Austere Back to School Tips
Welcome back!
This can be a very expensive time for families as kids go back to school and they need all the accoutrements that go with that.
A major problem that parents face is that often kids don’t know the difference between needs and wants. They don’t think anything of thinking they need the newest clothes and most expensive school supplies.
It’s the job of the parent to reign them in and teach them the values of austerity and to clarify needs and wants. This can be extraordinarily difficult with children, whom generally don’t respond well to reason. This is why one must be the parent in the relationship.
I won’t pretend to be an expert in parenting. My wife and I are waiting to have kids until we can afford it. Which is what many people in this country don’t do. They have kids left and right and don’t think it through. We have decided to buck the trend and put money away first, before they come along.
One of the main philosophical tenants of this blog is to deny yourself until you’ve earned it. And we have not earned children yet. To save and plan for something you really want makes it all the more rewarding when you stop denying yourself.
I bring this subject up because there have been many articles in various news outlets about parents becoming more frugal this fall because of the tough economy. Essentially, hand-me-downs are back in as is shopping at thrift stores. Parents are also seeking ways to get their school supplies cheaper.
Keep in mind, if you’re shopping for your kids, that there is always somewhere where you can buy something cheaper. Walmart generally has the cheapest of everything but they’re not the only place for a deal. While some people hate Walmart, it’s not a bad place for a deal and in the future we’ll be talking about the virtues of Walmart.
Times are tough and the retailers know this. They are tripping over themselves to provide you the best back to school deals. It’s your job as an austere consumer and responsible parent to take them up on it.
