Summer is still upon us, but it's already that time of year again - getting ready for going back to school.

 

Before you head off to purchase supplies and clothes for the new school year, take the time to get organized and inventory what you really need. This will ultimately save you time and money, and help reduce stress.

 

Start by carving out time to sort through your child's closet and drawers to determine what fits and what needs to be given away. Begin with one closet or drawer at a time. Keep a large garbage bag handy to gather items for charity and create a separate sorting area for items you will keep. By working on an individual drawer or specific area of the closet, you will be able to manage the task at hand without getting overwhelmed.

Do your kids have a light-weight coat, scarf, hat and gloves for the cooler autumn temperatures? Do they need shoes? If so, write down what styles and sizes, as well as other clothing essentials.

 

Before you shop, be sure to check if your school requires a dress code and adhere to the guidelines. Also, if school pictures take place in the fall, consider getting the outfit when you shop for school clothes to avoid rushing out at the last minute.

For school supplies, designate an area of your home to store your child's artwork and other supplies, and determine where your child will do their homework. Include on your shopping list clear storage bins for colored pencils, pens, crayons and other craft supplies. Use your child's school's "supply check list" as a guide of what you will need to purchase. There is no sense in spending time and money buying things that you do not really need. Your list should also include a supportive backpack and a lunchbox or an eco-friendly reusable lunch bag rather than paper lunch bags to help reduce waste.

Now you will be fully prepared to hit the stores - and hopefully good sales - armed with a list of what your child really needs so that you can accomplish your back-to-school shopping smartly and efficiently. Once you are done, you can relax and enjoy the rest of summer and start the new school year off organized and stress-free!