Avoid the Back-to-School Blues by Staying in Budget

Ah, budget. Your favorite six letter word. Ok, fine, your favorite six letter word is probably cheese, not budget. It sounds crazy, we know. However, once you see the positive impact a budget can make to your financial health, you might start loving budgets as much as you love those little Babybel cheeses. Creating a plan for your monthly spending is important but planning for specific events like back-to-school shopping is equally if not more important. It's easy to overspend when there isn't a budget in place and simply say, "But I had to! This is a once-a-year thing. I'll catch up later!" Unfortunately, later does not always come around, and as we all know unexpected financial strain can happen at any time. Luckily, if that happens, [Avio Credit](https://www.aviocredit.com/) is available to help. But for now, let's focus on back-to-school budgeting and saving as much as possible on the essentials <i>and the extras</i> on your list. ## Savvy Ways to Save on School Supplies There's nothing like a freshly sharpened pencil to bring those back-to-school memories rushing into our minds, but frankly the nostalgia is not enough to make us forget that as adults we have to pay for everything on the supply list. And those lists? They're long. These days everything is expensive. A great way to save money on school supplies is to buy in bulk. If you budget for those supplies now and pay a little extra for the larger package you won't be running back to the store next month when your kiddo loses all of their pens or hands them out to friends. Sharing is nice after all, right? Try to find BOGO options and stock up. A [great resource for excellent deals](https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/couponing/back-to-school-supplies-stock-up-price-list?amp=1),<a href="#one">^[1]</a> couponing tutorials, and thrifty tips is the Krazy Coupon Lady. KCL recommends always holding out for the best deal and provides tips for finding coupons that that will make the supplies on your list cost effective leaving room for other, higher priced, items on your back-to-school shopping list. ## Keep the Kids Well Dressed Without Breaking the Bank We can all remember a piece of clothing, a pair of shoes, or an item that was the one thing we really wanted when preparing to go back-to-school. Chances are your kiddo has an item or two in mind as well. But those items are not always in the planned budget. One workaround is to find ways to spend less on the essentials. A thrifty shopping hack and popular option is to look at secondhand items. If you're new to the slightly used clothing world, allow me to introduce you to the best kept secret for savvy shopping. [Thred UP](https://www.thredup.com/kids)<a href="#two">^[2]</a> is an excellent resource for consignment and thrift store options that are budget friendly and eco-friendly. Talk to your kiddos about the importance of taking small steps towards sustainability to create a buzz of excitement around the thrifting process. This conversation will be especially helpful if they're dragging their feet and begging to go to a big box retailer instead. The smallest changes can make a big impact on our planet <i>and our wallets</i>. Back-to-school also means major sales at most clothing retailers, so for the items you can't find at a resale shop, stay on the lookout for discounts and slashed prices. A mix of new and used items can result in a fashionable wardrobe that is also financially responsible. ## Tasty, Thrifty Lunch Ideas As food costs continue to rise, it has never been more important to plan budget-friendly meals . Back-to-school planning is a great opportunity to assess your kids' lunch plans and make budget-savvy adjustments. There is no end to the number of tips and tricks available online that can help you create [<i>thrifty and tasty</i> lunch options](https://www.smartcentsmom.com/cheap-school-lunch-ideas).<a href="#three">^[3]</a> Meal prepping is a great option for adults <i>and</i> kids although prepping for kids' lunches looks a little different. You can buy snacks and chips in bulk sizes vs individually packaged products and divide portions into [reusable snack bags](https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-reusable-snack-bags-4692284).<a href="#eight">^[8]</a> Keep the bags stocked and ready to go for an easy morning lunchbox prep. If you are struggling to stay within budget at the grocery store, check out our [Top 5 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget](https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/577/conquering-life/top-5-tips-for-grocery-shopping-on-a-budget).