Back to School Shopping Without Losing Your Sanity

It’s no secret that it’s almost time for Back to School. I’m not the first one mentioning this to you…every other commercial is about the supplies that you should be buying right now in preparation for the big first day.

I’ll be honest, I really love this time of year. No, it’s not because I want to get rid of my kids (not entirely). I really thrive with a set routine. Having too much free time or down time doesn’t sit well in my personality. It’s just too easy for me to be lazy.

On the other hand, back to school shopping can be a nightmare! Battling through overstocked shelves, fighting with the boys on the difference between their needs and wants, and the LINES! It’s enough to make you pull out your hair!

Here are 5 ways to make it through Back to School Shopping Without Losing Your Sanity:

1. Make sure you have your list. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? I never know when I will be in a store and see something on sale that the kids may or may not need for back to school. I keep their lists in the front pocket of my purse so I can easily cross items off as I pick them up. You do not know how many times that I’ve bought multiple sets of the same item….
2. See what you already have. I don’t know about you, but I have my kids’ scissors, rulers, pencil pouches, etc. that didn’t get over used last year, so my kids will be bringing them back again. This will help me to save money and reduce waste.
3. Buy in bulk. If you have more than one child, this just makes sense. But don’t forget that most of the supplies that your child needs are consumable. Pencils break or wear down, paper gets used, folders rip, or in the case of “Little Ricky,” things get lost. To stop the cycle of going to the store all the time, I buy certain items in bulk and keep them on hand at home. They are also great for homework.
4. Scope out the sales. Before heading out, make sure you know where you are going and what you are getting. Sometimes a store will have 25¢ marble notebooks…that’s cheaper than the Dollar Store! Make sure you know what sales are out there so you can save some money (and maybe go buy yourself a coffee as a reward!).
5. Shop early or shop late. Like I said before, I keep the supply list with me because you never know. Another reason for doing this is because I hate dragging my kids to the crowded store and waiting in long lines while they whine. You can also shop after school starts…like when you drop them off on the first day. Your child will only need some pencils and possibly paper for the first couple of days of school (take it from me), so go get the major items later that week when the store is less crowded.

 

 

 

DONATE TO ADOPT A CLASSROOM:

It’s a known fact that teachers spend upwards of about $1,000 a year for school supplies out of their own pockets! AdoptAClassroom.org connects donors with teachers to help get the kids what they need for a successful school year.

Great Clips salons have always been a great supporter of AdoptAClassroom.org. They are also offering back-to-school pricing for haircuts! Please visit your local salon for pricing details.

 

Here’s what Great Clips has done so far:

 

*Disclosure: Many thanks to Great Clips for sponsoring this post, as always, my opinions and my love for supporting teachers is all my own!