Summertime is winding down. Teachers are prepping to return to their classrooms and start decorating. School supply lists are starting to surface. A new school year is right around the corner.
A new school year means only one thing – back-to-school shopping is almost here! Which means you’ll be sending your students back into the classroom before you know it.
According to the Huntington Backpack Index, in the 2018-2019 school year, the amount parents paid in back-to-school supplies was estimated as follows:
- $637 elementary school kids,
- $941 for middle school children, and
- $1,355 for high school students
There’s no way around it – school shopping is expensive. But, it doesn’t have to be. Much like financial planning, saving on back-to-school shopping requires a plan as well. With the right planning and preparation, back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to break the bank.
Take inventory
Before you go shopping and buy a bunch of supplies, take inventory of your house. Check drawers and cabinets to see what supplies you have that can be used again. Look at backpacks, lunchboxes and even school clothes from last year to see what can be kept and what needs to be replaced. From there, make a list and determine what your child needs and what you have.
Get the school’s supply list
Generally, retailers like Target and Walmart usually have copies of the supply lists divided by grade, school, and district, and those lists are usually available online before they’re in the store. Check the lists, do a little research regarding prices and make a budget accordingly. You can check with your child’s teacher to make sure you’re getting the most important items.
Don’t forget about discount stores and couponing
Do you want to save some real money? Purchase things like notebooks, pencils, and paper at discount stores. If you’re into couponing, you can save some big bucks there as well. Poke around the internet and see where the deals are before you hit the stores.
Take advantage of tax-free weekend
The tax-free weekend is a prime opportunity to save on back-to-school supplies. Depending on the states’ tax rate, shoppers can save anywhere from 4% up to about 9%. Tax-free weekend is held each year to coincide with the back-to-school season. Not sure when your state’s tax-free weekend is? Click here to find out.
If you want to see actual savings, don’t go into back-to-school shopping without a plan. Rather than charging up your high-interest credit card, talk with us about a loan with a plan that works for you. You’d be amazed at the savings you find.
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. For help or questions about savings, check with any of our experts at Welcome Federal Credit Union.
Stop by our branch or call us at (919) 474-3240