| The time is here again for that dreaded back to school | | | | wanted. |
| shopping. Many of you may dread it even more this | | | | 3. Make a budget - and stick to it. Don't be persuaded |
| year because of job lay-offs and other financial woes | | | | to add to the budget by crying pleas. |
| due to the country's' economic decline. Money has | | | | 4. Look around the house - before going shopping; look |
| therefore decreased in many households, but the cost | | | | around the house for any items that may be on the list. |
| of school supplies remain the same, or has even | | | | Look for items from the previous year and from your |
| increased. The Huntington annual survey of the cost of | | | | office. All school supplies don't have to be brand new. |
| items on school recommended lists found that the | | | | 5. Use Coupons - collect coupon for in store as well as |
| average cost to send a child to school this fall is | | | | on-line shopping. By mid-August, many retailers offer |
| approximately $474 for elementary school, $545 for | | | | large discounts, especially on shoes, clothing and |
| middle school and a an enormous $1,000 for high | | | | electronics. Don't hesitate to ask for a discount. Use a |
| school. This, for some, might at first appear | | | | valid K-12 or college ID at tech stores and you are |
| insurmountable but shopping for school supplies does | | | | likely to get a large discount. You can save hundreds |
| not have to break the bank. If you need to shop for | | | | on back to school shopping this way. |
| school on a budget, put a little thought and effort into it | | | | 6. Shop around and take advantage of sales - Check |
| and try these steps for reducing the cost of school | | | | your local newspaper for sales and take advantage of |
| supplies. | | | | them. You don't have to get everything from one |
| STEPS: | | | | store. Price Grabber allows you to compare prices |
| 1. Start early - get your school supply list early. Make | | | | from store to store. |
| sure that it is the official school recommended list so | | | | 7. Use Tax-Free shopping - Thirteen states have |
| that you will know everything that is needed. Begin | | | | "tax-free" shopping days. Find out if your state is one |
| accessing what will be needed and shopping early. For | | | | of these. |
| clothing, don't try to buy all at once. Have one nice new | | | | 8. Personalize items - Skip the book-bags and lunch |
| set of clothing for the first school week, but spread the | | | | boxes with the popular cartoon characters on them. |
| rest out over a few months. | | | | Generic versions of backpacks, book-bags and lunch |
| 2. Make a list - List everything that will be needed for | | | | boxes are much cheaper. Make the generic items |
| each child, including school recommended supplies and | | | | interesting by using stickers to personalize them. |
| clothing. Add the expected costs to the list. | | | | If you are looking for items that will last a long time, buy |
| Find out what your child needs versus what they want. | | | | from a reputable company. That way, if a zipper |
| Get what is needed and if money permits, get what is | | | | breaks, the item will be replaced at no cost to you. |