Your Budget-Friendly Back-to-School Survival Guide
As the summer comes to an end, you may be excited to break out your pumpkin spice lattes and fall decor. However, you also need to adhere to a new back to school routine for your kids. Getting children used to a new routine and getting all the new clothing and supplies they need can cost a lot of time and money. You can avoid some of the most common BTS disasters and expenses, however, by following a few budget-friendly back-to-school survival tips.
Find Your Back to School Groove
After a summer filled with fun, sun, and freedom it can be hard for parents and children to get back into their normal school-year routine. You can help everyone find their groove by following a few simple steps. Try easing everyone into their new routines early and talking to your kids about what will change as school begins. One way to get nervous kids excited about going back to school is to take them on a fun shopping trip. You can check out stores like Old Navy or Kohl’s to pick up new clothes, shoes, and even uniform pieces without breaking your budget. For parents who want to save even more, check out promo codes and sales at Old Navy, and coupon codes and cashback opportunities through Kohl’s. If you’re stocked up with plenty of outfit options to choose from, you will likely keep those last-minute clothing disasters at bay.
Make Mornings Less Stressful
Mornings will set the pace for the rest of your day, and that extends to your kids. So, get everyone off to a positive start by planning ahead. You can prep some overnight oats for breakfast and lay out some outfit options for your kids to make waking up easier, even for cranky children. If you have children who are hard to dress, being prepared can also cut out morning temper tantrums and save you a lot of grief.
Create Cozy Sleep and Study Spaces
Your kids’ rooms can also help them succeed in the new school year. You can create a perfect homework space in a corner or section of their bedroom. Be sure to set up a kid-friendly desk in an area that is free from distractions to help them study and work on projects. Lighting is also key when it comes to setting up a productive study space, as well as organization. You can use calendars and bulletin boards to keep track of assignments. Sleep is essential for studying and success, so make sure you take steps to help your kids get better back-to-school sleep. Start adjusting their sleep schedules before summer ends or keep them one the same throughout the year. You may also need to replace worn out bedding and pillows. Macy’s has quality sheets, comforters, and pillows that won’t break the bank. If you download the Macy’s app, you’ll get 25% off your first app order.
Save Money on Supplies
If you are getting your kids ready to go back to school, you may already have your school’s supply list. From scissors to pencils to paper, the list of school supplies seems to grow each year but your costs don’t have to. You can get the best school supplies for your children and still save money with a few helpful tips. Cut out gas costs and get low prices by using Amazon for your school supply needs. You can take advantage of free shipping, and you may even be able to find daily deals to save you even more. If your state offers a tax-free weekend, this is a wonderful opportunity to save, especially on big-ticket back to school items like laptops and clothing. And remember, you can also save money by taking steps to protect high-dollar products. For example, if your child will be using an iPad, either at school or at home, you can reduce the chance of damage with an OtterBox Kids EasyGrab iPad case or other kid-friendly option.
The back-to-school season doesn’t have to cause you stress. With a few money-saving tricks, you can get your kids back to school with fewer costs (and fewer problems) and get back to sipping those pumpkin spice lattes sooner.
Julie Morris
Julie Morris is a life and career coach. She thrives on helping others live their best lives. It’s easy for her to relate to clients who feel run over by life because she’s been there. After years in a successful (but unfulfilling) career in finance, Julie busted out of the corner office that had become her prison.
Today, she is fulfilled by helping busy professionals like her past self get the clarity they need in order to live inspired lives that fill more than just their bank accounts. When Julie isn’t working with clients, she enjoys writing and is currently working on her first book. She also loves spending time outdoors and getting lost in a good book.