Strategic Savings: Back-to-School Shopping

While it’s exciting for your children to stock up on new school supplies, the annual shopping trips can make a major dent in your wallet. However, back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. With these great tips, you can plan a successful trip that won’t break the bank!#1: Time It RightBack-To-School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend: August 3rd-5th.  During this weekend in August, you can write off up to $60 in clothing purchases and up to $15 in school supply purchases from next year’s taxes. Waiting until after the back-to-school shopping rush to head to the store is another savvy, timing trick that will help you save big. A few weeks after the crowds have fizzled, many of your children’s school necessities will be marked down or even on clearance racks! #2: Quality is Better Than CostWhen it comes to items that can be reused like backpacks and lunch boxes, it’s better to splurge on high-quality items with good stitching and durable material, rather than something cheap that will fall apart after just one school year. To keep her backpack lasting even longer, have your child clean out her bag each Friday. This will keep it organized and help it to last longer.#3: Gently Used is Still New to YouSave money with hand-me-downs and uniform swaps to avoid the pricey clothing spree this year. To make hand-me-downs fun, organize a clothing swap party with other families in your neighborhood or school! You can get rid of clothes your children have outgrown and acquire new pieces at the same time. #4: Plan, Plan, PlanIn the weeks leading up to back-to-school shopping, keep track of sales that stores are offering, and clip any coupons you might want to use. Collect them in an envelope, and keep them in your car or purse so they’re easy to access while you shop. #5: Get the Biggest Bang for Your BuckWhen shopping for items that need to be replaced each year — such as folders, notebooks, and pencils — check out your local dollar store or wholesale store like Costco or Sam’s Club for the best deals. #6: Stick to Your BudgetIt can be easy to go over budget when you see your child get excited about name-brand and character-themed school supplies, but these items can be much more expensive than regular supplies. Only take cash when shopping for supplies so that it’s even easier to stay on budget.Our blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Orlando private schools contact us at 407-246-4800.