Summer is coming to an end and many kids are already back to school. Articles fill your feed with items to buy for back-to-school.” But what if you handled it differently this year and saved money?
Families want to start the year off right. Organizing your school supplies can be a great way to signal the transition from summer to school. Just keep a few things in mind before you shop.
Advertising Works
Advertising works because billions of marketing dollars make it happen! Ads lure you into buying 64 brand new crayons and all those cute IKEA desks you had to have during the pandemic.
Let’s be real for a minute.
June-scissors work in August, right? Crayons and pencils might be scattered but still create art, correct? Kids are productive in different spaces, so do NOT force them into a desk. (I learned this from a homework expert years ago.)
Before the ads convince you to buy, take an inventory of your supplies and consider what you really need.
Gather Existing Supplies
Using existing inventory is a great way to save time and money. But it will also declutter and organize your home. Because when you reduce the volume, spaces have a way of organizing themselves.
Of course, it’s reasonable to purchase a special back-to-school item, perhaps something to celebrate the return to school. By reusing pencils and crayons, explain that you can buy special item with the money you saved.
We do not buy new backpacks and lunch boxes every year, nor should you. However, I hear the arguments now. “But we always buy new school supplies.” “It’s a fun family trip to Target.”
I disagree. Now more than ever, families need a budget. 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Avoiding unnecessary spending is a great place to start.
Trade the Target-run for homemade ice cream sundaes. And enjoy the benefits of less clutter in your home. Here’s how you can get ready:
7 Easy Ways to Get Organized for Back-to-School:
Pick a day to get organized. Print the supply list (if needed) for each child. And tackle this early, right after breakfast. Be sure to get all the kids involved.
Clear a large flat surface for this project.
- Backpack
- Empty the entire backpack
- Check zippers and overall condition
- Check tags for washing instructions
- Hang dry
- You do not need to buy a new backpack every year
- Gym Clothes
- Hopefully, you washed these in June
- If not, try vinegar and baking soda to remove odors
- Set the clean clothes aside with a small towel, soap, and deodorant
- My son fell in goose poop during gym class. So, he likes having soap and a towel for emergencies.
- Folders and Notebooks
- Gather existing folders and notebooks
- Recycle torn folders, used pages, and full notebooks
- Set aside items to re-label and re-use
- Color-coding helps kids stay organized
- Math-Blue, English-Red, Science-Yellow
- School Papers
- Recycle last year’s school papers. Yes, ALL of them
- Ask your student what they’d like to keep
- Here is how I handle Kids’ Art
- Pencil Case
- Empty last year’s pencil case
- Wash with soap and water. Allow it to air dry
- Gather all the pens, crayons, markers – Yes ALL of them!
- Test pens, highlighters, and markers. Throw away as needed
- Sharpen pencils as needed
- Lunch Box and Water Bottle
- Clean and Dry, thoroughly
- Replace, only if absolutely necessary. Throw away the old one
- Use vinegar and water to remove bacteria
- Re-Use, Repurpose and Then Buy
- What useful items did you find in inventory?
- Pass on hand-me-downs or like-new items to siblings.
- Remember new isn’t always better.
- What items do you still need?
- Place a small online order to avoid impulse buys at the store.
Were you surprised by how much you own? I’d love to hear about your experience.
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I wonder if the excitement of a new school year is gone. Since students are staying at home and maybe we’ll see less back-to-school shopping this year. Maybe it will be just the opposite, with parents try to compensate the loss of the social aspect of school with things.
I’m kinda wondering the same, Janet. This year, more than ever, kids don’t need much. But to your point, will parents spend the money as a way to try and compensate for the loss of everything. I hope not. Living simply, being more organized and saving money, all go hand in hand. I know that we’ve seen great cost savings over the last few months. A definite silver lining to the pandemic.
Our daughters are now grown, but there was always a lot of excitement about back-to-school prep when they were growing up. And for me, just seeing your photos of crayons, pencils, and other supplies got me excited, even though I’m not preparing for this season in the way that parents and students are. What I am noticing are the abundance of back-to-school posts and even some leaves starting to change colors (in the Northeast.)
It’s a time of change, of preparing, of gathering and taking inventory. Like you, we always started with the supplies we had and then added as needed.
Thanks Linda for the comment!
I’m feeling for your poor son and his encounter with goose poop. I bet he took a lot of ribbing for that one – poor guy! You are also making me laugh with that “June scissors still work in August.” Isn’t that the truth?
I think back to school shopping is at least somewhat about the fun of getting new things, and perhaps having that experience get kids excited. Fabric items, like backpacks and pencil cases, may need replacing, especially if the zippers are broken or they are terribly stained. I washed an old backpack once with high hopes and it just didn’t work out. It was time to start over. But when it comes to other supplies, knowing what you have truly is the first step.
Thanks Seana. I’m glad you liked the phrase. My son did suffer some embarrassment but he’s armed with soap and a towel now because of it!
I remember, with a lot of laughter, how much my kids enjoyed shopping for new school supplies and clothing. It always seemed like a nice way to begin the school year and a fresh new start.
I also like and appreciate the no waste trend. Because it’s critical for our earth and pocketbooks. I really liked what you said, “Using existing inventory is a great way to save time and money. “
My favorite idea of yours is to save money by avoiding unnecessary shopping when you can make ice cream sundaes instead!!
Thanks Ronni – I know many families agree about the fresh start! But who doesn’t love ice cream sundaes. 🙂
I agree that you don’t need to schedule the back to school shopping trip just because… Schedule the trip with a list after checking what you have. I also agree with what you said about saving money and spending it on things other than stuff – the experience of going out for a special ice-cream sundae sounds delightful!
I love the bit about goose poop! It’s nice to see real-life examples of how your processes work. Thank you!
Thanks Katherine – he is grateful for the soap/towel every year when we remember that story!
Of course, you’re completely right about all of this! “June-scissors work in August, right?” is my favorite new quote on this topic! Still, I remember how much joy I got, even in first or second grade, making my back-to-school shopping list like other kids might make a list for Santa, and pressing my mom into an exhausting trip where I’d weight one folder against another while she’d wearily look on. So, logically, I know you’re right, and I’m not a parent, so I don’t have to budget for such things, but I’d have been so sad using the same lunch box from year-to-year.
Thanks Julie – seems I’ve hit on something about June-scissors still work in August. 🙂
Love this!
I remember the back to school shopping excitement – especially Lisa Frank everything! But as a mom now, I find it excessive to buy all the items, and have multiples. However, our school sent home all the unused supplies, which gave us a small jump for this year, and we’re reusing much of what they had last year. Since we typically buy the lower end of backpacks and lunch bags, they fall apart so easily! So our middle schooler got a nicer backpack that will hopefully see him through HS.
Hi Amy – Thanks for your comment. I’m so glad you liked the post. We bought our son a nicer backpack to start HS too and it has lasted many years and should go with him to college too. I love that you took time to inventory the supplies at the end of the school year too. When our son was in elementary school, we always did that at the end of the school year too so that we had an idea of what he needed for the next year. Thanks again for reading and commenting. Let me know if I can help with any other topics too!