It is back-to-school season, and it may be difficult to ignore the related sale signs. But as much as back-to-school offers can be attractive, they also can get you carried away with purchases that are overpriced, unnecessary or draining for your monthly.
A little bit of planning goes a long way, however. To ensure that you keep your spending on school supplies under control, you should begin shopping as early as possible taking advantage of summer sales. But even if you’ve missed that, you still can control your spending and even save by keeping the following points in mind:
Specific lists
Many schools make their requirements available well ahead of the beginning of the school year. Instead of going on random shopping sprees only to find that you’re still missing some items or you’ve purchases items that are not needed, try to get the school’s supply list and stick to it. In addition, having your shopping confined to the list is always recommended to ensure that you buy what really need.
In addition to the school requirements, you may have another list with items such as lunchboxes, backpack, etc. Again this list must be drafted ahead of hitting the stores. It is important that you speak to your children about what you will buy and how much is your budget to avoid impulse purchases of overpriced items.
To buy or to reuse
As you’re developing your list, you should look around for what items from past school years that still have some life left in them -- even if they will be good for a few months. Although your children may be expecting a whole new set of school items for the year, it is a good lesson to learn that items that are still functioning should be kept and reused. A little swap among siblings or immediate family or close friends perhaps can go a long way in making these items – whether it is a water bottle or a pencil holder – feel new to them.
Be creative
If everything on your list adds up to a large sum of money that falls beyond your budget, you need a little bit of creativity – and some compromises. For example, instead of buying a new computer for your child, check out alternatives like used or refurbished electronics. Similarly, small table perhaps can fill in for a desk until your budget allows or find a bargain. Being flexible can help you go through the first couple of school months without racking up a huge amount of debt on your credit card. Again, you’ll need your children’s cooperation, which will be crucial in making these decisions popular.
Similarly, delay any purchases that can be pushed down the road. For example, your child may not really need a blazer in September or even October – unless you suspect uniforms are going to run out. Even ongoing school supplies can be spread out and bought as you go. In short, although stores may appear to have the best offers on back-to-school now, the difference in prices, if any, doesn’t justify stretching yourself too thin for it.
Compare before your buy
Compare store offers before you buy. Remember the cheapest isn’t always the best when it comes to children’s gear and school supplies in general. You will need to balance quality and durability with price. To do so, check quality closely and do some “window” shopping – that you go and look first, before you buy. With doing so, you will avoid a broken backpack zipper by the end of the first week of school or a set of low-quality pencils that frustrates your children and their teachers.
In addition, make sure that you avoid branded gear. If a brand is trademarked, you’re between two choices: buying the original, for which you will pay a premium, or buying the knockoff, which is probably low-quality. Although this may be a hard sell to your children, speaking about it ahead of hitting the store can pay off.
Rania Oteify, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.
