Craft Project: Back-to-School Braided Bookmarks
In under 30 minutes, you can create these clip-on place keepers won't fall out of your book!
Craft Project: Stenciled Backpacks
Turn your otherwise boring solid color backpack into a work of art using stencils to add your own touch and design to it. This was my boring rolling back pack that I love to use for traveling but was a darker color of solid blue and not very feminine looking at all.
Summer comes and goes much too quickly, but you can create a little excitement over heading back to the classroom. Take advantage of the great deals and throw a Back to School Bingo for your kids!
When notebook paper comes on sale, buy enough for the entire school year. Why pay $2.00 later for the same pack of paper that will cost you $.50 during the big school supply sales in August?
The prices of school lunches, like most other things, are rising. Yet, parents need to question whether these lunches are providing their children with healthy lunch options and whether or not the lunches are worth the money.
Take Pictures on the First and Last Day of School
On the first day of school, make sure you take a photo of your child before they leave the house. On the last day of school, take a photo also so you can see how much they have progressed physically as well as educationally!
As a former teacher I am very much aware of how many out-of-pocket expenses teachers have. One big request is tissues, especially this time of year.
Craft Project: Apple for the Teacher Keychain
This is a woodcraft that your youngsters can help to make to give to their teacher. It will take adult help to do the cutting of the apple, and perhaps to do the printing on the apple, but the kids can do the painting
School Sports Uniform Payment Plans
When your children are picked to participate in school sports, ask if there is a payment plan on their sports uniforms. So rather than having to come up with the big lump sum all at one time, stretch the payment out so it's convenient for you and your budget.
Buy School Supplies Now for Christmas
Buy extra school supplies now, as they start to go on clearance. By Christmas time, new markers, crayons, cute pens, notebooks and folders will make great stocking stuffers and small gifts. They will be needed by then, too.
Buy a Year's Worth of School Supplies in the Fall
We buy a years worth of school supplies once a year. Every year the stores such as Walmart, Target others put the school supplies on sale. Such as a box of crayons for .22cents. Most families wait for the schools list to come out.
Calling All Grandmas! Be a Kindergarten Volunteer
Maybe you don't get to see your grandchildren very often or it is just a long distance phone call once or twice a week. Now imagine your self sitting with a child that is struggling with their ABC's and you are helping them. All of a sudden, you see it in their eyes! They got it. You cannot imagine the joy that you will feel in your heart.
Donate School Clothes to the Schools
With school starting I wondered if there were children in need of clothing, especially middle and high school age. A lot of kids this age would be too proud to ask for help, and embarrassed not to have new clothes. Guidance counselors at schools usually would know of those in need.
Take Outfit Photos So Kids Can Match Clothes
My 4 and 5 year olds pick out their own school clothes after I used this tip and are always in matching outfits. Before school started this year, we played model and took a photo of them in each outfit.
Getting Ready For School In Advance
My son just started kindergarten, I work part-time and my husband works second shift. So at night, preparing for school the next day is all up to me! To help myself stay organized, I do the following:
My Frugal Life: Frugal Tips for Children's Clothing
When you decided to have children, you have a slight idea of the expense. In your head you immediately think of college fund, food, diapers, cars, medical care, and clothing. We fool ourselves into thinking that it will be easier than it actually is. As the parent of seven children, I am an unofficial expert in raising children on a strict budget.
Swap Sports Supplies with Other Parents
My son has played football for 8 years and is currently playing JV football in high school. My husband is a coach for the youth football league so I have faced the cost of spikes, etc many times. Talk to other parents, they may have used gear they can't use anymore.
Use your left-over wallpaper to cover your kid's books this school year. Wallpaper is sturdy, lasts, and it's also a way to make use of what you have.
Label Child's Belongings for School
With school back in full swing, for your younger children who might have trouble remembering their coats, jackets, or other items, at school or on the school buses, please put their names on the clothing tags inside, so they can be returned your family.
Craft Project: Denim Locker Pockets
In just a few easy steps, your child can turn an old pair of jeans or shorts into a couple of pen and pencil holders that mount easily in a school locker.
As schools suffer through budget cuts, fundraisers become even more important. Yet everyone is cutting back, and purchasing wrapping paper, candy, or raffle tickets isn't in the budget.
It might be fall, but now is the time to purchase your child's teacher gifts. Teachers always appreciate tokens of student appreciation, especially those that are hand-picked by their students.
Craft Project: Jean Pocket Notebooks
Create a pocket on a notebook to hold pens, pencils, notepads, etc. Kids will enjoy personalizing the pockets. A great way to recycle old jeans/pants pockets too!
Craft Project: Back-to-School Braided Bookmarks
In under 30 minutes, you can create these clip-on place keepers won't fall out of your book!
