It's back to school time again! This is an exciting time of year when you can start the new school year off right by making sure your finances are in order. However, this is often a time of anxiety for many families due to combining the stress of managing your finances with the added expenses of back-to-school items. It’s easy to get caught up in all the back-to-school sales and forget about the basics like establishing a budget, so make sure you have enough money saved for supplies and textbooks by setting realistic goals for back-to-school spending with these 5 tips!
1) Make a list of the essentials.
Follow this list diligently to make sure to avoid unnecessary small purchases that can add up. Don't let yourself be tempted by cheap sales on items you don't need. It's tempting to go home with more than one pair of jeans or more notebooks than you really need, but these small purchases can add up quickly. Instead, make sure to have a list of the things your kids absolutely must have and stick with it!
2) Don’t forget about local discount retailers with low pricing like Dollar Store or Five below.
These stores can have very competitive pricing on small items like pencils/pens/notebooks etc. You can also even shop at thrift stores or consignment shops for clothing such as TJ Maxx or Marshalls. You might find some name-brand items that are in excellent condition at a fraction of the cost of buying new clothes at the store!
3) Take advantage of shopping during your state’s sales-tax holiday.
In CT, that would save you 6.35% off your entire purchase! It might seem like a small amount but when looking at the big picture, you can take this money and save it or use it for other items that are a necessity. This year, the tax-free week is from Sunday, August 21, through Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Get more info on the official state website here:
4) Buy used books or digital copies when possible.
The average student spends over $1,000 per year on textbooks, according to a study by the Student Public Interest Research Groups. It's not hard to see how these costs add up when you consider that each class requires at least one textbook that may cost between $100 and $300. New textbooks can come at a steep price. When possible, try to find retailers that may offer used or free copies, such as Chegg or Amazon.
5) Lastly, take inventory of the things you may already have and try to avoid buying duplicates.
Things like pens/highlighters/calculators tend to be on hand but when they are out of sight, we may think they need to be added to the shopping list. Go through your house before shopping and note everything you find that you won’t need to buy again. While individual items may be cheap, finding that you already have some things on your list may save you more than you think.
If you have kids and would to teach them some fiscal responsibility, check out one of my other blogs by clicking below!
Need help making a budget for the school season? Don’t hesitate to reach out to me here or give us a call at (203)272-911!
Registered Representative of, Securities and investment advisory services offered through Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC. Registered Investment Adviser. Member FINRA/SIPC. 600 Dresher Road, Horsham PA 19044. 800-873-7637, www.htk.com. HTK is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. HTK does not offer tax or legal advice. Caserta & de Jongh, LLC is unaffiliated with HTK. For Educational Purposes Only - Not to be relied upon as financial advice. Not all topics discussed may be suitable for all investors.
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