5 Back-to-School Shopping Tips
Time to start buying school supplies – and don’t forget the clothing, bags and decisions and arguments about brand name or no name products.
If you are a parent buying for your grade school children you’ve been learning the ropes for a few years. However, if your child is new to school or you’re doing your own school shopping for the first time, you can benefit from a heads up on how, what and where to shop.
These five tips will help you save money AND your sanity!
DON’T DELAY
Shop early to avoid disappointment and get the best deals. Last minute shoppers will find their favorite stores are out of stock.
There will be plenty of supplies on sale by August. Don’t forget dollar stores for low prices on pens, paper and a myriad of other necessary items.
Got off to a late start? Then check out office supply or stationary stores, where they’re likely to stay well-stocked on all the essentials. These kinds of stores can save you a lot of time and effort since they’re bound to have what you need.
BUY AT BIG BOX STORES
If you have friends who are shopping for their kids you could try looking at membership stores or other bulk outlets as this will help save money.
You may not be able to get everything you need but essentials like paper, pens and the like can be loaded up and split among everyone saving you money.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Parents or classmates may be able to arrange for their school to purchase discounted supplies in bulk, sharing the reduced costs with everyone.
Not only will this mean great savings – it also saves you all the hassle of finding supplies, shopping around or dealing with complaints about brands or colors.
SEASON’S END SAVINGS
Stock up now on summer clothes and sportswear. End-of-season sales are a great way to find deals on clothes, especially for children participating in after school sports.
Make sure that the clothes you but now can be used in the winter. Choose skirts that can be worn with woollen tights and tank tops that can be worn under shirts. Cropped trousers can also be tucked into high winter boots. Forward thinking can provide your kids with a trendy winter wardrobe.
Be wary of school dress codes when buying clothes. Rules such as skirt length and showing bare shoulders may be in force.
THE PERFECT BACKPACK
Don’t forget the bag! Kids bags are often far too large and heavy for them which leads to sore muscles and even headaches. Always choose a backpack that sits no lower than the waist and look for styles with padded shoulder straps and a waist strap for added support.
Carrying a backpack or heavy purse or bag on one shoulder can cause injury. Heavy books should be carried in a backpack which is worn on both shoulders. However, if you prefer a bag or sac, it should be the kind which has a body strap since they do a better job of spreading the weight.
Have fun with back-to-school shopping and don’t get to stressed. Look forward to the excitement and possibilities ahead of you in the new school year.

essay

Caught up in the never-ending hassle of selecting just the right gifts for friends and family this Christmas? Here is the solution to your problem – whether you are looking for something cheap or branded, whether it is for your pampered little girl or for a boring co-worker, this article will surely help you find the perfect Christmas present.

1. Perfume:

This is probably the safest thing to give someone you don’t really know that much, because a good perfume is something everyone appreciates. You don’t really have to know a person very well to select a good perfume for them. The perfect gift when you need to create a good impression (like a gift for your boss or supervisor) is a good branded perfume. There are a lot of designer brands and celebrity scents that you can choose from, such as Chanel, Armani, J-Lo, among countless others. You can select the brand according to your budget.

2. Chocolates

Delicious, attractively packaged and available in a wide variety of types, prices and sizes, this is one very easy and usually highly appreciated present to give. Chocolates are loved by kids and adults alike, and this is the perfect present for close friends, your own kids, or neighbors.

3. Gadgets

When you can afford to spend a little extra and are choosing a gift for someone whose choice you know well, gadgets are an extremely good option. Apart from the latest phones and IPods, you can buy things like an LCD television, a DVD player, or a home theatre system if you want to go for really high quality, expensive stuff. If you want to avoid budget crisis, though, go for cheaper things like a universal remote (a super gift for people who own lots of remote operated gear and keep mixing up or losing the remote), memory cards, graphic cards for gaming fans, or the latest gaming consoles.

4. Tickets to a Sold Out Show

This is the ideal present for a sibling or friend who has been dying to go to a concert, a ballet performance or a high profile premiere. Get the tickets well in advance and give them to someone who could not get them. Add a lot of fun and excitement to your dear ones’ Christmas with this simple, easy-on-your-budget, thoughtful act!

5. Travel Package:

An ideal gift for busy workaholics as well as for retired parents or grandparents, this would surely make your loved one’s day. Buy plane tickets to a tourist’s paradise in or outside the country, or even for an exotic Mediterranean cruise, depending on your budget.

6. Gift Certificates and Appointments:

Get your mom a paid appointment for a luxuriant spa treatment, or get your sister a gift certificate for the designer jewelry she loves. The perfect gift for someone you really want to treat, this also allows the recipient some choice. Instead of giving your friend the outfit you fell in love with at the mall, give her the opportunity to buy the one she likes!

7. Get Creative:

Can’t afford expensive presents? Want to really touch your loved ones heart? Raid the art store and make your own presents. Carve an ornamental wooden box, use your painting or sculpting talents to create loving pieces of art, or just craft ornaments for someone’s Christmas tree. Show your loved ones that you care by putting in effort and time into your presents.

8. Magazine Subscription:

This is easy to get and is not too expensive either. If you know the person’s interests, this is a great idea. Get a years’ subscription so that every time the magazine arrives, your loved one will be reminded that you care!

9. Give a Pet:

A cute cuddly kitten, an adorable puppy, or a beautiful bird, all make lovely Christmas presents, as long as you are sure that the person is willing and able to provide the necessary care. Best for parents, spouse, or children, pets have the added advantage of relieving loneliness and providing a focus in life to people facing depression or social difficulties.

10. Monogrammed Presents:

These are a great idea for people who like putting their initials everywhere. You can get T-shirts, mugs, purses, ornaments and even jewelry monogrammed quite easily, and it is not too expensive either. This shows your loved ones that you indeed put in time, consideration and effort into their gift!