We are transitioning from one “S” season to another; Summer is about to roll over into the school year! As temperatures cool, back-to-school shopping is heating up. And if your child is one of the over 50 million returning to school in the fall, this is an expense you’ll be getting (re)acquainted with quite soon. This shopping is a must for any family preparing kids for the fall, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bank-breaking experience. Here are some of our favorite times to lessen the burden of back-to-school shopping, and some other great tips to save extra money as well.
Redeem Those Rewards!
When it comes to back-to-school shopping, there are items that are a must-have that can cost a pretty penny. It was projected in a survey from 2013 that back-to-school shopping would average of $634.78 on all the clothes, supplies, shoes and other items. Oh, and that number is just for one child. So, why not get something back on some of these expenses? If you have to do something, get the most back from it right?
Try utilizing credit cards that have a high percent of rewards points to use exclusively for your back to school shopping. The more you use on your credit cards, the more rewards you can reap. Find a card with at least 2% reward value to get the most back from your necessary purchases for the kids. Don’t forget to research special bonuses your credit cards may offer that are geared specifically for back-to-school shopping to get even more value.
Bind to Your Budget for Back-to-School Shopping
Sticking to a budget may seem so obvious that it can be overlooked, but binding to a firm budget will help you keep on track with all the required items for back-to-school and help you to not be tempted to buy all the other “extras” that will be popping up in the store aisles. As tempting as it can be to buy a bunch of super-specific supplies or coordinate sets, it’s probably not the financial choice to make for your family.
A good place to start when coming up with your budget is checking your spending from last year. This will help show average pricing of items and see extras that you bought that you probably don’t really need again. Another guide to follow when constructing your budget is the required back-to-school item list. You can use last year’s pricing to help you estimate how much you MUST spend, allowing you to more accurately determine what you CAN spend total.
It’s Okay to Change Your Mind! Return Protection with Credit Cards
Kids have been known to change their minds from time to time, especially when it comes to back-to-school apparel and gear. But having to constantly keep buying new items is a sure-fire way to go over budget.
Try utilizing return protection offered with some credit cards. As long as you have your receipt and/or statements, you may be able to get your money back – even if the store itself isn’t honoring refunds. Make sure to do your research on your credit cards’ policies and practices to be able to take full advantage of this helpful feature.
