Nobody wants to send their child to school and waste a big amount on their utensils. Buying school supplies for kids going back to school is not an easy task. What to buy? What to spend? How can you save money when buying school supplies? These questions leave most parents speechless, often, penniless. So how does one go about this arduous task without going broke? Here are some life hacks on how to save up money when buying school supplies for the kids going back to school:
MAKE A BUDGET
The budget would comprise a list of everything the child would need and their current market price. Make sure to include everything necessary for the child’s survival in school. Also, remember to check the house for things you already have before making the budget.
BUY IN BULK FOR FUTURE USE
Nobody wants to go to the market to buy one single pen, only to return to the market when the ink dries up. Buying in bulk would reduce the price of the commodity and avail the parent the responsibility of buying the same commodity in the near future.
SET BOUNDARIES
Most parents tend to overload their kids with supplies, often, at the kid’s demand. A child may want a new backpack even when the old one is still useful. A parent should not always succumb to these requests. Check out the things that are still useful and omit them from the budget.
SHOP IN ADVANCE
Back to school sales begin almost immediately as the schools resume and the stores are stocked with new supplies. At this time, prices are usually high because everyone is buying. To avoid the rush and save money, buy in advance when prices are low. The Works is a store that sells school supplies at a very affordable price.
SHOP WITH ANOTHER PARENT
Look for a parent whose child needs the same supplies as yours and shop with them. Make your budget together, shop together then divide the supplies after. This way, no one person bears the burden alone, and money is saved.
STICK TO THE BUDGET
Make a budget, and stick to it when you get to the store. Other things might catch your attention, but let your budget be like Jehovah’s word, heaven and earth may pass away, but his word will not return to him void.
KEEP THE KIDS AT HOME
A child’s demands in the marketplace are unending. Sometimes, a parent might be influenced to buy something they did not budget for just because the child is crying to have it. So the best way to avoid this situation is to leave the child at home. Do the shopping alone. This would save time, energy and money.
When shopping for school supplies, most parents spend a lot of their money and still end up not getting all of the necessary supplies. Follow the above hacks diligently and save some money when shopping for school supplies.