Monday, August 1, 2011
How to Simplify “Back to School” Shopping
I hope your family has had a great summer. It’s hard to believe, but it’s already time for back to school shopping! Before you stress out and overspend your budget buying unnecessary duplicates, here are some ideas on how to simplify your school shopping:
Inventory What You Already Have
- Clothing. Considering the way kids grow each year, you’re probably going to need new school clothing. So now’s a good time to clean out the closets, give away what doesn’t fit, and make a list of what you need.
There may be a few items that will fit at least part of the school year. Consider passing on the other clothing to a younger sibling or giving them to someone in need. This teaches your children to think of others rather than just throwing things away. It’s a good reminder to appreciate what you have and differentiate between what you want and what you really need.
As you sort, write a list of what you need including quantity and colors. Note which store you want to shop. Rather than buying fads, buy good quality that will last.
- School Supplies. Every year the school gives a list of required supplies. Rather than wait for the list, you can figure out basic needs and shop at supply stores for pre-season savings. Be mindful that, as your child advances a grade, their need for notebooks and such will increase. Then when the list comes out, hopefully you’ll only have a few items to grab.
Are last year’s scissors, crayons, erasers, and binders in good shape so they can be reused this year? Of course, it’s fun to just buy all new things. But if you reuse and recycle you can teach your children a valuable lesson on using resources wisely. Show them how much money you save by putting it in their piggy bank or bank account.
Create a Master Shopping List
As you’ve been jotting down what you need and making notations of what stores to shop, it’s now a simple thing to organize your master list.
- Make a Store Heading then list the items by Subject (i.e. Clothing or School Supplies) and Child’s Name (with sizes, quantities and colors noted) under each one. If there are objects you need but don’t know where to look, put them at the bottom of the list according to subject such as Other Clothing, Other School Supplies. Mark each item off as you place it in the shopping cart.
It’s better to pay a little more at one store rather than drive an hour to save a few cents at five different stores. You’ll save time, gas, and wear and tear on your nerves.
- Know the store’s return policy. Carefully examine each item before purchasing. Make sure zippers glide easily and seams are securely stitched. Keep all your receipts in an envelope marked “school shopping” in case you have to return something.
Don’t forget to give yourself a treat. While you’re concentrating on your children’s needs, why not let our team of professionals at Simplify make coping with the new school year easier for your Silicon Valley family? Contact us for a free consultation on how we can help you simplify!
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