The school season is fast approaching – it’s time to get all the supplies your child will soon need. If you’re worried that your wallet will soon become considerably lighter – here are some tips and tricks to help you get back to school – on a budget with ease.
Recycle old school materials
Before heading to the mall for some “back-to-school” shopping, take stock of what you already have from last semester. If things can be re-used – why spend unnecessarily?
Checklists help stick to the budget
Create a checklist of the absolute necessities – and stick to it! A checklist will ensure that you do not stray from the basics and end up spending a fortune on things that randomly attract you. It would be a good idea to have the checklist approved by your child’s teacher. Go old-school with a paper based checklist or get savvy by downloading the latest checklist mobile app on your smartphone.
Did you know about the parent-school contracts being signed this year in UAE schools?
Make the most of the sales
Before you head out for your shopping trip, find out where the best sales and deals for schools supplies are. An internet search or talking to other parents would be a good idea. Those notebooks and pencils may look cheap on their own, but they add up to cost a lot. Take a look at the products starting from AED 19 at the Baby Shop or check out Emirates COOP‘s latest offers. You can even order for home delivery of these supplies online on 6pm.com or Souq.com. Don’t forget to hunt for discounts with your credit card.
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Saying “No” is important
There are plenty of the “back-to-school”deals and promotions splashed over practically every mall in the UAE. Don’t give in to the excitement by buying unnecessary items. If you’ve taken your child along with you for the shopping, now would be a good time to teach them about planning and sticking to a budget. You could make a game out of it where you compete with each other on resisting temptation. Indulge in a treat at the end of your shopping trip as a reward for being good.
Family team work is always fun
Need to get books wrapped? Don’t waste money getting it done outside. Gather the whole family together for a book wrapping session. Not only do you save money, but you also get time to bond with each other.
Also read our Back-to-school: The 10 step guide
