Back to School Shopping

School starts back soon!

Back-to-school expenses can add up quickly. The key is starting early to stay on budget and manage your costs. Brand-new supplies or clothes are NOT necessary. Surrender that false idea now! Simply gather the essentials over the next few weeks or days. Look through what you’ve got on hand. Carry a supply list at all times in case you find deals wherever you shop. Take advantage of tax-free days if you want to save even more. Keep a container of standard supplies that you find on clearance throughout the year. Share bulk purchases with friends and family. Remember that sometimes clearance sales occur after school starts. So be patient but assure your child you’ll provide what they need. A quality lunchbox and backpack can last several years. So don’t go into debt to buy what’s necessary.

When it comes to clothes, embrace hand-me-downs and the joy of thrifting. Shop for classic wear throughout the year and store larger sizes until needed. Give older children a budget to do their own shopping. This builds confidence and teaches them to responsibly identify needs and wants. They have to do some forward thinking for season-appropriate clothes and footwear. It’s great training! If they blow it all in one swoop, then they’ll have to spend their own money for future needs. Let them learn from their mistakes. Thank God for what He provides and remember those in need. If you have the ability, ask teachers how you can share out of your abundance. 

And if back-to-school shopping has added to your credit card debt, let Christian Credit Counselors help. They can create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information call the Crown Helpline: 800-722-1976 or online at crown.org/ccc.