KERRI SCARLETT: Money saving tips for back-to-school
| Monday, Aug 16 2010 10:48 AM
Last Updated Monday, Aug 16 2010 10:50 AM
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Felix Adamo / The Californian Kerri Scarlett, founder of saveathomemommy.com, in front of packaged goods she stocks up on when she finds them on sale.
It's that time of the year again. While many parents are overjoyed at the distant sound of school bells, others are not looking forward to the dreaded back-to-school shopping. Preparing your kids for a new school year can be fun and exciting, but overspending on all the new gear can quickly drain the excitement and leave you with unnecessary debt. Times are tight right now and everyone is looking for ways to spend less money. The good news is that frugality is in. Being frugal doesn't mean that your kids' books will be covered in brown paper bags, or that your son will be wearing his big sisters' hand-me-down jeans. Frugality is about using your money wisely and making it go further.
Here are some tips to help you save money while starting your kids' school year off right.
Search your house before spending a dime: Before you even leave your house, check desks, nightstands and closets. There could be scissors, unopened bottles of glue or protractors just waiting to be reactivated for a new year. Take stock of what clothes still fit and any that you may have gotten at the end of last season. This will keep you from spending money on items you don't really need.
Set a budget and stick to it: Most of us probably don't set a budget for school shopping. We buy whatever is on the list and the new clothes our kids think they need. Instead, look at what they really need and set a realistic budget. This may leave little room for a new designer wardrobe or the most expensive character backpack that your child just "has to have." If your child finds this hard, allow them the privilege of contributing the amount over your budget by earning extra money or using some of their allowance. There is much to be said for teaching our children to budget and use their money wisely.
Compare prices: While doing all your shopping at one store could save you time and possibly some gas, buying the lowest priced items at several stores could save you a lot of money. Check your child's list of supplies, and then figure out which store has those items for the lowest price. It may take you a couple of weeks to accumulate them all but if you follow the cycle of sales leading up to the big day, you will be able to get most of your list for a fraction of what you would have spent.
Use coupons: One of the best ways to save money while shopping today is to use coupons. First, find where you can find the item for the lowest price. Then find a manufacturers' coupon for the item and match it up with the same store's coupon if you can find one. Most stores allow one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item. You can find coupons for school supplies online and in your Sunday newspaper inserts. When all of these savings methods are used on one item, they can often be found for free. Use coupons for clothing as well. Many retailers send out coupons in the mail or have printable coupons on their websites or Facebook pages. Consider buying high-quality second hand clothes at consignment sales or online.
Stockpile your school supplies: Don't just think about the first few weeks or months; consider what your child will use in a year's time. Buy enough now to keep you from running out months down the road and overspending when items are no longer on sale.
Quality can save you money: Buying the "cheapest" pack of crayons or other supplies can sometimes cost you more in the long run when they break or run out faster than the higher quality ones. With the current rock bottom prices on school supplies, look for the 25-cent pack of Crayola crayons that will last much longer than the store brand that may be gone in a week.
Following these tips can help you earn an "A" in money management, as well as some extra savings in your pocket. For help comparing prices and matching coupons and sales for the best deals, check out SaveAtHomeMommy.com for a weekly price chart and coupon match-ups at local stores.
-- Kerri Scarlett is a stay-at-home-mom of two who lives in Bakersfield. Her money-saving mom blog, www.SaveAtHomeMommy.com, focuses on finding the best deals and money saving tips families can use every day. These are Scarlett's opinions, not necessarily those of The Californian.
