This is actually the first year for me where I have, not one, but two children in school. Sure, the youngest won’t need the books and pencils, or any of the other stuff that the higher grades needs but he will need new clothes and two pairs of running shoes (like my other son, he likes to grow end of summer, just in time for September and new shoes times two).

With just the cost of clothes, I am going to be out many pretty pennies and as hard as I pinch them, they never seem to stay in hand.

There is a relief to back to school expenses and although you won’t spend less, you will actually spend it over a period of time, which gives you a chance to spend less and also a chance to feel like you are spending much less than the year before.

The Clothes:

Yes, the clothes, how I hate those clothes. It’s not that I don’t enjoy shopping for clothes but the cost can be heart wrenching. The kids need the latest in style and nothing in their closet fits right anymore (even if they happen to have a ton of outfits that still fit and look great.) The first thing you need to do is cut the fat when it comes to clothes. Look at what they really need and get rid of the rest.

Once you have a list of what they need, mark it with a level of importance. Anything that isn’t a “stat” item, can be shelved until the previous month or the next pay check. This means, you won’t have a heart attack when you step up to the cashier.

The “stat” items can still cost a fair amount so start breaking out those flyer’s. Find out what’s on sale, when and where and then sit back and wait. Don’t settle for the most expensive item, no matter how much your child whines, since all the items will go on sale before you know it.

If it is possible, purchase one or two items for the first couple days of school and then hold off on buying the rest of the clothes until the back to school sales start. These are the real sales when retailers are trying to unload their large amount of back to school items that they purchased.

This same policy applies to the actual school supplies.

The Supplies

As I just mentioned, one way to save is to work on the “stat” items. Figure out what you need right away and then hold off buying everything else until they are on sale.

If you are lucky, your school will be like my son’s where they give the list after school starts. Another trick that they utilize is to have a list sent out over the course of the school year. This reporting term, we are studying about (blank) and your child will need etc., etc., etc. This cuts up the cost of school supplies throughout the year.

When in doubt, check with the teacher. If she (or he) can give you an idea of what is imperative, then you can plan to save.

The School Itself

I have come to the realization that school is not free. Sure, they spout public education as free education but anyone who has to buy the hot lunches, the milk, school pictures, school fund raisers and all the other reasons why you need to send a check into the school, know the fact; sending your kids to school isn’t cheap.

A great way to offset the costs of all the beginning of the year expenses is to discuss with your child what they want. If they don’t drink the milk at noon, then don’t waste the money. Same goes for hot lunches. if they are for all the extras, and you can afford it, by all means do so but save yourself from a big payment by stretching it over the school year. Many schools will send new order forms home after each reporting period. Even still, those checks can be pretty big so brace yourself.

if you have any money saving tips for back to school, please feel free to post here or email me at sirena_vanschaik@yahoo.ca.

Sirena Van Schaik

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