#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! With summer coming to a close, we know exactly what you may be thinking. While it's exciting (and possibly relieving) that your kids will be out of the house, they may not feel the same! Furthermore, along with going back to school comes the stress of preparation. New classes mean new school supply lists, and the new school year could leave your kids wishing for a stylist new outfit to debut. The costs of back to school shopping can ad up quickly. But don't panic. We're here to soothe your nerves and have you back to school shopping in no time: on a budget! Check out tips on how:
Shop at home. We all have the random drawer of abandoned school supplies at our house, whether they went unused all year or they are still in great condition! Be sure to fully evaluate what you have at home before you go spend the big bucks on back to school shopping. After the school year ends, gather all the supplies your kids did or didn't use. If you find something good, store it (in a place you'll remember) for next school year. Not only limited to school supplies, checking on what clothes your kids have in their closet will also help with saving money. In doing this, you can make sure you don't over buy or just buy something you really don't need. This will keep your money spent from going waste, it will also save you money in the future!
Shop online. Many stores offer online deals that can be found on their social media sites. Follow your favorite stores on Twitter and Facebook to see what sales they will be promoting on a particular day! Amazon offers several promotional items throughout the year- checking out on the school supply section can get you some discounted items!
Coupons/Sales. Stores like Target, Walmart, Staples and even Office Depot offer back-to-school shopping list based on grades, schools, and districts. In those ads, stores offer coupons and sales for select items. This lets you easily find what you're looking for with the price tag that you love the most. No more buying unnecessary and over-prices supplies!
Get more BANG for your BUCK. Each year, kids are often asked to bring in cleaning supplies or tissues for their classrooms. If you have multiple children, the cost of all of these supplies can add up! Check out your local Dollar Store to stock up on these supplies for cheap. Furthermore, for things like folders and paper try to stick to the generic store-brand supplies. If your children aren't pleased with a solid colored, "boring" notebook or folder, get creative! Have your kids decorate with stickers or markers to make a "generic" notebook the coolest notebook in their class. Lastly, when shopping for snacks and lunches, go to stores like Costco, Bj's or Sam's Club to buy in bulk! All of this could help save money packing lunches throughout the school year should you have to make a trip to the store.
Always remember: This year, back to school shopping on a budget will be a breeze with these tips and tricks! Take on this school year like a pro. Not only will you and your kids be happy, but so will your wallet.
Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc. Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area. Learn more from our website or Facebook page.
