Doing Back-To-School Right
Kristina Holloman, Financial Coach/Employment Specialist Women’s Employment Network offers Back-To-School Budget Hacks to make this school year shine!
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It's that time of year again! The beginning of a new school year, new possibilities and possibly new financial burdens. Don't let this school year start with stress about finances but with a bang of deals and great planning!
Being a single mom of one, I know how overwhelming it can be to make sure your child has all they need to start a new school year. I cannot even imagine what it would look like to have multiple children. So, to change up this year I am sharing some of the tips I have used throughout the years to make this time of year more manageable. I hope they can be a good resource for all parents out there to make this the best year ever!
1.) Use your resources!
Looking for resources is the toughest part of the process, but there are so many options. I often start with the free ones which include churches, libraries and local businesses that have back-to-school celebrations and giveaways. You can get everything from backpacks, school supplies, sometimes even shoes and/or clothes, and groceries. These events are usually geared towards kids and fun events. Making it a fun event for the family. Here are a few:
Missouri:
-Back-To-School Resource Fair August 19th, 10am-1pm @ Kansas City Public Library North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Ave, Kansas City, MO 64123
-Grace Day! Back to School Drive Thru- August 5th, 10am-12pm @ Holy Trinity Lutheran Church serving Grandview, Belton, Raymore, Kansas City, and Martin City, 5901 E 135th St, Grandview, MO 64030
-KCPS Fest, August 5th, 10am-3pm, East High School, providing backpacks and Immunizations 1924 Van Brunt Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64127
Kansas:
-Back to School Bash, August 12th, 10am-1pm Vibrant Health Meeks: physicals by appointment, giveaways and 200 free backpacks located at 4313 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102.
-Back 2 School Bash, August 5th, 12pm-2pm @ Nexus Church, College Boulevard, 15101 College Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219
-Wyandotte County Back to School Fair, August 5th, 8am-1pm, Free backpacks and health screenings, F.L. Schlagle High School (Wyandotte county residents only) 2214 N. 59th Street, Kansas City, KS
-Swope Health Back-to-School Health Event, August 12th, 10am-2pm, Legends Field 1843 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66111
2.) Use discounts and cash back!
As a Kansas resident, I have driven to the Missouri side and have saved a ton by going to Target, clipping any deals/coupons on the app and purchasing in Missouri during the tax-free weekend. I have even come away with money-back gift cards using this method by purchasing Cat & Jack clothing line and utilizing in-app coupons.
Take advantage of Missouri's Tax-Free Weekend, this year August 4th-6th. Please keep in mind that some counties do not honor this like Jackson County. You can view the opt-out list HERE.
3.) Take inventory before you buy new things!
Sometimes your child or even yourself gets stuck on thinking you have to buy all brand-new items. First, go through the school supplies list and determine what you already have.
Depending on your situation it may be better to see what items were only lightly used from the previous year and take that off the list. I was able to get buy-in with my child by saying, that way we could get a nicer pencil box this year.
Make sure this year is like no other by creating or utilizing a back-to-school checklist.
4.) Invest in lightly used items!
Keep in mind clothes. Utilizing stores like 1/2 of 1/2 (880 Marshall Dr, Lenexa, KS 66215) or Savers, and other thrift stores to save on clothes for the fall.
Shopping Walmart, Target and other stores summer clearance to see what items can be transition pieces through the new year.
There is also a Back-to-School Children's Consignment Event in the Northland, August 6th to August 12th. Rhea Lana's of the Northland open to the public event at the former Sam's Town Casino located at 6711 NE Birmingham Rd, Kansas City, MO. All back-to-school items will be TAX -FREE August 4-6 during Missouri's Tax-Free Weekend. There is a private pre-sale event August 3-5 that can be reviewed on Eventbrite.
Get as many deals as possible and make this a fun time for you and your children to make this year shine!
Need help setting a back to school budget? Give us a call at (816) 822-8083.