Doable Money-Saving Tips for Back-To-School from a BTDT Mom

With back-to-school time here it’s a good time to talk BTS budgets. From the super-specific back-to-school lists to the must-have supplies, it can seem like back-to-school equals an empty bank account. While it’s true it costs us a little more at that time there are some smart money moves you can make this fall to save some dough.

Tip #1: Skip school lunches.

For most busy families an easy way to save time is to have kids buy their lunch at school. But have you added up the cost? Whether it’s a basic meal or your child is fortunate enough to have an array of healthy lunch options to choose from it can add up fast! My daughter was regularly spending $4 per lunch last year! That’s $20 per week and definitely not in our family’s budget. The solution? Packed lunches. It’s less expensive, healthier, and you can save the difference.

Don’t want to pack lunches yourself? Don’t do it. Since my kids were in 1st grade the expectation has been that they pack their own lunches. Sometimes that means they go to school with yogurt and an apple, but they quickly learn. Especially if you use tip #2.

Tip #2: Extras come out of the kids’ money.

Want to buy lunch all week or spend extra on the chandelier for your locker (yes, it’s a thing)? Kid, that comes from your budget, not the family budget. While it may seem a little extreme it’s an effective way to teach your kids about the value of money. Believe me when I say that they value their money much more than they value yours! This came in handy when my daughter needed a second (and then a third!) binder last year. I provided one, but she beat up the first one so badly she had to spend her own money to replace it. By the way, why are binders so expensive?!

Tip #3: Put kids in charge of their back-to-school budgets.

Before you hand them a $100 and send them into the wilds of Target’s back-to-school aisles, take some time to sit down with them and make sure that they are prepared. This may be tough to do at first, but we’ve successfully used this method for a number of years and it’s incredibly helpful in getting kids to understand costs, learn how to price hunt, and evaluate the quality of products, too. Read more about putting kids in charge of their back-to-school budget here.

Tip #4: Shop later in the season.

I know they say the early bird gets the worm (or the last 12 pack of Crayola classics), but when it comes to back-to-school you may want to wait. Supply lists from schools are often put out to help parents and students come prepared, but my family’s BTDT experience has shown us (this applies to preschool all the way through high school) that many items on those lists never get used. Instead, start with the basics, hold onto your receipts, and go shopping once you have a ‘this is what my teacher really wants‘ list. When it comes to clothes you can often stretch summer wardrobes well into the first weeks of school since it’s still warm out. Waiting will lead to big discounts as retailers make space for holiday merchandise and winter gear. If your kids have uniforms you may need our next tip.

Tip #5: Thrift, buy secondhand, or look for freebies.

If your kid’s school has uniforms you may want to consider shopping secondhand. Often kids grow out of uniform clothes before they even begin to show signs of wear and tear. You can shop thrift sales, secondhand stores, and yard sales for supplies and needs at a fraction of the cost of new. Sites like ThredUp, and eBay and offer ways to save online, while you may try Facebook Market place or your local neighborhood groups to look for freebies.

Tip #6: Embrace spending where it counts.

While there are plenty of ways to cut costs and save on back-to-school there are a few ways I don’t recommend cutting back. Good shoes and a great backpack are a must and they should last all year ( the backpack could last multiple years!) We always plan to spend a little extra to support our school and teachers, too. Whether it’s buying extra tissues for the classroom or contributing to funds that go back to students or into the school it’s important to give back to the places and people that give our kids so much.

What are some ways you curb back-to-school spending?

Photo source: Depositphotos/Tinkerbell77

More Back-to-School Ideas from Alpha Mom:

1. Make Back-to-School Week the Easiest Ever 
2. Back-to-School Lunchbox Inspiration
3. Use Back-to-School Budgets to Teach Kids Money Management