By Mary Andersen – Freelance Ghostwriter

It’s that time again. Autumn is around the corner, the buses are back on their routes, and kids are out of the pool and back in the classroom. This time of year all parents feel the dent in the budget with back to school expenses.

First there’s supplies to be bought; new clothes, textbooks, backpacks, new shoes, paper, notebooks, binders, crayons, scissors, calculators, and so on.

Once school starts, it seems the entire first two weeks consist of multiple forms sent home daily to be filled out and returned, usually along with a check. There’s money for school T-shirts, a yearbook, chemistry lab insurance fees, club dues, cheerleading, football, fundraising, and the list goes on.

I may have even written a small check once to send because I check marked a box next to the phrase, “Yes, I read this.” Don’t despair. We all pull through in the end.

If you are looking for ways to save on school supplies, hopefully this post will help. Also, feel free to contribute your own ideas; we’d love your input.

Tax Free Weekend

Not every city/county/state sponsors a tax free shopping weekend, but if yours does it can help ease the burden of purchasing back to school supplies. The amount of savings, naturally, is relevant to how much is purchased, so this is not a huge money saver for everyone.

There are also stipulations and they vary by locale, so be sure to check before you head to the stores. In our area, the following currently fall under the tax exempt category:

• Clothing items under $100
• Textbooks and school supplies priced $50 or less
• Other books priced at $30 or less
• Computers and computer equipment priced at $750 or less
• City parking meters are “gratis” during tax free weekend (No Fines)

The items that are not included in the tax exempt category include:

• Clothing accessories (handbags, jewelry, umbrellas, sunglasses)
• Sports and recreational equipment
• Furniture
• Video games

In addition to tax free weekend, there are some other ways to save money on school supplies.

1. Stick to the List

Kids get all excited with the “back to school” shopping bug, and all the brightly colored supplies tempt them. You want to encourage their eagerness about going back to school, but they must understand there are limits.

I used to let my daughter select a few items not on the list (she’s in college now), such as highlighters, mechanical pencils, fancy binders, and higher grade writing pens, but extra supplies were allowed only within reason.

I also discovered over the years that the lists that appear in the stores based on school district and grade level often contain supplies the kids really don’t need.

If an item seemed questionable, I generally held off until school started and had my daughter ask the teacher if it was absolutely necessary.

In middle school science, my daughter’s teacher told her to purchase a circuit tester from the auto parts supplier, but that’s a post for another day.

2. The Backpack

It is tempting to head to the cheapest backpacks in the store, but I decided after purchasing multiple bags mere weeks into the school year due to durability failure, there had to be a better way. I stopped cutting corners on the backpack.

It is unreal what these kids are required to tote on their backs, and they need a durable backpack to do it. I found L.L. Bean® backpacks to cost more than many other bags, but they lasted not only throughout one year of tough use, but several.

Sure, no kid wants a hand me down backpack (I know; I was 4th in 5 on the hand me down list), but they have other uses after your student grows tired of them.

They are great for travel, picnics, and ballgames; my daughter used her old pack to hold the pet care and car washing supplies she used in her neighborhood business.

3. The Brand Name Dilemma

When my daughter was in the elementary years, this was not a big deal. I could pick out clothes, bring them home, she was thrilled. Enjoy that while it lasts!

When they reach a certain age, the “brand name dilemma” hits. They just can’t bear to be seen wearing or carrying a generic brand of anything, including handbags, shoes, jackets, clothing, jewelry, etc.

Depending on cost and quality, I always try to compromise in this area; my daughter has always been very responsible and she takes care of her things. I do believe, though, that the key word here is compromise.

If “brand name” is that important to them, they should be willing to give something in return. This can be extra work around the house, or giving up an outing or part of their allowance to contribute toward the higher cost of the item.

4. Use Coupons Wisely

Find out which stores accept competitor’s coupons and which ones don’t. Find out which stores price match. Some stores will accept their own coupon along with a manufacturer’s coupon on an item; others won’t. You can find out many store policies online, so do a little research before you shop.

5. Read the Paper

The paper circulars usually hit just before time to shop for school supplies. Find out when your local paper will have the majority of “back to school” sales circulars, and go through them carefully when they arrive. Watch for “buy 1 get 1″ and other free promotional deals.

6. Secondhand Clothes Stores

As picky as my daughter is about her wardrobe, she shops locations such as Plato’s Closet and Fringe for lightly worn clothing. Some of the items she buys are practically brand new. You may have to spend a little more time going through all the inventory, but you will find some great deals on clothing items that are very expensive when purchased new.

If a garment smells a little funny? Put it in the washer, add some white vinegar and lemon juice, and let it soak for a while. Then run on through the cycle. When cycle is finished, run it back through the wash again with some nice smelling laundry detergent.

For the younger kids, a local group sponsors a “Kids Clothes Connection” quarterly in the retired Lowe’s Building. Parents come and bring their used items and the wheeling and dealing begins. If there’s nothing like this in your area, consider getting a “clothes connection” started!

Got an idea on ways to save on school supplies? We’d love to hear from you, so please send us your comments! Happy Back to School Days!

Photos Courtesy PhotoXpress