| Just like salmon retuning to spawn, parents do a very | | | | session so you can confer with the teacher as to |
| similar thing at the same time every year. Towards the | | | | what the required supplies will be for the year. There is |
| end of summer, parents converge en-masse to | | | | no sense in buying items first, only to find they wont be |
| purchase school supplies for their children. This | | | | needed. |
| phenomenon is known as back to school fever and its | | | | Step 4 - Make a Budget |
| effects are felt far and wide. This has become even | | | | Determine how much you're willing to spend on school |
| more of an event in recent years as more and more | | | | supplies for your child. Now that you know what |
| products become available and children desire more | | | | exactly it is you'll need to get from the store, you can |
| and more materials for school. | | | | better estimate the costs involved. Remember, just |
| Gone are the days of a simple pencil and paper for | | | | because your child wants the ultra deluxe expensive |
| taking notes. Nowadays, children want items like mp3 | | | | binder and pen set doesn't mean they need it. A |
| players, laptop computers, multi-coloured erasable | | | | regular binder and pens will accomplish the same thing, |
| pens, highlighters, different types of binders and pretty | | | | plus as an added bonus, your child can make a regular |
| much everything in between. With all the options and | | | | binder into their very own stylized work of art. |
| apparent need for these types of supplies, what's a | | | | Step 5 - Head to the Store |
| parent to do when it comes to deciding what is truly | | | | After you've got to this point, you should have a very |
| necessary? | | | | good idea of what supplies you need to purchase. It |
| Step 1 - Make a List | | | | might be a good idea to check store flyers or |
| Based on your expectations of the upcoming school | | | | websites before heading out to see if anyone is |
| year, prepare a list of basic items you believe will be | | | | offering back to school specials or have discount |
| required. Present this list to your child to see if they | | | | coupons available. Try to stay on track while at the |
| think anything essential is missing. | | | | store. Although your children may try to sway your |
| Step 2 - Review your Current Stock | | | | purchase decisions, make sure to be strong and stick |
| After making your list, take stock of your current | | | | to your budget. It may turn out that you can afford to |
| school supplies to see what you already have. Much | | | | let your child pick a few of the items that they prefer. |
| of your list can probably be filled by checking to see | | | | So with that, you should be able to cut through all the |
| what your child has leftover from the previous school | | | | nonsense and marketing appeals and focus only on |
| year. | | | | the supplies your child actually requires for going back |
| Step 3 - Consult with your Child's Teacher | | | | to school. Make sure to confirm with your child's |
| After getting as much of your list together as you can, | | | | teacher before heading off to the store and avoid |
| attempt to contact your child's teacher before heading | | | | purchasing items your child won't need. Good luck and |
| off to the store. If need be, wait until school is back in | | | | happy back to school shopping! |