Originally published as an interview on KARE 11 by CeCe Gaines. This version was edited and repurposed by Sunrise Banks. Original interview available here: How to budget for back to school shopping Off Site Link.
Key Takeaways:
-
Treat back-to-school shopping as a large expense, like a vacation or the holidays
-
Shop your home for items you can reuse
-
Source local community resources to keep items budget-friendly
In an interview with KARE 11 News Off Site Link, Jean Chalifoux Kiely, EVP Director of Consumer Banking at Sunrise Banks, spoke about how to budget for back-to-school expenses as the school year draws near.
Chalifoux Kiely said in the interview that many families don’t consider back-to-school a large spending time like a vacation or the holidays, but the costs can really add up. While many schools provide technology items like iPads, there may be additional items to go along with that, such as headphones.
As you get ready for the school year, take inventory of what you already have and what you can reuse.
“So first, shop your house. Look for things that you might have within your home that you haven’t used or that still have some time left in them,” Chalifoux Kiely told CeCe Gaines Off Site Link and the KARE 11 audience.
That includes backpacks that may just need to be washed or shoes that may have been a little big last year and fit well now.
Chalifoux Kiely also recommended buying generic brands when possible, as name-brand items can add up.
For parents who are unsure of how they’re going to afford everything this year, Chalifoux Kiely says to look at resources across your community.
“I would encourage those families to talk with their school directly or within your community,” she said in the KARE 11 interview. “I even have some different Facebook groups that I’m involved in that have free sites. If you have that extra backpack, post it on there for someone else who might be interested. Then, your child can have a new-to-you option.”