Save Money on Supplies

BACK TO SCHOOL ON A BUDGET

School supply lists seem to get longer each year. With those longer lists and generally higher prices all around, the price of preparing for school has climbed steeply. Take advantage of these money saving tips to get the most bang for your back-to-school bucks.

SHOP TAX FREE

Since 2004, the state of Missouri has offered a back-to-school sales tax holiday. This year the tax holiday will be Aug. 5-7. Tax adds up, so this is a great way to stay on track with your budget, especially if you’re planning on making a large purchase like a laptop. Keep in mind the stores will be much busier this weekend, but your pocketbook will thank you. Here are the guidelines for this year’s tax-free weekend: Clothing – any article valued at $100 or less School supplies – not to exceed $50 per purchase Computer software – valued at $350 or less Personal computers – not to exceed $3,500 Computer peripheral devices – not to exceed $3,500

CHECK YOUR INVENTORY

Look through your child’s supply list and check whether you have any of these items on hand. If you’re anything like I am, you will see unopened paint, markers, glue and crayons in your craft drawer. You may also be able to salvage items from the previous school year. On the last day of school, my daughter came home with three completely unused notebooks, so I put those back for next school year. You might also realize your child’s lunch box and backpack are still in great condition, so you can use those again this year.

VISIT THE DOLLAR STORE

We love finding arts and craft supplies at our local dollar store. You would be surprised by the name brand items you can find for just a dollar. If you find a great deal, stock up so you have plenty of pencils and crayons for the year. Just be aware you also can sometimes find school supplies for less than a dollar at your local Wal-Mart.

COMPARE PRICES

The internet has made comparing prices so much easier! Before I purchase an item, I do a quick Google search for the item in the shopping tab. You can compare prices at all the stores that carry that item. Make sure to take into account shipping charges that might apply if you purchase online rather than picking up at a local store.

USE PROMO CODES

When selling items online, most stores offer a promo code for free shipping or a percentage off a purchase. You might have to search for it, but there is almost always a special in the top banner of a website. You might have to join their email club, but I find that to be worth it. You can always unsubscribe from their emails later.

THRIFT SHOP

Check out your local thrift shops for gently-used kids clothing. You can score some great finds! Because kids grow out of their clothes quickly, I like to sell and purchase items from other moms I know.

I’ve been able to find name brand clothes in perfect condition for as little as $2.00 per item. There are many Facebook groups and virtual garage sales you can check out. When my kids have a specific item in mind, I have had great luck with the app Poshmark. I found the exact pair of brand new softball cleats my daughter had her eyes on for just $15 when they were out of stock at the store and online.

SPREAD OUT YOUR SHOPPING

Back-to-school season gets me in the mood to purchase a new fall wardrobe for my kids. But in reality, school begins in August when it’s still hot outside. Their summer wardrobe will still work for the first month of school. I like to purchase a few items each month over a few months. I will purchase one or two back-to-school outfits in August and a few more items in September. Jeans can be pricey, but they don’t need jeans until the weather cools down, so I wait to purchase those until October. By spreading out your clothing purchases, you will have more money to purchase the school supplies. You can also spread out your shopping by purchasing a few items on the supply list each month during the summer. Our school district sent home the school supply list for next year on the last day of school. I’ve grabbed a few items on the list each month over the summer to lessen the burden of the spending in August.

CREATE A SINKING FUND

A sinking fund is a great way save for a larger expense by adding to the fund over time. If you plan to spend $800 on school supplies in August, divide that by how many paychecks you have until then. If you have four paychecks, then $200 is the amount you will deposit into your sinking fund on each payday. Then, when it’s time for shopping, you will already have the cash on hand.

SHOP ALONE

My best money saving tip is to leave the kids at home. I find that when I bring my daughter along for back-to-school shopping, my cart fills up with a lot of unnecessary purchases. She decides she needs a new water bottle with her favorite character on it and inexpensive items on your list like a pencil pouch turn into a $20 flip sequin pencil box. I would suggest shopping for the majority of the school supply list on your own and then taking your children to pick out a few special items like their backpack, lunch box and clothes. That way, your kids will still be excited about their new school items, but your budget won’t be taking a hit.

GUIDE

Regan Lyons is a girl mom and freelance writer. She lives with her husband, Cale, and daughters, Atley, 8, and Ensley, 2, in St. Joseph, MO.

Lanesfield Schoolhouse

THIS OLD SCHOOLHOUSE: KC’S HISTORIC SCHOOLS

Before your kids head back to school, take a trip back in time to explore one of the area’s old schoolhouses where children can experience firsthand the life of schoolkids more than a century ago.

