Its time to focus on getting all those supplies and items for back to school. Using a sustainable approach to this frenzied season not only saves money but saves our natural resources. It also gives your kids something cool to share with their friends.
Clothing is often the most expensive items. Turn your shopping trip into a treasure hunt but asking the kids to forage through the aisles of your Goodwill or other thrift stores to find vintage or designer labels in their size. No time to shop, organize a clothing party for little or no cost children’s wear of all sizes. This is especially great for accessories and babies clothes that are too small before they even get a chance to wear them. With the advent of apps like Closet Swap it is easy to find used clothing locations or areas where parties are occurring.
There are many creative ways to find supplies for free or reduced costs. Teachers can visit local school resources like Tools for Schools or Resource Depot to find items that companies no longer need and have donated to the organization for use in the schools. Office supply companies have programs like binder swaps so you can take in a old binder and get a new one on the spot for this year.
Try outlet stores and shop the newspaper circulars for savings on paper, pens, pencils, etc. Do a swap at home if your older child has things that can be used by the younger. Encourage frugality with a little reward. Calculate the savings from re-purposing and reusing. Then put that into a vacation fund for the family. A trip to your favorite vacation location like Disney will get the everyone working. The kids may come up with more ideas to save and see that fund grow quickly.
Please share your ideas or web finds in the comment section below. Together we can make a green difference!
