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Back-to-school season can bring excitement and anticipation, but it can also create financial pressures for families covering school fees, textbooks, lunch accounts, classroom supplies, clothing, and athletic shoes.

Parents can reduce stress and stretch their budgets by taking stock of what they already have at home. Supplies leftover from the previous school year can often be reused or repurposed for homework stations and home office needs. When shopping for new items, comparing prices and seeking the best deals can help families save money. If purchasing everything at once is difficult, prioritizing essential items like pencils and crayons while donating general classroom supplies later can ease the burden.

Clothing is another area where families can plan strategically. Going through children’s closets to identify outgrown items and focusing on immediate needs first can help limit spending. Some fall clothing purchases can wait until the weather changes, and secondhand stores or garage sales can offer quality, affordable options. Creating a list and setting a budget for each child, while discussing wants versus needs, helps teach budgeting and decision-making skills.