Filed under: How to Save Money, Savings Challenges, Spending
The start of a new school year represents a new beginning for students and parents. But for many budget-conscious families, it also represents a financial challenge. According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with school-age children will spend $669 on back-to-school items, up about 5 percent from last year. The total includes school supplies, clothing and electronics.But even for your must-buys -- your kids have grown and need new clothes; the school mandates certain supplies; and the computer you bought for the kids four years ago spends more time frozen than the ice cream you bought last week -- there are ways for smart, organized shoppers to save serious money: