BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – According to the National Retail Federation, the average cost of back-to-school shopping is about $875 per child this year.
But filling those backpacks doesn’t have to empty your wallet.
TV5 spoke to Seth Poplaski, the community engagement manager for University Credit Union, to learn some money-saving tips.
“Back to school, we’re in the thick of it right now,” he said.
Poplaski is also a dad who’s no stranger to back-to-school shopping.
He says, step one: make a plan. Start by getting a list from the school or teacher.
“Making a list, bringing it with you, staying to that list, and then making sure you’re not buying all these outlandish things you don’t really need,” Poplaski said.
If your loved one is heading off to college, open a dialogue about money.
He says it’s easier to have these conversations early rather than wait until after your child gets into financial trouble.
“So, if you have a child that’s going to college, whether it’s on the University of Maine campus or the University of Maine System, there are people all across the state, especially with us, who are able to actually sit down and talk to you about the benefits of saving versus spending, wants versus needs, and really going down through creating a budget for you that works within whatever you have for finances,” he said.
With a return to the classroom just days away for most students, it may be too late to start saving up.
But, Poplaski says back-to-school shopping is an annual expense you know is coming. So, going forward, try to set some money aside throughout the year.
“You know, it can get exciting, right? Like you make a plan, you say, okay, oh, cool. I get to be able to do this now. And I have that budget so I can go and buy some fun things, like the, you know, the Crayola crayons, the nice things that you might not be able to get if you weren’t ready for that,” he said.
As for making the most of the budget you do have, look for sales. When it comes to buying clothes or shoes, try thrift stores or Facebook Marketplace.
Reach out to your community for hand-me-downs. If you have extra, offer to share with friends and neighbors.
“We’re a small community, but I think we can do really big things if we all help one another out,” Poplaski said.
If you have any money left over in your back-to-school budget after you’re done shopping, Poplaski suggests supporting your child’s teacher.
Many purchase classroom supplies out of pocket but have Amazon wishlists set up for easy access.
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