Back to School

So it is almost time for back to school. Here in small town upstate NY the kids return to school on September 5th. I'm sure all you mothers and fathers out there stress over the cost of school supplies and the list of supplies needed goes up every year but I learned to bargain shop for the kids basic supplies and splurge on their clothes and heavy duty backpacks.

Sure, the kids love the cute back packs with the cool characters on them from Wal-Mart and the dollar store, but they are worth what you pay...if you go cheap, you will be buying more of them later in the school year!!! I look at the seams and the zippers of the kids backpacks before I let them pick what they want. I stay away from the plastic zippers since those usually break or split in the first couple months (weeks for my son) of school. I also buy the extra coverage plan if it is available (K-Mart and Sears has it for $7) and their backpacks are covered for a year!
 
The supplies I usually buy on sale at the end of school shopping season for the next year, but I can't always guarantee I will remember where they are! If buying new, I look at sale papers and determine the best places to buy each item...NEVER buy them all at one place!!! If you are shopping for a High School student, go to BJ's or Sam's Club for the paper and note books. Buying in bulk means they are ready for the whole year and you don't have to rush out and buy loose leaf paper at 9pm because your child is out and has a paper due the next morning!!! For the younger kids I would suggest buying the notebooks at the dollar store or Wal-Mart. If they like the ones with the characters on them, allow them one or two to start with and go back when everything is on sale to get more. The crayons and other writing utensils are usually best at Wal-Mart or K-Mart for quality and price, but once again if buying for the older students, go to the big whole sale stores and buy in bulk!
 
The kids clothes are the most expensive, especially for the younger ones that hit that growth spurt in the middle of summer and have NOTHING that fits them!!! Shopping sales all summer is a good idea for older kids and teens that you know have already hit their spurt but for the younger ones I would suggest getting a few outfits for the start of school and add more to it each week until they are fully loaded with all the essentials! Another great way to get clothes and spread out payments is to do Lay-A-Way! K-Mart has a great Lay-A-Way program for the start of school and the payments are affordable...especially when you have to get new EVERYTHING!!!

 Kids shoes you should ALWAYS spend extra on since they are roughest on their foot wear and the pricier name brands hold up the best. If you buy cheap and have to get new every few months they add up to more than a name brand pair in the end!!!






Now that you are spent (physically and financially) and your kids are ready for the new school year, sit back and take time for your self!!! Remember that not only are your kids getting a great education but you can take a day off work and have a little pampering yourself!!! Enjoy the shopping and the free time. I will!!!