<a href="#four">^[4]</a> Set your monthly target budget for lunches and if possible, utilize online ordering and online discount retailers to ensure you stay on track. It's much easier to accomplish meal planning on a budget when you're able to avoid impulse purchases, especially if you have the little ones in tow at the store. ## Prepping for the Extra Cost of Extracurriculars The cost involved with extracurricular activities is worth every penny when you consider the long term mental, physical, and emotional [benefits reaped by kids who stay active](https://www.webmd.com/parenting/benefits-extracurricular-activities-kids).<a href="#five">^[5]</a> Whether your child enjoys sports, academic extracurricular activities, or school clubs you are likely to incur a fee or two for t-shirts, uniforms, equipment, or even travel in some cases. When you're on a tight back-to-school budget, it can be a little nerve wracking as you add up the costs and face the decision to say yes or no to something your child truly wants to invest time and energy into. Saving as much money as possible on all other back-to-school necessities is a great first step that will hopefully free up the necessary funds. But if you're still a bit short, when balancing all of these costs, [an installment loan from Avio Credit](https://www.aviocredit.com/installment-loans/) could be the solution. You'll want to weigh out the pros and cons and do your research to [see if an installment loan is right for you](https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/575/personal-loan-facts/is-an-installment-loan-right-for-you).<a href="#six">^[6]</a> Perhaps a loan won't be necessary, but Avio Credit always has your back and we're here to lend a helping hand if and when you need us. ## Budget Basics Building a back-to-school budget can feel a little intimidating, but the first step is to get started. Write a list of items you'll need to get your kids prepared and off to school. Include a list of extracurricular activities you expect your children to participate in and estimates of the costs associated. Spend an afternoon doing a little bit of research online to get an idea of each items price range will help you build your budget appropriately. If you're brand new to the world of budgeting, this article is a great place to start: [Budgeting Unlocked: 6 Steps to Create a Budget](https://www.speedycash.com/resources/356/financial-tips/budgeting-unlocked-6-steps-to-create-a-budget/).<a href="#seven">^[7]</a> Stick with it and try not to get discouraged and overwhelmed with back-to-school budgeting. The years go by quickly, so enjoy every stage of the journey. ### Sources <div id="one">^[1] Alana (2022, June 5). *2022 Back-to-School Supplies: Use This Stock-Up Price List So You Don't Overpay* Retrieved from: [https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/couponing/back-to-school-supplies-stock-up-price-list?amp=1](https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/couponing/back-to-school-supplies-stock-up-price-list?amp=1) <div id="two">^[2]Retrieved from: [https://thredup.com/kids](https://thredup.com/kids) <div id="three">^[3] SmartCents Mom (2022, August). *Cheap & Easy School Lunch Ideas* Retrieved from: [https://www.smartcentsmom.com/cheap-school-lunch-ideas](https://www.smartcentsmom.com/cheap-school-lunch-ideas) <div id="four">^[4] VanOverloop, Michelle (2022, August 18). *Top 5 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget* Retrieved from: [https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/577/conquering-life/top-5-tips-for-grocery-shopping-on-a-budget](https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/577/conquering-life/top-5-tips-for-grocery-shopping-on-a-budget) <div id="five">^[5] Reviewed by Brennan, Dan MD (2021, March 02). *Benefits of Extracurricular Activities for Kids* Retrieved from: [https://www.webmd.com/parenting/benefits-extracurricular-activities-kids](https://www.webmd.com/parenting/benefits-extracurricular-activities-kids) <div id="six">^[6] VanOverloop, Michelle (2022, July 21). *Is an Installment Loan Right for You?* Retrieved from: [https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/575/personal-loan-facts/is-an-installment-loan-right-for-you] (https://www.aviocredit.com/resources/575/personal-loan-facts/is-an-installment-loan-right-for-you) <div id="seven">^[7] Frazier, Lacey (2020, June 05). *Budgeting Unlocked: 6 Steps to Create a Budget* Retrieved from: [https://www.speedycash.com/resources/356/financial-tips/budgeting-unlocked-6-steps-to-create-a-budget/] ( https://www.speedycash.com/resources/356/financial-tips/budgeting-unlocked-6-steps-to-create-a-budget/) <div id="eight">^[8] Elwell and Werner (2022, August 02). *The 5 Best Reusable Snack Bags in 2022* Retrieved from: [https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-reusable-snack-bags-4692284] (https://www.thespruceeats.com/best-reusable-snack-bags-4692284)