Page 9 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 8-12-2015

Clear Lake Mirror-Reporter Lifestyle
(Family Features) While kids and parents alike eagerly await the fresh start of
a new school year, the back-to-school season is not without its share of stressors
for busy families. The start of school means new schedules, teachers, shoes,
backpacks and friends; as well as new academic challenges.
Adding some fun and excitement to the newness can help smooth the way.
For example, allowing kids to help choose their outfits for the first day of school
can help diffuse that nervous anticipation. Similarly, the chance to put a fresh set
of pens to use or show off a cool new notebook can provide a distraction from
those first-day jitters.
If the shopping itself is adding stress to your household, ease the back-to-
school burden on your family with these helpful tips to simplify shopping for
the school year ahead.
•Make note of your inventory. School lists often carry over each school
year, so make sure you aren’t buying multiples of things you already own. Some
supplies are more exciting when refreshed every year, but buying the same old
boring ruler year after year is simply a waste of money.
•Make a list with your children. Put everything you need on that list, and
be clear that once the list is done, it’s done. Having everyone on the same page
with a complete list helps ensure nothing vital is forgotten, and the list can serve
as a handy tool to keep your budget in check.
•Begin shopping as early as possible. Hunt bargains before the traditional
back-to-school season to get the best deals. Not only will you save some cash,
shopping before the rush will give you a wider selection to choose from, so you’re
sure to find the items you need in the styles you (and your kids) want. Spreading
the shopping over several weeks or months also allows you to distribute the
Organization is key for a
successful school year
(StatePoint) When the school year begins, students need to quickly get back
into the swing of things. Staying organized from day one can ease the transition.
While every individual needs to tweak his or her routine to best suit personality
quirks and study habits, here are a few tried-and-true organization tricks that will
work for most anyone:
Get Scheduled
While the word “bedtime” may have no meaning on summer vacation, during
the school year, it’s vital. A regular sleep schedule can mean better quality sleep and supplies, look for the Trapper Keeper Zipper
higher alertness at school. Likewise, a morning routine can help students focus and
prep for the day.
Family members should share their schedules with each other to ensure everyone
gets to practice, club meetings and other activities on time. Install a household
calendar or bulletin board in a central location to ensure everyone stays in the know.
Stomp out Clutter
Lockers and backpacks need to stay organized. Whether notebooks, binders
and textbooks are arranged by sequence of the day, subject or color isn’t important
so long as the system works for you. To create more storage space in your locker, add
durable, stackable locker shelving.
For on-the-go book hauling, look for a backpack such as the Five Star Expandable
Backpack that features two expanding compartments providing additional space,
along with protected storage for laptops.
Its patented zipper allows you to quickly get inside your backpack while it’s
hanging in your locker. Ergonomic patent-pending straps distribute weight to
comfortably support a heavy load.
To cheer up your locker with a boost of color and add a place for quick reminders
and mementos, try the Five Star Magnetic Mirror + Push Pin Board. Its slam-resistant
magnets will keep it affixed to the inside door of your locker. There isn’t much time
between classes, so a mirror is a welcome locker feature when there isn’t time for the
bathroom.
Organizational tools such as these can keep your ducks in a row all year long.
Also remember to set time aside weekly to clean out your locker and backpack,
Check out this page weekly for fun tips on a variety of topics. Brought to you by these community minded sponsors.
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Aug. 12, 2015 • Page 9
expense across several pay periods, helping lessen the chance that you blow your • Use technology to your advantage. Department stores and businesses that
monthly budget with one mega shopping excursion. sell school supplies, such as pharmacies and office stores, may or may not discount
•Be a savvy online shopper. Check out your favorite brands and retailers too many items once back to school season hits full swing. But savvy parents can
online, and sign up for their email alerts, so you’ll be in the know when the best still find deals by using technology to their advantage when shopping for school
deals hit. Many retailers now offer online-only specials, so watch ads closely to supplies. Download apps like RetailMeNot to your smartphone and enable its
know when you’re better served making purchases in-store or online. Also keep updates so your phone essentially notifies you of any discounts the moment you
an eye out for free or reduced shipping for extra savings that make it even cheaper walk into a given store. If you don’t receive any updates, search for discounts via
than buying in person when you factor in the cost of gas. Remember that you the app or the Internet as you shop. Chances are strong that there are deals to be
can also rely on social media to follow back-to-school offers and hashtags. had, even if you don’t learn of the deals until you arrive at the store.
