5 Secrets to Buy Back to School Supplies and Save Money
Every August it is time to buy back to school supplies. You look at the list and wish you did not have to spend the money. It seems like every year your child needs new supplies because last year’s are literally worn out. They are ragged or torn and will not work for another year. You probably know the first two secrets to save money, but are you doing them and do you know the other 3?
Secret #1
Everyone knows secret #1. Buy on Sale. Most back to school items go on sale at the office stores (Staples, Office Max, Office Depot), major discount stores (Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target) as well as drug stores (Walgreens, CVS, Rexall, etc.) Watch the sale ads and compare prices. (Do not waste gas going to 3 or 4 stores, choose one or two.)
Secret #2
Do you practice secret #2 – buy in bulk? Most people buy computer paper in bulk, so why not buy lined paper and graph paper in bulk too? Guesstimate how many packages of paper you might use this year and buy more while it is on sale. If you over-estimate, it will be good for next year. By the way, pens tend to “get lost.” Buy a package of 10 instead of 2.
Tip: Keep a tally on your calendar adding more if necessary. In January transfer that tally to the new calendar, and you will be more prepared next August.
Secret #3
Choose plastic over paper. If you haven’t noticed it, more and more materials are being made with plastic.
- Buy spiral notepads with plastic covers. The plastic cover will protect the covers from ripping as they are taken in and out of backpacks.
- Buy plastic folders. Paper folders easily bend and rip inside backpacks from being taken in and out. Plastic folders with pockets will last longer, and can be used next year.
- Buy plastic dividers for binders.
- Dividers are constantly pulled on as they are turned. Tabs can rip off paper dividers. The plastic divider will last longer and can be reused next year. (Save the inserts)
- Buy plastic slash pockets (or a combo divider/pocket). Slash pockets allow handouts to be put into binders until they can be hole-punched. Otherwise they tend to be loose in the backpack and usually get bent or even torn. Save space and money by buying a combination of plastic dividers with slash pockets.
Secret #4
Buy colors or designs over characters. Characters are cute, but they go out of style quickly. Use them for the early grades, but get more realistic as children get older, probably middle school and definitely high school.
Secret #5
Buy for practicality and durability.
- Cheap backpacks will not last more than a year. Textbooks are getting heavier. Save frustration – buy better quality and it will definitely last all year, maybe 2-3 years.
- Binders without locking rings will fall and come apart. Students will also be frustrated trying to put papers back in order.
- Fabric book covers will last longer than paper, and protect the textbooks so your student is not tempted to doodle on the covers — possibly costing you money.
- Buy washable markers – permanent markers do not come out of clothes (or textbooks).
- Instead of “zipper lock” plastic lunch bags, buy the cheap plastic containers – in case they do not make it home.
Help your students make better supply selections this year, and you will reap the benefits of having supplies last longer and save you both shopping time and money.
| Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eileen_Roth |
Back-to-School Shopping on a Budget
Shopping for back to school purchases can often be expensive. Between purchasing new clothing, shoes and needed school supplies, you may find that your budget is terribly over stretched. A better way to shop for back to school needs is to find sales, discounts and specials that can help to save you money.
If you have ever purchased school supplies you probably know that most retailers offer deals around this time of year. These deals can help you to stretch your budget to include everything that your child needs for the new school year. You can also look online for a variety of deals and specials that can help you to save money as well.
Use coupons when possible. Coupons offer one of the easiest ways to save money. The problem is that most people simply overlook using coupons when they are doing their shopping. They simply do not want to bother with clipping out a coupon just to save a few cents. However, when you are shopping for school needs, a few coupons can actually add up to major savings.
You can also look online for specials and deals for things such as computer equipment, shoes and clothing. You may find that even online retailers offer good deals around this time of year. Find online discount and coupon websites that can help you save additional money as well. You can find many online codes for online shopping or printable coupons for local retailers that can really help you to stretch your dollar.
If you have more than one child heading back to school, then stretching your money is even more important. Finding online deals, discounts and coupons can help you to ensure that all your children’s school needs are met as well as your needs regarding your household budget.
Susanne is the owner of 247Coupon an online coupons website featuring thousands of discount coupons to use when shopping online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Beauvoir
Abundant One Income Living
In days past, we used to consider “one income living” as a term that defined a two-parent household where one parent worked and the other stayed home to raise the children by choice — thus the phrase, “one income living.” These days, one income living defines a larger segment of the population — including two income families, single parents with children and single adults without children — many of whom are living on one income without a choice. One income living — by today’s definition — is really about learning to live within your means regardless of the number of working adults in the household, level of income or whether or not you have children.
The new definition of one income living is applying more and more to a wider segment of the population — including those who have found themselves out of work or with reduced hours due to the recent changes in the economy. In these situations, families are finding themselves in one income living situations without necessarily making the conscious choice to do so. This is creating a situation where the nuggets of one income living wisdom are beginning to take on new life and become a benefit to an ever-increasing number of people.
While there is no one-size-fits-all formula to successfully living on one income, testimonies abound on the internet and in a variety of publications of families who are not only living well on one income but are living abundantly. This is an encouragement to many that their quality of living need not be reduced only because their paycheck may have been.
One income living starts with a change in how we think and how we relate to money. It is a process of learning to rearrange our true priorities and weed out the fluff and stuff unnecessary to our lives. It is learning to develop a greater sense of resourcefulness, creativity and self-sufficiency and a way of looking beyond monetary limitations to see the greater possibility. In this sense, one income living can become a gift instead of the overwhelming sense of deprivation that some would imagine.
What families who have devoted themselves to the principles of one income living have learned is that the disciplines that come with it actually bring freedom — not deprivation. They become free from debt, free from financial fear and come into a greater understanding of the benefits of patience and self-restraint. They end up saving more money than they did on two incomes and have more purchasing power, more freedom to pursue their personal passions and have found a type of peace and joy that comes with contentedness.
That doesn’t mean sacrifices aren’t made. It does mean that the sacrifices count for something. In this way, the true priorities of life take precedence over things of lesser importance — things that usually distract us and deplete our financial resources, coincidentally.
There is beauty in simplicity, and learning to live abundantly on one income brings us back to a level of simplicity that clears up the complications and confusions of life. It becomes a state of being rather than just a way of living and affects every area of life in terms of how we choose priorities, face challenges and live our lives. It sets us free from working solely to earn money and allows us to pursue passions instead of careers.
Yes, it is possible to live well, live abundantly and live in contentment as a one income family. Even if only for a temporary season in life, the disciplines and principles that will be developed will reap benefits that last a lifetime.
