The start of a new school year brings a lot to be excited about, but preparing for it can be expensive and overwhelming for both you and your kids.
Here are some tips for knocking out your back to school to-do list while minimizing stress and finding ways to save.
Get immunized
The end of summer is a great time to get your kids in for their annual check-up. Most schools require vaccinations to be up-to-date.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most healthcare plans cover these yearly preventative check-ups and shots at little or no cost to you, meaning there really is no downside to getting your kids in for an appointment before their schedules get too busy.
Medicaid also partially covers all of the recommended vaccines for children. If you don’t have health insurance or are worried about the out-of-pocket costs, you can visit insurekidsnow.gov to see if you qualify for the low-or no-cost healthcare options in your state.
FamilyWize discount prescription cards are also available for free. You can contact Clearfield Area United Way at 814-765-6521 or go to Familywize.org to print a card that’s reusable and good in all 50 states. Clearfield County residents have saved nearly $70,000 through the years.
Save on supplies
If it seems like back-to-school spending costs an arm and a leg, you’re right—families with children in elementary through high school planned to spend an average of $700 on back-to-school gear annually. But luckily there are plenty of opportunities to save on supplies.
Clothing tends to top families’ back-to-school spending. You are encouraged to take inventory of what you already have before heading to the store.
Make a pile of anything that no longer fits, and make plans to donate, hand-me-down or garage sale these items. This will help you figure out what your kids actually need (not just what they want).
And do the same for school supplies. Call 211 to find out about resources in your area.
Get their brains warmed up
Get your kids back in school mode with some review activities. The Department of Education and Camp PBS Kids offers free resources and fun activity ideas for helping young school-age children designed to keep kids engaged in education throughout the summer.
Encourage Good Sleep
The relaxing days of summer make it easy for your kids’ sleep schedule to get out of whack. They stay up too late watching movies, sleep in until lunch because, well, no school!
But in these starting weeks of the school year, it’s important to get them back into a regular sleep schedule, so they’re bright-eyed and ready for that first early morning school day.
Prepare your schedule
Will one kid have swim lessons on Wednesdays, while another has soccer Tuesdays and Thursdays? Think ahead to your kids’ school year schedule and start planning for how your kids will get where they need to go.
If you’ll need after school care, check into what programming your school offers or look for organizations or some churches may offer these programs.