunday, August 15, the Illinois Department of Revenue is reminding families to plan on shopping for the new clothes and school supplies their children need to get a good start at school this year. A list of items qualifying for the five percent sales tax break is available at www.tax.illinois.gov and can be downloaded or printed from any computer and used to help plan necessary back-to-school purchases.
SAVE:
Children's Place - extra 15% off Coupon Code on Everything including School Uniforms at The Children's Place! + other sale items
15% off your entire purchase (stackable)
Use code: F6ADKVW77A
Ends: August 31, 2010
GYMBOREE:
Yes, I love their sales and they are really marking things down right now. They have a 40% off sale, then I had a 20% off coupon. I got the kids a bunch of stuff for next to nothing. Then, I earned GYMBUCKS for 50% off a shopping trip during specific dates. If you learn how to work their sales and shop the clearance racks, you can get steals. One thing I try to do is buy for next year, while they are discounted, instead of purchasing next year at peak prices. (for example, this SPRING, I purchased both of my kids winter coats at the GAP for $10 a piece. That's quite a savings, when you see the regular prices are around $50 - $60!! And now, what a relief that I don't have to buy them a coat!)
SAVE:
WAL-MART - As usual has crayons for .20 cents a box and other crazy good deals to get you into the store.
RetailMeNot, CouponShack.com and Coupon Sherpa -- and free-shipping offers (see FreeShipping.org). BEFORE you shop, check these sites - they often have coupons for a store you are shopping at (and not just online retailers). I check RetailMeNot for almost any store I go to! It's fantastic!
Hurry to sign up for your Nabisco Back To School Savings! You'll get (2) $20 rebates and $15 in coupons on Nabisco, Planters, Capri Sun, Ritz Bits, and Easy Cheese.
SAVE FOR CHRISTMAS: :) seriously!!?? yup!
Buy all the goodies when they are on clearance after school has started for CHEAP stocking stuffers. The kids love getting "fresh" school supplies half-way through the school year. And when they are 75-90% off, you might as well buy some for next year too!
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