Now That The Kids Are Back In School, It’s Time to Get Schooled on Saving Money

Now that the kids are heading back to school you’re going to have to shell out a lot more cash to make sure they have the things they need in the classroom and at home. Not to mention, that once school starts the holiday season is just around the corner. However, there’s no reason to be alarmed by the onset of the school year. With just a bit of planning, preparation, and creativity, you can save money this season like you never have before. Check out these easy ways to save money on the school year.

Saving Around the House

First up, let’s talk about finding ways to save around the house during the school year. If you can find ways to cut your spending in the home, you can essentially use this money for things your children might need for the school year. Some easy things you can do would include:

• Reevaluating your budget– the cooler weather will be in full effect pretty soon and that’s when the cost of living can really soar. You may want to consider reevaluating the household budget to see where you can cut back. One area might include your gas and electric costs. You’ll find that need to pump up the gas will also pump up the bill. If you’re looking to save on energy costs, check out sites like www.localelectricitycompanies.com where you’ll find a list of qualified Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas electricity companies that offer affordable rates.
• Have Your Heating System Serviced– now is a good time to have your heating system looked at. Changing the air filters and other routine maintenance tasks will save you money in the long run. A certified HVAC specialist can ensure that your heating system is in tip-top shape so that you don’t’ have the high price tag of making repairs.
• Get the Car Serviced – unless your children are taking the bus this school year you’re going to need to make sure that you have reliable transportation. Now is a good time to have your vehicle serviced to make sure that it is running efficiently. Routine tasks such as an oil change, tire rotation, and a tune-up may be necessary to make sure your car can survive the cold weather.

Saving for School Outside of the House

So now that you’ve found ways to save and prepare for the school year inside of the home, let’s talk about some ways in which you can save money throughout the duration of the school year.

• Pack Lunches– If your children have to pay for a school lunch, you might be better off packing a lunch for them. Not only does this save you money, it also allows you to make sure that your children are eating healthy foods. It’s also not a bad idea to pack your own lunch for the school year; it could save you a few more bucks each month.
• Prepare Afterschool Snacks– Instead of taking the kids to Burger King or McDonalds after school you can prepare their snacks for them. When they get home, they can simply pull the snack out and enjoy.
• Walk or Carpool– If your children are close enough to school that they can walk; this is a great way to save money, the environment, and give them a bit of exercise each day. However, if you live a bit further from their school, carpooling is another option that you might be able to work out with moms in the area.

Each of these suggestions is fairly simple to implement and can easily become part of your daily routine. With all the money you’ll save by including these tips into your daily life, you can put the funds away for the holidays or even save the money all year so that you can go on a fun-filled family vacation during the summer break, which will be here before you know it.