ThriftyFun News
Gearing Up for Back To School
Volume Six, Number 29, July 31, 2004
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Hello,
Today's issue deals with preparing to send kids back to school.
We have a few articles and some links. We also welcome your
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Susan
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This newsletter contains:
- Simplify Back to School Shopping - Save Money, Too!
- Reduce Stress of Back-to-School Shopping
- Reducing the Cost of Office and School Supplies
- Back to School Lunches
- Back to School Lunch Ideas
- Save Money on back-to-school shopping
- Saving on Back to School Expenses
- How to Save on Back to School Purchases
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Gearing Up for Back To School
Simplify Back to School Shopping -- Save Money, Too!
By Nancy Peterson
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The beginning of a new school year can be an
exciting time, but back-to-school costs can stress parents, said
Katey Walker, Kansas State University Research and Extension
family resource specialist.
Expenses - enrollment fees, activity/rental fees, lunch payments,
and supplies, for example - add up. So does the cost of new
shoes, clothing, and incidentals, like a class field trip,
admission to sporting events or a school play, she said.
Thinking like a businessperson can, however, help parents reduce
the stress of back-to-school shopping. In fact, following good
business practices also may help stretch the funds available,
said Walker, who offered these businesslike, back-to-school
shopping tips:
Make a list of the must-haves.
"School districts provide a list of enrollment costs, lunch fees,
and supplies. The list usually is printed in the local newspaper
and/or also available from school district offices," said Walker,
who encouraged parents to make a list of fixed expenses.
Make an inventory of what you already have.
The inventory process, which usually also involves sorting, can
help parents and children identify what still is usable. Then
they can set aside outgrown, but still usable items, for others
in the family, community thrift shop or clothing exchange.
"Teaching children to consider the needs of others is a lesson
that can come from the inventory process. It also reminds
children of what they have, and may help them be more able to
differentiate between needs and wants," Walker said.
Assess the difference between 'usable' and 'acceptable.'
Usable items may not always be acceptable - some worn clothing
items may be best reserved for after-school play. If resources
permit, plan to supplement hand-me-downs with some new purchases.
Prioritize expenses.
"Cover immediate - and essential - needs like enrollment fees,
school lunch fees, and any special required items first," the
family resource specialist said.
A child's age, interest, and current growth rate influence
expenditures, but parents sometimes say they prefer to postpone
purchases until after school starts so that children can see what
others are wearing.
One good strategy might be to keep some money available for later
purchases. Postponing the purchase of a new winter coat until
cool weather is imminent also can be advisable, particularly for
a child who is growing rapidly, she said.
Time available at home also is a factor. For example, if a child
is growing rapidly, parents may want to purchase fewer clothing
items and plan to do laundry more frequently.
Consider a compromise.
The choice of basic clothing or spending more for designer
clothing or the latest character lunch box can challenge parents.
"Children can feel intense pressure to fit in and may want one or
more items that other children have. Trying to accommodate them
occasionally - or compromising on a specific item - can help make
a child feel more accepted," said Walker, who encouraged parents
to strive for balance.
If a child routinely wants more than their parents can afford -
or think they should spend - it may be time to consider an
allowance that covers such expenses. Shifting the decision-making
power usually ends arguments. Allowing an older child to spend
'their own money' also often results in more careful decisions,
she said.
Check a store's return policy and/or guarantees before buying.
Check purchases for flaws before leaving the store. Check them
again immediately after purchase.
Weigh quality vs. price.
Spending a little more on a winter jacket that can be worn more
than one season usually offers more for the money than a garment
like a costume or trendy shirt that may be worn for a short time.
"Consider the length of time items like a backpack or calculator
will be needed," Walker said.
Save receipts - place them in an envelope or folder.
Use credit with caution.
"If paying with a credit card rather than cash, check or a debit
card, assess what you can reasonably pay when the bill is likely
to come. Charging more than you can comfortably afford to pay may
reduce the ability to accommodate other upcoming expenses. Paying
interest on extended payments also adds to purchase price," she
said.
"Back-to-school shopping trips can be good one-on-one experiences
for parents and children, particularly when children have been
involved in the inventory process," said Walker, who advised
parents to take the inventory with them.
Shopping when stores are least likely to be crowded and at a time
when both parent and child are well-rested is recommended.
Waiting until the last minute is almost guaranteed to add stress,
she said.
For more information on consumer strategies, interested persons
can contact their local K-State Research and Extension office.
About The Author:
By Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist - K-State Research
and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University
Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension
Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful
knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county,
state, federal and private funds, the program has county
Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and
regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the
K-State campus, Manhattan.
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/news/
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Reduce Stress of Back-to-School Shopping
By Nancy Peterson
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Trying on clothes probably isn't on most kids'
list of favorite things to do, but it is an essential part of
shopping for back-to-school or other new clothing, said Marla
Day, Kansas State University Research and Extension associate
clothing specialist.
* Shopping for new school clothes should be fun, but often isn't.
* "Cost is one issue - children's clothes and shoes are costly.
Growing children may need replacements in a matter of weeks or
months; middle or high school students' clothing may cost as much
- or more - than parents' clothing. Parents and children also may
not always agree on what to buy," Day said.
* There are, however, ways to simplify the process. The clothing
specialist offered these tips:
* Take an inventory of each child's clothing.
Ask the child to try on clothes, and make a list of still-usable
items. Sort clothing - some may still fit, but be stained or out
of style and no longer suitable for school wear.
Read More: Click Here
Reducing the Cost of Office and School Supplies
By Naomi Knudsen
Ben Franklin once said, 'A penny saved is a dollar earned.' Here
are some tips for saving some pennies and maybe a few dollars by
reducing the costs of those supplies for school or the office.
Tip 1.
Take inventory of what supplies you already have and keep them
all in a designated area, so you can find them when you need
them.
Tip 2.
A three-ring binder from the last school year or tossed by a
business or one from a conference can be salvaged and disguised
if necessary with stickers or contact paper.
Read More: Click Here
Back to School Lunches
Back to school lunches (YUK) is what I hear, I have a 6 year old
starting grade 1 who doesn't like sandwiches, soup, cheese and
crackers and not much fruit !! Very fussy! Anyone have some good
creative ideas that would appeal to this fussbucket?? Thanks -
Cheapie
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Back to School Lunch Ideas
By Brandie Valenzuela
It is that time of the year again - back to school! While some
are returning this next week, others have been back for quite a
while...my own children returned to school over a month ago.
However, it go without saying, that no matter if your children
have been back for a while or if they are just now starting to
get ready for the big day, you can never have too many lunch
ideas!
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Save Money on back-to-school shopping
HOUSTON, July 15, 2004 -- Near the end of every summer, parents
of school-aged children face one of their largest single
expenses: getting their kids ready for a new school year. In
fact, studies by the National Retail Federation found that
consumers spend around $500 per household on back-to- school
shopping.
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Saving on Back to School Expenses
Frugal ways to avoid back to school shopping sprees
What happened? Here I was, all involved in drinking iced tea on
the patio and watching the neighbor's kids play in the sprinkler
when someone said it was time to start thinking about back to
school shopping.
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How to Save on Back to School Purchases
The Problem" Does anyone out there have any ideas on reducing
back-to- school expenses? I have a third grader and a
kindergartner. Both need backpacks, notebooks, crayons, etc., not
to mention shoes and clothes!
I have their supply lists, and things are coming on sale now. I
also shop at the second hand store, which helps a lot. Any other
help would be appreciated! S.
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Thanks
Susan
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