School is almost back in session, and getting your kids (or yourself) all the necessary gear is expensive. Shoppers plan to spend an average of $662 on back-to-school supplies this year, according to our recent survey. But the costs don’t end after the first day of school. Planning for back-to-school shopping is the easy part for me — but creating a plan for the popup expenses throughout the year is more challenging.
Whether it’s paying for new uniforms because your son grew a few inches overnight, field trips or replacement supplies, additional costs always hit my wallet throughout the year — and it can throw off my budget if I’m not careful.
That’s why I’m already preparing for the surprise costs I know are coming. So is Alaina Fingal, a certified financial coach, accountant and mom of two school-age kids. Here’s how we’re planning ahead.
Don’t wait, start saving now
Chances are, your kids will need more items throughout the school year to cover the unexpected expenses, Fingal is a big fan of stashing a little bit of money every paycheck to stay prepared.
“$20 to $25 can go a long way when your child comes home and they need extra money for a field trip or it’s Valentine’s Day, and they want to get their friends cards.”
Usually by the time Fingal’s kids need the money, she’s saved $100 to $150 to put toward the expense. And you can stash your money in a high-yield savings account to earn interest in the meantime. Regularly setting aside money can help you avoid blowing your budget and keep money on hand for the school deals you may find for your kids.
Shop clearance in advance
I loved Spirit Week and special themed days at school when I was a kid, but I never thought about the cost my parents paid until my son started school. Pajama Day, Disney Character Day and Superhero Day are all events he loves, but I’ll never forget paying nearly $20 for a Spider-Man shirt in Target the night before my son needed it.
I promised never to do that again. Now, I look at the school calendar ahead of time to plan for any clothing or supplies he might need throughout the year. I check the clearance racks for any discounted items to save money.
After the holidays end, look for clearance items so you can stock up on things like Valentine’s Day cards, Halloween costumes, pajamas, and outfits. Guessing what size your child will fit into the following year may be a bit of a gamble, so my advice is to size up. They can always grow into bigger clothes.
You can use this same approach for regular back-to-school shopping. If you don’t need to buy everything for the first day of school, wait until back-to-school sales end. You can get some items, like glue, construction paper and markers, on clearance when the back-to-school sales at big box retailers are over. You can stash any items you get in a bin that you can put away for next school year too.
Shop your home
When special events or projects come up, my first thought is to go to the store. But I’m trying to save money by checking at home first.
For example, Read Across America Day is in March. My son’s school always asks him to bring his favorite book and dress like the character. Buying a new outfit or costume can add up, so I usually use his Halloween costume and match it with a book he already has. For example, last year, he was a dinosaur and paired it with one of his many dinosaur books. Plus, he got one more wear out of his costume from months prior.
Crazy Sock Day is another popular day at my son’s school. Rather than buying a new pair of socks, he’ll likely use only once, I’m making a pair with him at home. You can turn this into a fun activity with your child by adding pom poms, crazy eyes and drawing with fabric markers on a pair of socks they already have.
Get basics at wholesale clubs
Throughout the year, you may be asked to send additional supplies, such as tissues, disinfectant wipes, pencils, post-it notes, dry-erase markers, etc. Rather than scrambling to pay full price at Target or a drugstore, I try to stock up during one of my regular wholesale trips.
Getting supplies from a wholesale club like Costco or Sam’s Club can save you money. For instance, right now I can get a five-pack of Clorox disinfecting bleach-free wipes (85 wipes per pack) for $15.18 (until Aug. 18). Target has a three-pack of the same wipes (75 wipes per pack) for $13. For $2 more, you can get 200 more wipes.
Since you often have to buy a larger amount at wholesale clubs, you could either stock up for the next year or two or split the cost with other parents to save even more. That’s what Fingal does. She’s part of a mom group that buys school supplies in bulk for all of the children so they can save a little extra. Instead of spending her typical $100 per child, she was able to slash her costs in half to $50 per child this year.
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