The summer always seems to fly by, and before you know it, it’s back to school time! This can be a stressful time for both kids and parents, as kids vie to get into the classes they need, and parents must equip their kids with backpacks, books, clothes, and supplies, and get them signed up for their Fall school activities. Western Union (WU) is here to help you manage this busy time with some tips and tricks for getting your children ready for back to school smoothly.
Start a Checklist of To-Do Items
Especially if you have multiple kids, it can be hard to remember who needs what, and who needs to be taken where. A great way to manage this is to put together a free Google Doc that you share with your family members and kids. Here you can type out the name of each child and what classes and activities they need to be signed up for, and what supplies need to be purchased when. Since the document can be shared with the entire family, it’s easy to add and remove items as you need to and everyone can stay on the same page.
Import To-Dos on a Digital Calendar
Once you have your to-do list figured out, it’s easy to type those items into a free Google Calendar (through Google Docs or a Gmail account) that you can then link up to your desktop, phone, and mobile devices. You can even add notifications of your To-Do items, so you’ll receive reminders of what you need to do. You can share this calendar with family members and kids so everyone knows what needs to be handled when.
Order Items Online
Stores are sure to be jammed around back-to-school time, so why not order your school supplies and new clothes online if you can? You might actually be able to save money by comparison shopping, and also curb any unnecessary purchases by double-checking that you truly need everything you’re ordering before you hit the “Purchase” button. Kids can help out by making wish lists online of the things they want and need for easy ordering.
Buy In Bulk
Back-to-school time is when memberships to warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club can pay off big time. You can save money and time by buying supplies like notebooks, tape, markers, crayons, and pens at once in bulk so that you always have extra supplies when you need them. This is especially helpful for large families or families who live in rural areas and can’t make it out to shop for supplies often.
Back-to-school time can be stressful, but can become much more balanced and efficient by following these tips. Have any other suggestions for making a smooth transition from summer to school? Share your thoughts in the comments!
