In the midst of summer, it's unlikely that your youngsters are thinking about going back to school. In fact, it's probably the furthest thing from their minds, right? However, early July sees the transition in seasonal displays at the local department store, and Independence Day party supplies are traded out, in favor of notebooks, rulers, pens, pencils, and backpacks. Sales are around the corner, and your budget cringes at the costs!
Everything from back to school fashion, to back to school packs, can be fun, or challenging. Planning helps, so here are some tips for getting your lists together in advance.
1. Check with your chÃld's school for supply lists. By the end of July, my small town department store has lists available at the store entrance, which makes it easy for parents to look at their own school's expectations, without having to go out of their way. If you are in a larger town or city, this may not be the case. However, you can contact the specific schools to inquire about a back to school supply list. You can also check out school websites, if they exist, to find out more.
If your school doesn't have a supply list, you can refer to the "School Supplies List" page of this blog, for a basic rundown of needed items. Your child will most likely receive a school supply list the first day of school, but by that time, many of the best sales are past.
2. Once you have a good list of supplies, watch your local circulars for sales. Notebooks, paper, folders, and writing/drawing supplies, will usually be at their best prices of the year during the month of July, and during the first 2 weeks of August. This is the time to stock up.
3. Back to School Clothes are customarily purchased during these same months. Great deals are advertised on socks, underwear, and jeans, particularly. Mid-July is the time to sort through your kids' closets and drawers, pulling out clothes that are damaged, outgrown, or otherwise inappropriate.
Make a list for each child of needs, and start watching the sales. Depending on your children's interests and ages, you will want to include them in the selection. Set a budget, and help them to comparison shop, as they consider their choices.
4. Back to School for older children means equipment beyond notebooks and filler paper. Your tweens and teens may need calculators, depending on age, and study level. Likewise, word processing becomes a big part of life for students at upper levels, those who will need to write papers. Whereas 30 years ago a typewriter was essential, now, a computer is necessary for paper writing. Trips to the library are often less useful in research, than access to online resources. You will want to think about your back to school computer needs, as you plan for your shopping.
5. Back to School meal planning is important, as well. You may want to make it easy, and allow your kids to buy lunches. However, many parents prefer the nutritional benefits, as well as economical, when it comes to packing a lunch. An age appropriate lunch tote or lunch box is important, and your elementary aged children will, no doubt, want something that reflects their interests. Older children may be a different story, where character lunch totes give way for something simple. Food containers, and thermoses, make it possible to pack hot foods, leftovers, and economical drinks. As you decide on an approach for the coming year, make sure to plan for the best relevant supplies.
Back to school is a fun time, exciting, and a little sad, as the freedom of summer draws to a close. Don't miss some of the best online sales, in the midst of your research, as there are often great values available in your shopping.
