As Summer ends and School Begins.

Yes, these look like they could be a bargain,
but check again.  The photo was taken at local Walmart
by P.Lynne Designs

This is the second post I have started.  The first one has already posted.  I have not looked at the views.  Perhaps, it will go viral, or not.  I am not going to wrap my brain around it.

What I am going to try to wrap my head around is the fact that it’s that time again.  What do I mean by that?  If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle, you know that time.  It is time for back to school shopping. 

Now for some, the school year blends into one seamless motion, otherwise known as “All Year” School.  It is when the kids go to school from January-December, taking the usual spring and winter breaks, but take 1-3 weeks off for summer break.  This allows parents to take the iconic family vacation but also allows them to work normally, without finding a babysitter. 

For others, it is the traditional, “September-June” or now the “August-May” School year.  10 months of studying and learning, followed by 2 months of a family vacation, summer camp, summer school, while parents find the babysitter.  Most babysitters charge enough that you need a small loan to pay for them.  Do not forget the local neighborhood pool, theme parks, and family outings. (Personally, I do not like saying “picnic” because of the origins of the word, please search for it.).

Shorts are now on clearance at Walmart
Photo taken by P.Lynne Designs

Summer is also the time when we go shopping for back to school, and this is the main topic for this post.  As a child, I used to love going “back to school” shopping.  I have never won a uniform, so my parents did not have to deal with that.  OK, I did, the gym uniform.  I remember we have two choices:  a white blouse with navy blue shorts or a unitard (combo top and shorts).  I always choose the white top and shorts because I had bladder issues and was afraid that if I played hard enough, I would not get out of the unitard in time to go, and you know what happens when you don’t.  I can now rock a mean onesie though. 

Anyway, I would have in mind what I wanted mom to get, and that was when the small but stern fights in the store would begin, but my sister was the worse.  She would walk around the store half the time with her lip poked out.  Mom would finally give in to something we really wanted.  She had no problems with my brother.  He agreed to everything mom would put in the cart. (suck up, LOL).

Side note: My parents raised my oldest nephew.  One year, my nephew, who is now 22, wanted everything Pokémon, including underwear, and got it.  I guess as a grandmother, you do things differently for your grands then you do for your children.

School supplies were my thing.  The latest notebooks, binders, planners, pens, and pencils.  You name it, and I wanted it.  This past weekend was “no tax” day, and once again, I missed it. It is a good way to save while trying to shop for clothes, supplies, and all things, school.

I have some tips on how to shop for school.

• When they get out for the year, rather your child goes to a private, public, private-public (otherwise known as a charter school), pre-K, college-bound, or whatever, please do an inventory check when they get out.  My mom did this for a while, and it saves dollars, which is what we want.  Have your child give you their unused supplies and look through them.  If there is anything they can use for the start of the new school year, use it.  Unless it is a new school (5^th grade transitioning to middle school; high school to college), it is not really cost effective if you buy 5 new spiral notebooks and have 5 unused ones sitting at home.  Same with pens, pencils, and other stuff.
• Get your child’s supply list from their school and stick to it especially in high school.  There may be a particular brand that is more cost-effective than that $5 notebook your child has been eyeing.  If they really want that notebook, have them save for it, buy it themselves, but use it at home.
• Catch all the sales.  Staples and other stores are good around this time of year for school supplies.  At the same time, they may issue limits on the number of supplies you can get in each category (ex: Buy 3, get 2 free with a purchase of $50 or more).  Reading the fine lines of a sale will prevent the “I did not know” when you get to the checkout.
• If you can shop without your child, do so.  While it is nice to get your child a toy every time you shop for supplies and clothes, it can add up.  Plus, a child may have everything by the time the holidays roll around.  Save a headache and the extra bucks by not taking children with you.
• If you must take them, please explain to them why you are going to the store and this trip is a “no toy” trip. Stick to that.  By “no toy” means you are not getting anything extra either (that new book you have been dying to read or that top and it is on sale).  You need to set an example for your child.   This goes for the spouse as well.
• Big name stores are not the only source for shopping and discounts around this time of year.  Mom and pop stores (otherwise known as small businesses) will have some deals as well.  Take a look around these stores, who may have a bigger discount than you think.  The rewards include getting on their mailing list and being the first to shop before the mainstream public can shop the latest collections.  You may also find that one-of-a-kind piece that would look good on your little one (or big one).  Also, a lot of these stores are handmade items, sewn by the owner, no middle person involved in the process.  This is one thing I have a personal testament to because I own a stationery company.  The only people I pay at the moment are my wholesale suppliers for my materials.  I do not have any fancy machinery to maintain, just my computer and die cutting machines.  The money I make goes towards the things I need, like supplies, paying my business bills, and maintaining my household.  Other business owners are paying for their child’s dance lessons, or just getting by.  I will touch on why prices are so high for handmade business products in another post.



Looking for a good backpack
The photo was taken at a local Walmart
By P. Lynne Designs

• Use online stores too.  I know there is a huge debate about this topic so I will make it brief:  if it saves you time and money, order online.  Do not order because everyone is doing it.  If there is a cheaper price at a traditional store than an online store (after all, you are paying Shipping and Handling and now sale tax for these items), use your gas and go shopping.  If you do not have the time to go, and you can get that item from Amazon in 2 hours or less, and you save money, shop online. 

There is no right way to go shopping.  Everyone needs to have a back to school budget, and how you maintain that the budget is up to you.  Find bargains, discounts, and institute a few routines along the way will make a smooth transition into the new school year. 

Now I am issuing a disclaimer, which should have been at the beginning of this post:  I cannot help you out with your child’s grades during the year.  I can issue pointers, but if your little Einstein refuses to study with all that stuff you saved to get, then the best advice I can give you is start taking away the electronics.  That should get their attention.  Have a great start to a new school year, and God bless you.