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3 Money Saving Back-to-School Shopping Tips

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The National Retail Federation (NRF) is expecting this year’s back-to-school shopping season to be the most expensive ever. According to their survey, on average, families with children in grades K-12, plan to spend nearly $700 and those with college students plan to spend nearly $1,000, both the highest ever recorded by the NRF.

Parents are feeling pressured to overspend and many are worried about hitting the stores this year. The good news is that with a little planning, you can successfully manage these additional expenses while managing your stress.

Here are three steps you can take to plan for the upcoming back-to-school shopping season:

Make a plan before you shop.

Take some time to assess your financial situation. GreenPath’s budgeting worksheetbudgeting worksheet is a great way to get started. Once you have good handle on your current financial state, determine how much you truly feel comfortable spending.

Take stock of what you have versus what you need.

Prioritize your needs list. What do you need to buy before school starts and what can you purchase later? What really needs to be replaced versus what can be reused? If new clothes are a need, many stores will be clearing their shelves to makes way for winter clothing. This is a good time to stock up at a discount.

Avoid impulse buys.

Take your needs list with you and stick to it. If your kids will be shopping with you, share the list with them beforehand. Better yet, have them help you create it.

If they want something that isn’t in the budget, offer them the option to chip in their own money. Generation Z has become more involved than previous generations and are spending more of their own money on back-to-school supplies. Teaching your children about finances plays a critical role in forming a healthy attitude about money and setting them up for long-term success.

We Can Help You With Free Financial Coaching

Looking for additional support before you head to the stores this fall? GreenPath’s professional, caring Financial Wellness Experts will assist you in assessing your financial situationassessing your financial situation and guide you to create a personalized plan to achieve your goals. We work with thousands of people each week to pay off debt, improve credit and lead a financially healthy life. Speak with a Financial Expert.

GreenPath Financial Service

If you’re interested in building healthy financial habits, paying down debt, or saving for what matters most, take a look at these free financial tools.


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GreenPath is a non-profit credit counseling organization. GreenPath’s goal is to offer guidance and support to individuals seeking to manage and overcome financial challenges through education, financial counseling and debt management programs. The information provided is for educational purposes only. Consulting with a licensed financial advisor and tax advisor is recommended before making any major financial decisions. GreenPath is not a debt settlement company, credit repair company, credit repair service, nor does GreenPath provide debt consolidation loans. By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that GreenPath is not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the information provided on this site.

Need help setting up a spending plan? Call GreenPath today for a free counseling session.

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