I was originally going to write this post specifically about high schoolers, but realized that I could apply most of these tips to my college age children as well. Let’s face it, getting your kids back to school is crazy expensive, but I have a few tips to help make it a little less so. I have 4 kids after all and it gets hella expensive.  Between the required books, school supplies, clothes and possible dorm supplies, it’s easy to spend a small fortune. Here are some of my best money saving tips:

1. Most schools require special immunizations for incoming college freshman and high schoolers as well and high school athletes will need an athletic clearance physical every year. In my experience, these can be cheaper at a local urgent care than your pediatrician or general physician co-pay. Our local walk-in clinic has a deal with the school where they do these quick visits for only $25. Unless you have specific concerns or your child has health issues in which you should definitely see your regular doctor, I think it’s worth it in saved money and hassle to pop into one of these wellness clinics. Make sure your child’s regular doctor updates their records with the immunizations received so their file is up to date.
2. When it comes to college textbooks, the most expensive place to buy them is often the school store. They may offer them in a used version which is cheaper or offer to rent them to you for the cheapest rate but be aware if your child loses them or damages them, they’ll charge for you the full cost of a replacement. Only you know how responsible your child is and whether this is too much for them. Some of my kids like to own their books so they’re free to highlight them and mark them up as they please and some of the kids prefer digital copies so they aren’t lugging books around. I always check Amazon by the IBSN number to see their price, they are almost always significantly cheaper and they sell used books as well. You should order early to allow for shipping times as most used books do not qualify for prime shipping. Another great resource are used bookstores which are often found around college campuses. I have had the best luck with Amazon and often found the exact same books, workbooks, and even digital manuals the school provides at a fraction of the cost.
3. School clothes and back to school clothes shopping are most families biggest expense this time of year. I believe that once kids hit middle school, it’s best to sit down and work out a budget per child of what you can reasonably expect or afford to spend and let them manage that themselves. It teaches them great life lessons about budgeting and money management, math and life skills of problem solving and long term thinking. That being said, don’t just throw a number at them and let them loose in the mall (they are teenagers which means they are inherently dumb, impulsive creatures, no offense, it’s just science). Sit them down first and explain that they will be responsible for the choices they make and they need to make sure they choose school appropriate clothing that will take into account their school’s particular dress code requirements as well as the weather wherever you live. If you’re shopping in August, little poorly developed teenage brains are not thinking that Winter will ever arrive and therefore will not plan for a coat or boots. When cold season comes around they will be stuck with a bunch of crop tops and denim shorts which, although admittedly a great life lesson they won’t soon forget, will cost you more in the long run in pneumonia medicine and last minute trips to buy a winter coat from the bargain bin. Let them know if they budget well enough, they can keep the leftover. You’ll be shocked how suddenly they become little coupon clipping geniuses of thrifting. Who knew they had it in them?
4. Required reading school book lists- this is much the same as #2 above although I have to say for this one I often find these books at the library bookstore, thrift stores or used bookstores. Amazon’s used section will have these particular titles for as cheap as 25 cents as well. Think about it, parents across America will have to buy the same books every year- most end up donated. Make sure you get the list of required reading at the beginning of the school year- no late night last minute Barnes & Noble runs for you! Saving money and sanity. If you have more than one child, write your last name in the inside flap and hand that sucker down to all your kids. My children drew little illustrations and wrote funny notes to their younger siblings in all their handed down copies (always hilarious, often inappropriate). We have a shelf in the house where required reading books are stored and that way they aren’t lost under someone’s bed or left in a locker at the end of the year. We have managed to hang onto most of them through four kids so it seems to be working.
5. Dorm supplies and care packages- there’s a lot of stuff you need when you’re moving into your first dorm and it adds up. Some stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond sell packages and offer to have it ready at the store closest to your school, but often freshman don’t have cars on campus and those stores are pricey for basic items. I have found most of these items can be purchased through Amazon prime and shipped free to an on campus mailbox or bought during freshman dropoff during a single Walmart run at a reduced rate. Plus, you really don’t need everything they tell you that you’ll need. You are most likely sharing a room with at least one other person who got the same list and the room is probably the size of your kitchen pantry at home, so there’s no space or duplicating anyway. A shower caddy, plastic organizers for under the bed, hangars, bed linen and towels, and you’re good. Anything else can be added later off Amazon prime. Also if you’re wanting to make sure your college kid has the basics and don’t want to assemble a huge care package box yourself, Amazon also does these amazingly well. They even have ones with toiletries and cleaning supplies. My boys loved getting these and all their friends would comment how cool and helpful it was. Here’s an example of a popular one I sent them every 3-4 months they were away.  They also have specialty care packages for when they are sick or have finals or for healthy snacks.

Not much we can do about the cost of actual school supplies besides taking advantage of all the special sales that happen this time of year. Also not a lot of control over the cost of yearbooks, ASB cards or parking permits, etc. But we save where we can and we hope they appreciate the small fortune they’re costing us. Hopefully when they’ve graduated and have good jobs (lol at the economy rn) they will put us in the slightly better than terrible nursing homes, am I right? Remember when we used to complain about the cost of diapers? HAHAHAHAHHAHA, if only we knew how good we had it back then.