Chicago Bankruptcy Lawyer Blog

If you haven’t already started (or finished) your back-to-school supplies shopping because you’re a bit strapped for cash, welcome to the club! Higher oil prices have resulted in higher prices in just about everything else, not just at the pump and the grocery store.. You’re on a limited budget, but you know that you have to buy this stuff, and your kids keep reminding you on a regular basis. So what’s a parent to do? Go shopping smart.

Remember one thing; the retailers are in the same (sinking) ship as you… they need the September through December retail sales to put their numbers in the black. Simply put, they need YOU. You control your own pocketbook and you have to pick and choose wisely. So here are a few ideas to make the most of those shopping sprees.

Shop the back-to-school sales. Sounds simple, but don’t buy it unless it’s on sale. Look for BOGO (buy one get one) deals -- free is best, but half price is good, too. Several of the office supply stores are offering one cent deals; great for getting rid of those pesky pennies in your pocket. Stock up on supplies that offer the highest savings; when the kids come back to you in October because their notebook is filled, you can draw on your stash and not have to go out and pay full price.

Forego the celebrity endorsement -- you need your money more than they do. The branding phenomenon is what really costs. Yes, your little girl wants the Hannah Montana notebook and pencil box, and your tween wants the Nick Jonas loose-leaf folder, and Heaven knows what your teenager wants on his stuff, but you know it can’t be good. Dumb it down, make it plain and simple, without the high profile celebrity picture.

And speaking of plain brown wrappers… do you really need those fancy book covers that snap on in a second and cost about $3 to $5 each? Remember the days we used brown paper bags that we got for free from the grocery store? Here’s a thought; go to a moving supply store and buy a giant roll of brown packing paper for about $30. The one we bought 5 years ago is still going strong, and we cover books and notebooks (we’re talking more than a dozen books per kid) for three kids each year.

And still speaking of plain brown wrappers… can they brown bag it? School lunches are notorious – never sure what exactly they’re supposed to be and you can never be sure your kids are eating them anyway. Make lunch at home, and send your youngster off to school with something you know they’ll consume. Oh, and forget about those pre-packaged deals with juice, crackers, some odd bit of sausage or cold pizza on a mini bagel and a bag of Skittles. They’re high in fat, salt, sugar, additives and yuchiness and they’re expensive to boot.

Last but not least -- two words: Dollar Store.

-- Debt Diva for DebtStoppers