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August 2006 ETC Corner
Avoid the Back-to-School Blues
With These Budget-Friendly Ideas
By Janet Burke
Assistant Editor, P31 Woman
It's back-to-school time, and according to retailers it's the second busiest time of the year next to Christmas. School supplies, backpacks, clothes, shoes… it can add up fast, especially if you multiply all that by two or more kids!
What's a Mom (or Dad) to do to avoid the back-to-school blues?
It's as easy as A-B-C!
Avoid or cut down on trips to the Mall.
Check out consignment or thrift stores. In my area (Phoenix) there are lots of clean, well-organized stores. You can get better quality clothes that are new or nearly new for a fraction of the cost.
Outlet and warehouse stores are typically a lower cost alternatives to mall shopping. Just make sure you're not paying extra for super premium brand names.
Shop at garage sales. I read about a mom (author of the Cheapskate Gazette) who clothed all five of her children for $50 a YEAR! That was in the mid-nineties, but never the less, the fact is that shopping at garage sales will save you big bucks!
Shop online. There will be less pressure and you'll save time and gas! Many stores have clearance sections on their web sites and/or offer free shipping for the back-to-school season.
Shop in your own closets. If you have more than one child, go through closets and drawers looking for outgrown clothes that can be passed down to younger children.
Buy smart.
Ask your favorite store if they will match competitor's ads. There's no sense in driving all over town if one store will match the competitor's ads.
Clip coupons, look for rebates. Back-to-school season is prime time for rebates on large ticket items like computers and cell phones and coupons can be used (in some cases even doubled) on less expensive supplies.
Find out if there is a "tax holiday" during back-to-school season in your state. During "tax holidays" you don't pay any sales tax on your purchases.
Collaborate with other parents.
Buy in bulk with other families. You may be able to save money by buying larger quantities of supplies and dividing them among two or more families.
Shop ads, then divide and conquer with a shopping partner. Get together with a friend, go over the ads, and then you can each go to different stores to pick up the best deals.
If your kids wear uniforms, ask about a uniform exchange at your school, or consider organizing one. This is great way for parents to exchange or pay garage sale prices to other parents for uniforms their kids have outgrown.
Neighborhood or clothing exchanges at your church are another way to get the clothes you need and help other parents at the same time.
Earning an "A" with Your Child's Teacher:
Establishing a Positive Rapport
By Amy Carroll
Amy Carroll has spent time on both sides of the school conference table. As a teacher fresh out of college, she struggled with nerves as she met with her students' parents, but she thinks that sitting on the parent side of the table is even harder. Keep reading for tips on developing a good relationship with your child's teacher from day one.
As a student, we all looked forward to school with visions of reuniting with friends, buying brand-spanking new school supplies, and sporting our first-day-of-school outfit. As a parent, we're usually a little nervous about those first days of school and the uncertainty that they bring. There will be another adult spending a large portion of the day with our precious child, and each of us wants to build a positive relationship with our child's teacher. Here are some suggestions for starting the school year on the right foot.
Before School Starts:
Pray, pray, pray about your child's placement with the teacher that God has in mind.
Pray for the teacher that God provides.
Attend any "Meet the Teacher" events with your child. This will make your child more comfortable as well as giving you an opportunity to give the teacher your contact information and to offer support from the beginning. Teachers are extremely busy at the beginning of school, though, so make your contact brief.
Have your child write a letter to his new teacher that includes information your child wants his teacher to know about himself.
Purchase all the requested supplies so that your child starts school with the things needed for success. If your budget allows, most teachers are thrilled to receive some extra supplies for children who cannot afford them.
During the First Week of School:
Read all the information that the teacher sends home about classroom rules and procedures. Take some time to review these with your student to let her know that these expectations will be reinforced at home.
Some teachers include a worksheet for parents in the beginning-of-school packets that allow parents to give feedback on their child's strengths, weaknesses and special needs. Make sure to fill these sheets out thoughtfully and restate your intention to support the teacher.
If this kind of worksheet is not provided, schedule a conference in the next few weeks to cover this information with the teacher. It's so much better to have an initial positive conference than to wait until problems occur to meet.
If you are able to volunteer in the classroom, let the teacher know what your availability is. Working moms, don't despair! Many teachers also appreciate parents that can help at home with projects such as cutting out bulletin board items. Your presence in the classroom should be to support and not just to scrutinize. Check your motives!
If Problems Occur:
Address problems or questions quickly either through a conference, notes or email. Wait to pass judgment, though, until you talk with the teacher. Teachers aren't perfect, but "folly is bound up in the heart of a child" (Prov. 22:15). Sometimes our precious little ones engage in the "both ends against the middle" power play that pits home against school.
Because of this, don't talk about problems with a teacher in front of your child. Although your child must know that you are his advocate, you and the teacher need to provide a united front until there is conflict resolution.
Make sure to try to work out problems with the teacher first before approaching administrators. Following the chain of command ensures that small problems are solved directly with the teacher without hurt feelings and resentments.
Make decisions based on the best interest of your child rather than on pure emotion. Since God is the one who loves your child more than anyone, pray about any school decisions that need to be made. Our suggestions begin and end with prayer!
Top 10 Reasons to Get Organized
By Donna Otto
1. You will have time to enjoy life. You will know how to schedule personal time for just yourself, whether it is an evening art class or an hour of reading.
2. Your physical and mental health will improve. You will have a confident attitude. You won't have the guilt of procrastination, the stress of time pressure, or the anxiety of mismanagement. Erma Bombeck said, "I don't have stress, but I'm sure I am a carrier." The pressure points that create stress are eliminated when a person is organized.
3. You will be in control of both big and little things. Whether it's a large wedding six months from now or a backyard barbeque next Saturday, you will have a plan for making sure that everything comes together on schedule.
4. You can say "No" without feeling guilty. You will know what your obligations and commitments are months in advance. With such information at hand, you can decline additional requests and explain why you must say no for now.
5. Your life can become less complicated. Organized closets, pursed, cupboards and laundry rooms will save steps, energy, needless repetition, and frustration.
6. You can be a caring person. You will not only have a system for remembering birthdays and anniversaries, but also the time to send cards and do things for friends and neighbors.
7. You can save money. A disciplined budget and a dependable record keeping system will allow you to control cash flow and take advantage of sales.
8. You can reach goals. You will become task-oriented and accomplishment-minded. You will make daily progress on projects and finish what you do.
9. You can make wise choices. A home or business that is under control serves as a comfort and support during times of challenge, career redirection and uncertainty.
10. You can please others. Your husband will praise you for meals served on time, and your children will appreciate your being able to attend their sports events and activities at school.
From Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time by Donna Otto (formerly titled Get More Done In Less Time Copyright © 1995 by Donna Otto). Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.
Click here to purchase this book from P31 ministries
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