How to Cut Down on Back-to-School Stress and Spending

Brought to you by NewsUSA

It’s an odd time of year. While there seems to still be plenty of summer left, glossy back-to-school fliers are filling mailboxes and inboxes. It’s enough to give even the most easygoing parent a raging headache.

Before you grab the aspirin like it’s a life preserver, take heart: Getting your kid ready for the school year doesn’t have to mean cruising a packed parking lot for a space, arguing over clothes that seem better suited for a music video than for math class, or maxing out your credit cards.

The following tips will help minimize your stress levels, while saving some dollars, as the back-to-school season hits:

Make a list
Like any good coach, draw up a game plan before you hit the mall. Make a list of what your children need (and sizes) and stick to it, just as if you were buying groceries.

Go window shopping
A week before you head out, ask your kids to “window shop” by visiting websites of their favorite stores. Visit comparison-shopping sites to search for the best prices. Also, check for sales in the fliers in Sunday’s paper or on your favorite shopping blogs.

Search deals on the web 
There are plenty of websites that offer deals for parents and kids, designed to make lives easier and cheaper. Check out apps like OfferUp, Poshmark, etc. Also take a look at some of your favorite stores online and see if they offer any coupons that work in store.

Shop for essentials first
A few weeks into the school year, when peer pressure kicks in, kids are bound to come home with a list of must-haves. So buy just the essentials at the beginning of the season rather than everything at once (there will always be another sale). Insist that your kids leave the tags on their clothes until they’re about to wear them and hold on to receipts so you can easily return anything they have second thoughts about.