The kids will be heading back to school soon. Fun for them, but expensive for parents. The National Retail Federation reports that the average family with kids in grades K-12 will be spending just over $630 dollars just to get their kids ready. In total, an estimated $65 million will be spent on kids heading back to school this year.

With that in mind here are a few ideas and tips to get the kids back to school without breaking the bank.

• Be prepared- Download and print a copy of your school’s supply list before you go shopping in case the stores don’t have it.
• Spread it out- Start early to take advantage of rotating sales from competing stores. Be on the lookout for great sales everyday.
• Get app-savvy- If you haven’t already, start downloading apps that can help you compare prices and save money. Find store-specific coupons and special offers with apps from Wal-Mart, Staples, Office Depot, Walgreens and Target.
• Think outside the box (stores)- Obviously, you’ll find much of what you need at big retailers like Target, Wal-Mart and Staples. Avoid the crowd and still save money by checking dollar stores and even supermarkets for school supply sales.
• Shop at home- Chances are you can find at least a few of the items on your kid’s school list right there at home. Unsharpened pencils and packages of sticky notes still in their wrapper, Kleenex, etc.

Finally…….

• Hold off- Don’t make major school supply purchases until after the first couple days of school. Individual teachers will let them know what specific supplies, if any, they’ll need for that class. Don’t send them empty-handed — they’ll surely need pens, a notebook and a folder — but don’t spend $20 on a huge binder with all the bells and whistles just to find out that it won’t fit in a desk or locker.

Good luck and here’s to another great school year filled with nothing but A’s and B’s!

–Jim