Experts Share 20 Things to Do Now to Get Ready For Back to School
It’s almost that time of the year! Although it still feels like summer vacation, the school year is just around the corner. August means busy, hectic days for many households, with a million things to cross off the back-to-school checklist. From organizing meal calendars to buying supplies, getting back into the routine can be a challenge for both parents and students.
But with a bit of organization and planning, you can diminish the stress related to the start of a new school year, though. To help families make the most of the last days of vacation and save time and money, RetailMeNot asked parenting experts to share their best back-to-school tips and tricks. Avoid the hassle and master your back-to-school prep like a pro with our guide.
10 easy steps to prepare for back to school
- Start putting away funds. “School shopping can put a real strain on your budget. Start putting away small amounts into savings each week to prepare for school expenses,” says Tiffany Aliche from The Budgetnista
- Have your shopping list ready. Whether the school provides you with one or you use RetailMeNot’s back-to-school supplies list, have a list handy to stay on track. Check off purchases as you go, and do not stray from the list
- Mark your calendar. Write all holidays and important school dates on a calendar. Take note of any extracurricular activities you need to pay for during the year, so you can budget for them. Shelly Maynard, also known as the Lynchburg Mama, also recommends using a handwritten planner to keep track of homework, projects, school events, etc.
- Get kids back into the bedtime routine. Start introducing earlier bedtimes, including a calming downtime period, to ease kids of all ages into the new schedule. That way, getting back into the bedtime and wake-up routine will be easier for all family members.
- Make sure all required summer reading or homework has been done. Ensure your kids start the new school year on a good foot. Review and go over any summer reading requirements before the first day.
- Prepare for the entire weeks’ breakfasts and lunches. Chopping and cutting required ingredientes in advance and packaging them into separate portions will save you a lot of time and stress. Check out these DIY school lunch recipes for inspiration.
- Get your home clean and ready. Clean out closets and drawers, put away summer and vacation items and have homework supplies all set. This will set the scene and create an environment conducive to staying focused.
- Reconnect with classmates. Schedule a few playdates to reacquaint.
- Have one last night of affordable fun. Build a fort in your living room and do a craft or another fun activity. Spend quality time together as a family to celebrate the end of another great summer!
- Schedule some “you time”: Block at least one 30-minute block in your calendar each day to have some time for yourself.
10 smart ways to save money on back-to-school shopping
Pencils, notebooks, backpacks, uniforms … school supplies and apparel can have a serious financial impact on families, especially if you don’t plan ahead for the expense. RetailMeNot is aware of this, so we asked our parenting experts for the best ways to save big on back-to-school shopping. Follow their advice and don’t break the bank this August!
- Go over last year’s stock: Before purchasing school supplies, take time to go through last year’s stuff. With a bit of fixing and cleaning, many of those old supplies can be reused, helping cut down the spend on school supplies. “At home, we tend to reuse pencil cases by simply cleaning them,” says Joyce Marrero from My Stay at Home Adventures.
- Again, stick to shopping lists: The best way to not overbuy and overspend is to create a strict shopping list and not deviate from it. No exceptions! If pencils, notebooks, clothes and backpacks are the only things on the list, only buy those.
- Settle on a budget: And try to stick to it. Setting a limit will allow you to have more control over the total spend and really help your finances. Needs over wants!
- Shop early for the best deals: Don’t leave school shopping for the last minute, and always look on RetailMeNot for deals on clothing and supplies.
- Check prices online: Before starting your shopping, take a look at the prices online and compare deals with the physical stores. Some online stores offer free shipping, so you may not even have to leave the house to get what you need.
- Use deals and promo codes: Coupons can save you serious bucks! Before any purchase, search RetailMeNot for discounts. “I enjoy bargain hunting for deals to save cash! Always search sites like RetailMeNot to see if there are back-to-school sales you can use,” Aliche says.
- Buy supplies in bulk if they’re on sale: Did you find a good deal? Take advantage of it! This is one of Caroline Murphy’s (Smarty Pants Mama) favorite money-saving strategies. “Most school supplies do not expire, so having an extra 48 pencils that you bought for $2 is useful for many years to come,” Murphy says.
- Consider leaving the kids at home: When going shopping at the stores, you might want to leave your kids at home. Wandering eyes and hands can wreak havoc on your budget. If you do take the kids with you, turn it into a financial lesson. Teach them about sticking to a budget, finding supplies that fall under certain price points and utilizing deals.
- Shop during the tax-free weekend: If your state offers tax-free or tax-reduced shopping weekends, take advantage and save some cash.
- Shop at thrift and dollar stores: These stores are a gold mine for bargains. You can find quality binders, paper, pencils and more for only $1 or less!
“Double-checking to make sure all required summer reading or homework has been done is one of the most important items on my list. I always want to make sure my student (I call her Super Girl) is entering another school year with the right tools and knowledge to succeed.”
Joyce Marrero is a home adventurer and mom of four. She loves to share frugal and money-saving solutions at her blog, My Stay at Home Adventures.
“Two important back-to-school essentials I always include in my checklist are tissues and sanitizers. These two are important supplies people tend to forget. Help your classroom out, and help them with these two items!”
Shelly Maynard, aka Lynchburg Mama, enjoys small-town living and sharing life beyond the barrels in Lynchburg, Tennessee
“Do not forget to schedule at least one 30-minute block in your calendar each day for ‘you time.’”
Caroline Murphy, mom of two school-aged girls, shares tips on living a smart life through good food, purposeful travel and rewarding parenting at Smarty Pants Mama.
“When school-supply shopping, take advantage of the incredible deals and stock up on non-perishable items and supplies.”
Have more back-to-school tips for parents and students? Share them in the comments section!