| Are you a parent who has a child who is going back | | | | such as a calculator, protractor, and so forth. Many of |
| to school this year? If so, are you a parent who is also | | | | the other parents or family members you know will |
| on a strict budget? If so, you might be dreading the | | | | either gladly provide you with secondhand items free |
| cost of buying school supplies. Here are a few | | | | of charge. Close friends and family members might |
| approaches you can and should try if you think you | | | | even make a trip to the local department store for |
| cannot afford back to school supplies: | | | | pencils, marker, glue, and folders. |
| Check with Teachers: Many teachers understand that | | | | Back to School Sales: For supplies that need to be |
| parents are on a strict budget due to the economy. | | | | purchased new, it is best to keep an eye on local |
| You will also find that many parents who are financially | | | | sales. For example, students in kindergarten, first grade, |
| okay will send in additional supplies. For example, say | | | | and second grade always need crayons and colored |
| that Sarah needs two boxes of crayons or packs of | | | | pencils. At back to school time, stores like Wal-Mart |
| pencils, her parents might send four into the class. You | | | | have 24 packs of Crayola crayons for 25 cents each! |
| may not get 100% of supplies taken care of this | | | | If you don't already have a back to school supply list, |
| method, but it will significantly shorten your must buy list. | | | | contact your school and tell them you need to know |
| Back to School Drives: A growing number of churches, | | | | as many supplies ahead of time as possible so you |
| schools, and non-profit organizations host school supply | | | | are able to take advantage of those sales. |
| drives. For a good percentage of the summer, they | | | | Free on Craigslist: Craigslist and other classified |
| take donations from anyone in the community. These | | | | websites are home to many great deals and a lot of |
| donation boxes are often displayed in local stores. If | | | | free stuff. Consider looking here. While hit or miss, you |
| you see a box, look at the name on the box. Then, | | | | really have nothing to lose. Look for free or cheap |
| contact the school district, the church or the non-profit | | | | bags of clothing, look for crayons, markers, and folders. |
| organization in question. Let them know about your | | | | Yes, you will even find these on Craigslist as some |
| financial situation and state that you cannot afford | | | | parents buy too much and then decide just to give |
| back to school supplies. Your child will likely be signed | | | | these items away. So visit Craigslist.org and then |
| up for their drive. | | | | search or browse your local city page. Other classified |
| Friends and Family: While you might not want to ask | | | | websites can be found with a standard internet |
| for handouts, it might be one of your few options if | | | | search. |
| you cannot afford the supplies needed for your child. | | | | There are just a few of the many ways that you can |
| Asking friends and family is particularly ideal for back | | | | get free or cheap back to school supplies for your |
| to school clothes, shoes, backpacks, and math supplies, | | | | child when on a tight budget. |