Every year, thousands of parents grab a cart and participate in the age-old tradition of back-to-school shopping. There is a level of excitement in the air as students consider new school supplies and what clothes they will wear back to school. All parents can do is look in their pockets and try to find a way to stretch a dollar. Many parents start their shopping without a plan and that’s where the money is lost. Have you ever noticed how things are strategically placed around the store for you to make random purchases? There are all kinds of pencils, notebooks and paper at your fingertips.
There are some things you can do to resist the temptation to spend too much. First make a list of the most expensive items you need to buy. Check the Internet and the ads in your local newspaper. This is especially important when you buy electronic products like laptops, iPods, and digital recorders. The money you save on these purchases can add up to hundreds of dollars. Recognize that every product that has a sale tag can be bought cheaper if you are willing to do your research.
The second tip is to be aware of the best day of the week to buy clothes and other items. Some stores have sales on certain days of the week. This is done to increase the number of parents and students coming into your store. While you shop for the deals, it may be worth coming back another day. Talk to your relative who works in a retail store. They may have a discount that you can use on your purchases. There could be an additional discount on top of the sale that is taking place in the store.
Third, there are numerous websites where you can buy books at a discount. Search Google for discount book websites. Buying books online is very convenient nowadays. The books you order usually arrive in 3 to 5 days. Still, it’s best to buy books long before they’re needed. If your son/daughter needs the book to write a report, the book will be available for an early start. Also consider buying reference books so your child has books to look at when they don’t understand a particular definition or topic.
A fourth back-to-school savings tip is to shop for discounted shoes and sneakers. There are stores that sell hundreds of shoes. It is necessary to monitor prices several times a week. Sometimes local stores want to move inventory to lower their prices. Ask your child how often they talk to their peers about where they get the best discounts on sneakers.
A fifth tip is to form a group of parents who can buy some items in bulk. Parents can share pencils and paper. Create a supply storage container where you will store all the items. This is a way to avoid buying too many items that you already have. Before you go shopping, go to your stock draws and take inventory of all the things you need. You’ll be surprised how much you have stored from last year,
Now that you’ve saved hundreds of dollars, focus on your child’s education. Decide something you will do to make education fun this year. Fill your students’ backpacks with good snacks. Even high school students need snacks because they can lose energy during the day. Remember that a healthy body will improve a student’s performance on tests. Make your trip back to school full of good expectations. You can control your back-to-school expenses and have a great new school year too.