Back to school, not back to broke.

Another school year’s right around the corner and it’s almost time to jump back into the grind: waking up at the crack of dawn, catching the bus, making lunches, after-school drop offs/pick ups – you know the drill. Going back to school also means back-to-school spending. Like stocking up on supplies and buying some fresh clothes for the kids. But you don’t have to break the budget setting the little ones up for success. The Examiner provides a short list of ideas to save you some cash – and perhaps give you some peace of mind – when back-to-school shopping.

Our lesson for the day? Don’t cave to the kids, at least not all the time. Of course, they’ll tell you they just have to have only the coolest name-brand clothes and backpacks. We remember what it’s like to be young, but remember that discount stores often have the same brands, or similar styles, for way less cash. Clothes, especially for young children, should be durable. Let’s be honest – the kids’ duds are going to get trashed quickly (if they don’t actually outgrow them first). Tempera paint and spaghetti sauce can ruin a fresh white tee no matter how much it cost. So put a cap on the budget from the get-go. Take advantage of bargain basements and online deals. Then, review the receipts and give yourself a gold star for a job well done.

Tags: Back to School, Shopping