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6 Tips for Going Back to School on a Budget

July 29, 2016 by Lisa Park + Leave a Comment

6 Tips for Going Back to School on a Budget

It’s almost time for kids to be going back to school, and back-to-school shopping can be hard on your wallet and can be a huge expense when it comes to spending money on the kids. Buying new school supplies, clothes, shoes, backpacks, lunch boxes, and electronics adds up quickly and can be expensive.

Watch the video below about 6 tips for going back to school on a budget. If you can’t see the video, head over to my YouTube channel here.

You can also read the post below with the 6 tips on how to budget for back to school.

1. Set a Budget

You probably knew I would say this first. It’s important to set a budget so you don’t overspend or go into debt. Set a dollar amount that you can afford for each child for all of the back-to-school necessities and don’t spend more than the set amount.

To help you plan ahead, determine how much you spend on back-to-school items each year and set aside money each month for these back-to-school expenses. Since school will be back in session soon, you can still begin saving money now from each paycheck over the next month or two to help with the costs.

2. Shop at Home

Shop at home first by walking around the house and seeing what items you have that are on your children’s school lists. Rulers, backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil boxes or pencil sharpeners don’t need to be replaced if they are still in good condition. Once you know what items are still in good condition, write a list of items you still need to purchase.

Every year, I stock up on school supplies when they are on sale and have a container in my basement where I keep them. When I receive the school supplies list, I go downstairs and am able to collect many of the items on the list.

3. Plan with Your Kids

Plan a back-to-school shopping trip with you kids by first sitting down with each child and creating a list of what school supplies and clothes are needed for the school year. Discuss the items that they need and what they want. This can be an opportunity to teach your children to understand needs from wants.

An example list could include: 2 new pants, 5 new shirts, 1 sweatshirt, 1 jacket, 2 pair of shoes and a new backpack. If you have a list when you go shopping together, your children will be less likely to ask for everything they see, and it will be easier to say no.

4. Shop the Sales

Watch the weekly sales ads closely and then head to those stores to purchase the best deals on school supplies. Don’t purchase all of your school supplies at one store, just buy the best deals, such as those $0.25 crayons or $0.20 notebooks, and leave the store. Continue to watch for more sales and buy what’s on sale each week.

You might be tempted to purchase extra school supplies or additional clothes for your kids, but this could be bad for your back-to-school budget. Stick to your shopping list and only buy what you need so you don’t go over your budget.

5. Be Patient

Wait to go shopping for clothes and additional back-to-school supplies until after school starts, then shop the back-to-school clearance sales to get an even better deal on clothes and back-to-school supplies. I know it’s hard for kids to not have all new outfits the first week of school, so maybe compromise and get one new outfit that you find on sale or purchase with coupons, but then wait until after school starts to get the rest of the items.

6. Go Shopping and Allow Children to Make Shopping Decisions

Make this an enjoyable and fun outing with your children. Allow them to help with shopping decisions, but teach them to find deals and look at the sales. If they really want expensive name brand jeans, then shop at second hand stores for some of the other clothing. Explain to them that if they end up going over budget, then they will need to use their money to pay for the school items. Those expensive name brand jeans might not be as important to them if they realize they have to pay for them. This is a great opportunity to help them learn how to budget.

What are ways you budget for back to school?

And here is a video I did about back-to-school shopping after school starts:

You might also like to read these articles:

How I Saved More Than 50 on Eyewear Final

How I Saved More Than 50% on Eyewear

Children's Clothing Save Money

7 Ways to Save Money on Children’s Clothing

Ways to Save Money on School Lunch

7 Ways to Save Money on School Lunches

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7 Tips to Save Money in College

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DIY Magnetic Chore Chart

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

#strawberryshortcake #strawberryshortcakecake #strawberries #strawberrycake #shortcake #homemadestrawberryshortcake #homemadeshortcake
Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe
Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

#strawberryshortcake #strawberryshortcakecake #strawberries #strawberrycake #shortcake #homemadestrawberryshortcake #homemadeshortcake
Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe
Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, bu Staying on a grocery budget can be challenging, but your monthly grocery budget has an impact on your overall financial situation, so it’s important to learn how to stay on a grocery budget.

