Things You'll Need:
- Newspaper with back-to-school flyers
- Master list
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Step 1
Acquire the school list. Each year, most teachers put together a list of supplies that each child will need to start the school year. Some teachers make the list available in the district area stores or it can be picked up at the school. Once you have the list, start going through your home and finding the items you already have. Cross off the items as you collect them and then retype or recopy the list so it's not confusing. What remains on the list is what you need to buy for school supplies.
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Step 2
Go through your children's wardrobe and put aside for charity what doesn't fit. Look over what is still useable for school. With your children, decide on a new top to go with pants that still fit, or new pants to go with some tops. Combine a few new items with what they already have to create new outfits. Make a list of what your children need for the first few weeks. In most parts of the country the weather will be warm for a while, so why buy sweaters, coats and boots now?
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Step 3
Discuss the backpack with your children. Is it time for a new one or will the present one still work? Choose what type of backpack to buy by looking at the back-to-school flyers.
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Step 4
Study the back-to-school flyers for the best deals and the store that has everything you need. During back-to-school sales, most stores will put the school supplies in one place and new clothes will be displayed near the front of the store. Before you head out shopping, explain to your children that you are sticking to the list for supplies and clothes. Once everyone knows the purpose of preparing for school is to obtain what you need, not what you want, go to one store. Your list is your plan, so with that plan and the back-to-school flyers, execute the shopping strategy--take care of the supplies first and then the backpack, if needed. Once that is done, go to the clothes section and stick to the list for either new tops or new pants.
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Step 5
Planning with a list, explaining the purpose of back-to-school shopping and creating a strategy for the chosen store, will save you time, frustration, and energy. You should be done in about one hour.