•Create a back-up bin at home. You may find that your kids consistently •Make the old new again. Turn barely used items into something new by
run out of certain items midyear. Devote a special area of your home to keep decorating or adding stickers. Not only is this a fun activity that can help get the
extras in stock, and take advantage of sales during back-to-school season or buy kids excited about and engaged in planning for the year ahead, it’s easy on the
in bulk to get a better price. budget and eco-friendly. Keep leftover supplies on hand to revive the enthusiasm
•Put quality ahead of price. While it’s tempting to go for cheap when your with fresh designs at the end of the quarter or semester.
list is long, remember that sometimes quality buys actually save more in the long •Swap with other moms. Make back-to-school time more fun by hosting
run. You can buy a ton of cheap pens that skip, or simply stop working. a swap event with other moms for clothing, backpacks, shoes, etc. It seems that
•Make your children shopping buddies. Involve your kids in the back-to- kids are forever trading with their friends, so embrace that mindset and see what
school shop- ping process by giving them a budget. Help them allocate money exciting new treasures you can find for your kids to call their own.
for all the expenses, including clothing, school supplies, shoes and more. Use • Spend more now to save later. While inexpensive supplies can be hard to
the opportunity to talk about how shopping smart for the necessities can leave resist, such items likely won’t withstand the test of time, forcing you to spend
room for some fun buys, too. time and money each year buying replacement supplies. Paying more now for
•Reduce and reuse. Save plastic and money by encouraging kids to embrace certain items, including stronger backpacks and more highly rated calculators,
reusable items, such as lunch bags in place of paper sacks and plastic containers may end up saving you money in the long run, even if the initial pill is somewhat
instead of sandwich bags. If water bottles are allowed at school, look for a durable tough to swallow.
refillable option that can be used again and again.
throwing out candy wrappers and crumpled Binder + Expansion Pocket, which features Back-to-campus time
notes. storage for textbooks and a tablet, and has and money saving tips
Personal Organization an adjustable strap that allows you to carry
Students need to be able to keep more the binder messenger style or on your back. (StatePoint) Moving to campus can be a fun and exciting time for
belongings than ever with them throughout At home, it’s easy to get distracted any student, but it can also be costly. There are several ways to save on
the day -- traditional school supplies, from important tasks like studying and all the things your student will need to make his or her dorm a home
paperwork, flash drives, calculators and homework. Create a dedicated work space away from home.
other electronics. A binder that can contain away from televisions and other distractions. To get on the right track for a successful year at college, check out
it all will give students a chance to make Make sure the area is comfortable, well-lit these tips from the discount experts at Dollar General.
sure their lives are in order, not just a class and conducive to great work.
at a time. For a secure method of carrying More study tools and tips can be found Do Your Homework
at www.Mead.com. Many colleges provide online resources and virtual tours of dorms
binder, with pockets and dividers to keep The right tools and habits can empower to give you an idea of what is provided, what you’ll need to bring, and
items organized, and the Five Star Zipper students for a successful and organized what items are prohibited by the school. Reach out to future roommates
school year. and decide together what household items can be shared, like a coffee
maker, microwave or TV.
Make the Dorm Home
After a long day of classes, a dorm should feel like going home.
Personalize the living space with matching bedding, décor and other
linens. Retailers like Dollar General offer a large variety of affordable,
trendy dorm fashions to make rooms unique and personalized. You
can also stock up on favorite snacks and quick meal items for more
enjoyable study sessions.
Find the Sales
Start the school year right with new school supplies. Stock up on
notebooks, highlighters, pens and pencils for studying. Students will
stay better organized with a day planner, calendar or dry erase board
to keep assignments and due dates in check.
Back-to-campus sales can often provide the best bang for your
buck on such essentials. Take advantage of extra savings with digital
coupons and auto-renewal programs to save even more money and
stay stocked on campus essentials. Auto-renewals can provide quick
delivery to your address, saving time better spent studying.
Back-to-campus is upon us. Save time and money while getting
prepared.
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