1. Determine a grocery budget that will work for your family.

A recommended starting point for a grocery budget is $125 per family member per month. But take into consideration your family situation, where you live, and your dietary needs. Every family is different and will have a different grocery budget.

2. Break your monthly grocery budget down into how much you can spend each week.

This makes it easier to know how much money you can spend weekly when you go into the grocery store.

3. Use cash to control spending

You are less likely to add extra items to your shopping cart and are more likely to stick with the items on your list so you have enough cash to cover the purchases.

4. Keep track and review spending

Keep your receipts and write down how much money you spend. Keep track of purchases either every time you go to the grocery store or at the end of each week.

5. Keep trying, keep practicing, and adjust as needed

Staying on a grocery budget takes work every month, so keep trying, keep working at it, and adjust things as needed.

For more tips to stay on a grocery budget, use the link below or message me.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/02/03/9-tips-how-to-stay-on-a-grocery-budget/

#grocerybudgeting #groceriesshopping
#groceryshop #groceryshoppingtips #grocerybudget #grocerytips
This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mo This Strawberry Shortcake recipe is perfect for Mother's Day or during the summer months. It's a recipe that has been a part of my family for years. My mother would make this homemade strawberry shortcake every summer. It's so good! 

Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2020/04/22/easy-homemade-strawberry-shortcake-recipe/

#strawberryshortcake #strawberryshortcakecake #strawberries #strawberrycake #shortcake #homemadestrawberryshortcake #homemadeshortcake
Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so n Having freezer meals on hand for busy days is so nice. Many times, while I am making dinner, I'll double the batch and eat one meal for dinner and then freeze one meal for later. This Spaghetti Casserole is one of those meals.

I don't always have one day where I can make 10+ freezer meals at one time. I found it's easier and more manageable for me to double the batch of a meal that I'm already cooking for my family and to freeze that second meal that I know would be a good freezer meal too.

Use the link below or message me for 7 freezer meals that my family loves.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/03/7-make-ahead-freezer-meals/

#freezermeals #freezermeal #freezermealprep #freezermealsmadeeasy #makeahead #makeaheadmeals #dinnerideas
Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Mother's Day is coming up, and these Tissue Paper Flowers are a sweet and thoughtful gift to give to a mother or grandmother. These flowers also make great party decorations for upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, and summer gatherings. And it doesn't cost too much to make them.

Message me for a link to the tissue paper tutorial or use the link below.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2017/03/27/tissue-paper-flowers-tutorial-video/

#tissuepaperflowers #tissuepaperflower #tissuepaperflowertutorial #mothersdayflowers #mothersdayflower #mothersday #flowers #fakeflowerslastforever
A budget app is a great tool for managing your mon A budget app is a great tool for managing your money, sticking to a budget, and reviewing your spending habits to identify where money might be wasted. Try one of these budget apps to get a better handle on your finances:

Mint
EveryDollar
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
GoodBudget

For more info about these budget apps, use the link below or message me, and I'll send you the link.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2018/01/19/9-best-budget-apps-keep-track-finances/

#budgetapp #budgetapps #personalfinances #keeptrackoffinances #finances #financegoals
These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious These Crock Pot Shredded Beef Tacos are delicious and are another easy recipe to add to the slow cooker quickly. 

On busy days, I'll put this in the crock pot, set it, and leave it until we get home for dinner. All I have left to do before we eat is shred the beef and cut up tomatoes and lettuce.

Message me for the recipe, or use the link below.
 https://savingcentbycent.com/2019/09/26/the-best-crock-pot-shredded-beef-tacos/

#crockpot #slowcooker #shreddedbeef #shreddedbeeftacos #crockpotshreddedbeef #easydinner #easydinnerrecipes #easydinnerrecipe

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