Back-to-school season comes around every year, but it can sneak up on parents and theirbank accounts.
Thats a lot of money for pencils and glue (and MacBooks).
Here are nine strategies for reining in your back-to-school budgeting.
Need some extra money? We’ve rounded up 25 of thebest side hustlesto boost your income.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up.
When money is tight,these resourceswill help nearly everyone.
9 Tips to Keep Your Back-to-School Budgeting on Track
1.
Take inventory of which supplies you already have at home.
When creating your list, dont forget the costs that arent obvious.
For example, will it’s crucial that you buy uniforms or equipment for sports or other after-school activities?
Will your child need a physical before heading back to school?
Establish a Spending Limit
Its important to create a spending limit youre comfortable with and that covers the basics.
Shopping for school supplies without a budget will only set you up for overspending.
Create your budget based on regular retail prices rather than current sales.
Overestimating your expenses will give you a little wiggle room when its actually time to shop.
After youve totaled up how much you expect to spend, do you have enough money?
If not, youll have to adjust.
Pad Your Back-to-School Shopping Budget
Earning extra money always provides a little financial stress relief.
That holds true for back-to-school season.
Ask your employer about picking up extra shifts or working overtime.
Find a temporary side gig, like dog walking, delivering groceries ordoing odd jobs via TaskRabbit.
Talk to your teens about school shopping expectations.
Have them share some of the cost of items that dont fall within your budget.
Each payday, you should set aside $200 in your sinking fund to cover the upcoming expenses.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
Implement Challenges to Save Money
Saving money can be difficult, especially when you dont have much time.
Saving challenges can help you put aside more money than youd think.
If you shop using cash, challenge yourself to save a certain denomination whenever it hits your wallet.
Perhaps yousave all the $5 billsyou get as change.
Or try ano-spend challenge.
Talk to your kids about the cost of their school supplies and ask what is most important to them.
After identifying a couple select splurge items, find ways to get everything else for less.
Its a great way toteach your kids about how to budget.
Think ahead to what your student is likely to need next year, especially higher-priced items.
Use price trackers likeCamelCamelCamel for Amazonor theWalmart price tracker appto watch for the lowest prices.
Snatch them up throughout the year instead of waiting until the last minute.
Need a Hand With Bills?
Listen, we know its tough out there.
But theres no shame in asking for help.
These companiesmake it easy to help yourself and your bank account.
Check for Free or Reduced-Price Back-to-School Supplies
Some national retail stores likeVerizonoffer free back-to-school giveaways.
Verizon provides a free backpack filled with school supplies, one per child, while supplies last.
Various nonprofit organizations operating at the local level likeThe Salvation Armyprovide back-to-school assistance programs.
Check locally for programs through your public library, police department or city recreation center.
Contributor Veronica Matthews writes on lifestyle topics from North Carolina.
Nicole Dow is a former writer at The Penny Hoarder.
