Curb the cost of school shopping

   August is here and that means getting ready for the upcoming school year. Back-to-school preparation can be as costly as any special holiday or celebration with the required list of supplies and all the “cool” stuff the kids want. Here is a list of some ideas that can help keep the cost down, while meeting needs and wants for your students:
    —Take an inventory: After emptying out last year’s school bags that were brought home, look at what can be used again. Look through offices, drawers, bookshelves and closets for stored pencils, pens, crayons, glue, etc. that may have been saved and forgotten.
    Do a clothing inventory to see what essential items will need to be bought before school. It is possible that older siblings may be able to hand down a few items to younger siblings.
    —Negotiate: Maybe plan to buy new backpacks and lunch bags on an alternating-year plan. Many of these items last more than one year and do not need to be replaced yearly. So, have the student pick their favorite bag, but then they know that will be used for at least two years.
    —Plan all year: Remember to shop bargains after the mad rush for school supplies in August. School supplies will be sold at a discount throughout the year and can be saved for the following year.
    —Shop later: By waiting for sales that arrive in September you could get the cool clothes, bags and shoes at a cheaper price, while avoiding the mall and store crowds.

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