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, 913.897.2360 One of the attractions at the farmstead is the replica 1900 one-room country school. With a slate blackboard and antique desks, the school gives children a picture of what learning was like a century ago.

Lanesfield Schoolhouse

18745 S. Dillie Rd., Edgerton, KS, 913.893.6645 Learn about the history of education in Kansas and Johnson County with a visit to the limestone schoolhouse. Visitors learn about education for rural Kansans in the mid-19th through mid-20th centuries.

Missouri Town 1855

8010 E. Park Rd., Blue Springs, 816.503.4800 Explore more than 25 buildings dating from 1820 to 1860, including a pioneer school. Interpreters in period attire present living history programs, including school lessons, during special events.

Mt. Gilead Church & School

15918 Plattsburg Rd., Kearney, MO, 816.736.8500 Mt. Gilead School, built in 1879, operated for more than half a century until it closed its doors in 1946. Historians believe Mt. Gilead was the only school in the area to continuously hold classes during the Civil War.

Oxford School House

Located in Ironwoods Park, 147th & Mission Road, Leawood, 913.339.6700 x157 Visit the school and talk with a costumed docent about the history of Oxford School and the surrounding rural area. Schedule a program for any group any day of the week yearround (except during Open House hours).

Shawnee Town 1929

11501 W. 57th St., Shawnee, 913.248.2360 Shawnee Town 1929 depicts a typical day in and around the 1920s farm community, including a one-room schoolhouse.

Shoal Creek Living History Museum

7000 NE Barry Rd., Kansas City, MO, 816.792.2655 The living history museum comprises 21 structures with 17 authentic 19th century buildings dating from 1807 to 1885, including a schoolhouse. Learn as children did in times gone by during special events.

FOR MOM! BACK TO SCHOOL

Can you believe it?! As you read this, summer is drawing to a close and school is about to open! This might have some of you jumping for joy and others of you dreading all the backto-school insanity. Or maybe you are like I am, finding yourself somewhere in between! Back to school can be a stressful time for children and moms alike, but no matter which side you find yourself on, find a way to make going back to school fun for you, too, not just the kids!

STYLE SAVVY

Many families allow room in the budget for new school clothing, tennis shoes, backpacks, school supplies and such. Kids are happy and feeling their best, but what about you? Consider buying yourself something new, too! How about that new purse you’ve been eyeing? A new suit for work? Or that cool pair of sneakers you didn’t want to spend the money on? Now is the time! Rebecca Powell, Basehor mom of four, says, “I love to grab a new lunch bag for myself. Since I pack my lunch for work, it is a little something fun for back to school for me too!”

YOU TIME

Say what?! You’ve probably missed a little of this over the summer, so why not set aside some time now that the kids are back in school? Consider looking into local mom groups, such as a MOPS group or Building Better Moms, which Church of the Resurrection offers, or consider starting a group with other moms from your school. This is not only a way to take time for yourself, but also to connect with other moms. If you prefer solo time, look no further! We are so fortunate to live in an area where finding a place for pampering, whatever that is for you, isn’t hard to find!

PREPPING

Perhaps you are already caught up (who ARE you?!) and want to use the new-found free time you have to be proactive. Bulk grocery shop (imagine Costco … alone!); organize and plan meals for the month; swap out summer for fall clothing; batch cook breakfast burritos, muffins or freezer meals; take inventory of needs for fall and winter—the list could go on forever. This isn’t necessarily a way to have fun, but the fun comes later when you realize you’ve already taken care of things.

CATCH-UP

As if this is really a thing, but we can dream, right?! I don’t know about you, but all my to-do tasks, creative projects and appointments take a back seat during the summer. Who am I kidding … they aren’t even in the car! Once school has started and you feel like you can catch your breath for a moment, take a look at all those things you wanted to, needed to, hoped to, planned to get done … and didn’t. Then start chipping away at that list! Go ahead and schedule all those yearly checkups for yourself, gather donations, make the photobook, take the car in for an oil change, get the plumber over for that leak, buy all the lightbulbs that need replacing.

Remember that while back to school can be fun and exciting, the season can also hold anxiety and stress for your kids. We moms feel all those emotions and more too! However, once that first day or first week of school is over, and you are all back in the swing of the academic routine, be sure to take care of yourself. Find those ways of having fun yourself—you 110% deserve it!

Julie Collett writes from her home in Overland Park where it always takes her a few weeks to find her groove again once the kids are in school!