ACCC provides seven tips on how to save money on back to school shopping
Boston, MA – August 9, 2018
It’s that time of year again when summer is coming to an end and the school year is approaching. Both parents and students are probably thinking about how expensive school supplies and extracurricular activities can be. By planning ahead and making a budget, consumers can save money and get everything they need for a successful school year. To help consumers budget for back to school shopping, American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) provides tips for saving time and money.
“Going back to school can cost you a lot if you don’t plan ahead, particularly when it comes to purchasing clothing and supplies, and planning for school-related activities,” said Steve Trumble, President, and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “It is important to do your research for the best deals and to start making your budget plan as soon as possible. Your back to school shopping experience will go smoothly with a proper budget.”
A recent survey by Coinstar found that 57 percent of families have a back to school budget in place. The survey also found that nearly half (49 percent) of parents expect to spend between $100 and $300 per child this coming school year, followed by 27 percent of parents who plan to spend between $300 and $500 per child. According to the survey, respondents say the largest budget expense is clothing (57 percent) followed by school supplies (18 percent), extracurricular activity fees (14 percent), electronics (eight percent), and tutoring (two percent).
American Consumer Credit Counseling provides seven tips on back to school budgeting.
- Inventory – Make a list of things you already own and can reuse.
- Set a realistic budget – Set a budget that you know you will be able to achieve. ACCC’s budget calculator gives families and students insightful information on how their expenses are going to be used and where to make the necessary adjustments.
- Make a List – Before you go shopping, make a list of what you need, so you avoid impulse buys.
- School Charges – Figure out how much your school charges for their meal plan so you can weigh the pros and cons of making lunch at home or buying at school.
- Extracurricular activities – Make a list of all the extracurricular activities and their costs to make sure you have enough money set aside.
- Look for back to school sales – Shop around and do your research to see if any stores are offering discounts.
- Shop smart – Choose practical back to school supplies and avoid fancy pens and pencils that you don’t need. Consider buying store brand supplies.
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, home ownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
