| Stretching your dollar has never been more difficult | | | | accessories, hair clips and the like. |
| most especially with the coming opening of the school | | | | And as much as possible, do the shopping by yourself |
| year. Your kids will want so many new things, new | | | | and not with your kids in tow because they can easily |
| bag, notebooks, lunchboxes, and school shoes on top | | | | be tempted to ask you to buy some things that aren't |
| of all the things you need to pay for. Here are several | | | | really on necessary for them to start school with. |
| frugal strategies to keep your money in your pocket: | | | | 3. For clothing needs, head off to garage sales. If you |
| 1. First, you should look around whether there items | | | | think your child may need some more clothing to last |
| from the previous year that your child can still use. It's | | | | him through week after week for the whole school |
| important to look around and try to see if there is really | | | | year, shop at clearance and garage sales. There you |
| a need to buy new things. Check if the school bags | | | | can find several sweatshirts, pants, shirts, and even |
| are durable; their shoes don't have gaping holes, or | | | | shoes. Try to be very careful when picking out the |
| their lunchboxes are still useable. If you see wear and | | | | clothes, and check for tears, stains or for fraying. It's |
| tear in an item then that's the only time you can add | | | | always good to shop at garage sales because it can |
| them to your shopping list. | | | | help you stretch your budget. Especially when shopping |
| Take a long review of the items in your library or room | | | | for clothing, it is usually takes the biggest chunk. |
| for anything that you can scratch off your list. Get the | | | | 4. From now on, try to organize all your supplies and |
| rulers, pens, markers, calculators that are lying around | | | | keep track of them. All that saving will come to naught |
| your desk. | | | | if you're not careful enough. Always teach your |
| 2. Back-to-School sales are your best friend. If you | | | | children to take responsibility of their things, like keeping |
| need to shop for school supplies you need to get it as | | | | track of their calculators, clipboards, and most |
| cheap as you can. This is the time when you should | | | | especially pens. Lose it and you're going to buy |
| take advantage of store competitions. Prices go low | | | | another one, which is not good for your budget. Teach |
| and discounts go higher weeks before school opens. | | | | them to avoid losing things in school. As much as |
| Be on the look out for weekly sales in your nearest | | | | possible write your child's name and one contact detail |
| supplies shop. Get folder in a pack for just measly | | | | on pencil cases, notebooks, lunchboxes and etc. |
| cents, binders and notebooks for a dollar or less and | | | | Your kids are ready to go to school and they should |
| more. The one thing to watch out is your list. Stick to it | | | | be well prepared for everything. Help your children be |
| and don't buy anything unnecessary. Refrain from | | | | the best they can be by providing them with all the |
| buying post-its, pencil cases, complete set of | | | | best things that you and your budget can offer. |
| highlighters, or non-essentials such as key chains, | | | | |