Get All of Your School Necessities without Breaking the Bank

The start of a new school year is an exciting time - until you draw up your shopping list. Clothes, sports equipment, backpacks and supplies add up, not to mention the continuing cost of school lunches. But don’t resign yourself to spending a small fortune. There are plenty of ways to equip your kids with the items and fashions they’re clamoring for, plus nutritious meals, without maxing out your credit cards.

Clothes

Start creating new school wardrobes by hitting local resale and consignment shops, where you’ll find good quality, gently used clothing at a fraction of its retail price. Unlike thrift stores, which accept all donations, resale and consignment shops are selective about their purchases, they look for fairly current styles and brand names like Gymboree, OshKosh B’Gosh, Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Purchase just the basics before school begins, then wait. Fall clothing starts going on sale as early as mid-September. And once your kids have been in school a few weeks, they’ll likely spot new clothing trends they’ll want to incorporate into their wardrobe.

For even more savings, see if your church or mom’s group will sponsor a clothing swap. This is a great way to score bigger-ticket items like winter coats and boots. And don’t overlook coupons. If you go online, you can find them for
just about anything you need.

School Supplies

The best thing to do first is contact your child’s school and see if you can get a list of supplies from the teacher so you don’t buy items that your child will not need. As you’re looking for bargains on those school year essentials, don’t forget to peruse the aisles of your local Big Y. You’ll be able to get everything off of your child’s school supplies list while you’re checking items off of your grocery list.

Backpacks are among the priciest of school supplies. Keep an eye out for special offers and giveaways, such as a local sports team that is handing out free backpacks to everyone who attends a game on a given day. If you’re a sewer, take out your needle and thread; most sewing companies have backpack patterns.

If you have younger kids and you’re in the market for a new lunch box and thermos, hit garage sales, which are one of the best spots to find them. But don’t assume your child needs a new one every year; transform last year’s set with new stickers featuring the latest hit movies or toys.

Learn which off-brands are just as good as the name brands. RoseArt products, for example, are much less expensive than Crayola, but often perform just as well. Fiskars scissors, on the other hand, might be pricier than their cheaper plastic counterparts, but they last a long time, while the others tend to easily break.

Finally, don’t forget to think creatively. That battered plastic container might no longer be good for food storage, but it makes a great case for holding your son’s crayons and markers. Heavy-duty plastic storage bags can work well, too.

School Lunches

Packing lunch every day is the healthiest, cheapest option for your child’s midday meal. And kids typically don’t mind if you keep it interesting. PB&J sandwiches and carrot sticks are fine, but they get old after a while. Purchase a quality thermos or two that really keep foods hot or cold until lunchtime, then fill with leftovers like chili, stews or pasta, and sides like fruit salad or pasta salad.

If your child likes sandwiches and wraps, send the sauces and toppings in a plastic container so the sandwich doesn’t get soggy by lunchtime. Save leftover fast food condiment packets and toss those in, too.

Add snacks in case your child’s lunch hour is on the early or late side to prevent impulse purchases of unhealthy sweets. A few foods most kids seem to like: pretzels, animal crackers, raisins and popcorn.

Sports

Sports equipment can be quite costly. But you can score quality seconds at shops like Play It Again Sports. Another good spot: the online community. Plenty of kids sign up for sports only to discover after a few sessions they’re not interested after all. Or they hit a growth spurt and those nearly new shin guards or cleats suddenly don’t fit. Parents who have invested a small fortune outfitting their kids often turn to sites like eBay and Craigslist to try and recoup some of their investment. While you’re looking to see what’s out there, post some of your own lightly used sports items; you might end up earning enough in sales to cover the cost of your purchases.

Another idea: talk to your child’s coach. Oftentimes, the coaches know which parents are looking to buy or sell their kids’ used equipment.

Travel costs are another pricey item in the sports budget. Other parents are often happy to carpool to distant meets, so don’t hesitate to ask. If you’re faced with hotel costs, look for discounts at Web sites like Priceline and Hotwire. And go for the spots that offer free Continental breakfast and fridges in the room, which will allow you to save on meals.

Keep tabs on your child’s interest and motivation, too.
If she loved soccer the first two years but now isn’t really into it, it might be time to quit - and save those fees or use them toward something she’s more passionate about.

With a little creativity and shopping around, you can find alternatives to spending outrageous amounts of money while still giving your kids the latest fashions and school accessories.

Make Big Y your school lunch headquarters.
We have what you need to pack a perfect lunch every day - sandwich fixings, sides and snacks your kids will never trade!

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