Last week I went to the store to pick up a few groceries that I needed and to my surprise the school section was already out. While it feels like summer break just started kids, parents, and guardians will be preparing for another school year.
Back-to-school supplies can really add up, especially when purchasing for more than one child. While there is a lot of excitement around the start of another school year it can also bring a lot of stress financially for families.
When planning for back to school, create a list of what each child needs. Are there items that can be purchased later in the year? Does your child have items that can be reused from last year?
After you create your back-to-school list consider your budget. Think of your household income, as well as all your monthly expenses. After your expenses determine how much you can spend on back-to-school items for each child.
A lot of stores mark down items after the school year starts to clear out their school supply section. Consider waiting to purchase items that your student might not need till later in the year. If your budget allows, consider buying items you know they might need for the following year.
Take advantage of sales and deals. Ohio’s sales tax holiday will start at 12 a.m. on Friday, August 7th until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 9th. The exemption will apply to all items of clothing priced at $75 or less, school supplies priced at $20 or less, and school instructional materials priced at $20 or less.
For more information on items that qualify visit tax.ohio.gov
Many secondhand stores will have back to school sections, consider thrifting items such as books, clothing, sports equipment, and even new school supplies.
Also consider if your child plans to eat lunch at school or pack. Planning out lunches and snacks ahead of time for the weak can help cut back on food waste and expensive prepackaged lunch items.
Back-to-school is also a great time to practice financial literacy with children. Teaching them the importance of creating a budget and shopping for deals. Create a shopping list and have the discussion about shopping for deals, wants vs needs, and comparing prices.
While we can’t eliminate back to school expenses we can think about ways to save, budget, and get kids involved.
Kaitlynn Tonn is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or tonn.13@osu.edu
CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaes.osu.edu/nondiscrimination. For an accessible format of this publication, visit cfaes.osu.edu/accessibility
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.