It’s that time of year again when students are eager to begin a new grade and parents are busy planning their budgets for books, clothes, and school supplies and making mental notes of what to buy. Back-to-school specials and offers have begun to appear in-store advertisements around the nation. However, if you are careless, you could overspend on pointless school supplies that appear to be on sale. The answer? Make a list and get started early before you go shopping.
Starting early also allows you time to benefit from sales that are being provided in the weeks leading up to the start of classes. For the best prices, check out our list of “21 essential back-to-school items in the UAE, for 2022,” or go to a store close by. But before you do, make sure you heed some crucial advice to avoid going overboard during the back-to-school season.
1) Make two lists – things you have and things you need
Keep an eye out for emails from your child’s school that include a list of the things they will need for the upcoming grade. These will be offered in the school supply items.
Make a table listing the things needed and their prices at the school supply store.
2) Time for a scavenger hunt
Look through your child’s leftover school supplies from the previous year before you put everything in your cart and proceed to the checkout. Many of the things on your list are probably things you already own. Supplies are frequently sold in bulk in school supply and book stores. These can be forgotten in drawers and cabinets because they aren’t always used up. You can come across unused items like pencils, erasers, crayons, highlighters, colored pencils, and glue sticks for crafts.
Check your child’s backpack from the previous school year to see whether there are any scarcely used supplies, such as notebooks, that were sent back by the teacher when classes ended.
Verify that your child’s school uniform for the following grade will be the same as it was for the previous one. Have your child try on all of their uniforms, including their socks, sportswear or attire for physical education classes, school-approved swimsuits, and shoes, to ensure that everything fits. Items that don’t fit should be thrown away or donated, and you should add them to your shopping list.
Examine the state of items like your child’s current lunchbox, pencil case, and school bag to see whether they require a replacement and add it to your list accordingly.
3) Hand me downs and secondhand supplies
Using hand-me-down uniforms, particularly sweaters and jerseys is a smart way to save money if your child has an older brother. Check out websites that list used devices, tablets, and books, such as the Facebook Marketplace. Not all things need to be novel. Additionally, it will teach your youngster about sustainability and how to be environmentally friendly.
Also Read: The school calendar for 2022-2023 can be found online
4) Take advantage of discount shops and back-to-school deals
When you go shopping, be on the lookout for all the back-to-school deals nearby. For instance, as part of the Sharjah Summer Promotions, the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) has offered discounts of up to 75% on a variety of school supplies.
For the back-to-school season, major retailers including Carrefour, Lulu, and Union Co-operative are also giving discounts. Additionally, there are some things on which you really don’t need to spend a lot of money. In various inexpensive stores in the UAE, including Daiso, Discount Market, and Day-to-Day, you may find pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and paint. It is ideal to get as much in bulk as you can, but don’t go overboard and purchase more than you can store or what you actually need. This is where Step 1’s advice to add quantities to your list can really help you save money.
5) Spread out your purchase
Examine your list to determine if there are any items that are not necessary right away and can be bought later in the year. For instance, you can purchase winter clothing as winter approaches. You might be able to get lunch boxes and water bottles for cheaper at clearance sales if you wait a few weeks after the start of school. Consider seasonal discounts as well. There are some things you should never purchase in advance or even close to the event. Planning ahead and shopping for products like Halloween costumes or Eid-themed gift boxes shortly after the event has passed is advised because stores may be offering steep discounts.
6) Compare gadgets required for school
A tablet is currently required for online learning programmes in the majority of UAE schools. To compare costs and features, visit several electronics retailers and online shopping portals.
A tablet is currently required for online learning programmes in the majority of UAE schools. To compare costs and features, visit several electronics retailers and online shopping portals. Before making a purchase, confirm with your child’s school which programmes will be utilized for the following grade and that they are compatible with the tablet you are considering. Check the tablet’s display parameters as well to be sure they won’t harm your child’s vision.
7) Know where you should spend
Knowing what purchases are supposed to last you a long time will help you decide whether it is wise to spend a bit extra on them. For instance, the ideal school shoe must be both comfortable and sturdy. It might cost a much to buy something. The same holds true for book bags. Lack of sturdiness in the bag may cause additional stress on your child’s shoulders, back, and neck. It is wise to plan your spending so that you have more money for the larger items.
8) Educational books for free
Each year, Book Hero in the atrium of the Oasis Center distributes thousands of free textbooks to children and parents. The festival will be held once more this year from August 7 to September 4. As part of its mission to promote reading and make educational books available to everyone, Book Hero offers four free instructional books for every student.
All the students need to do to claim the four free books is to supply some basic personal information and documentation of their academic enrollment.
9) Use social media
Even if you may not be a particularly tech-savvy parent, you should nonetheless use social media. Join local or school-based Facebook parent groups.
There’s a good chance that parents are selling used textbooks, uniforms, or other materials that would cost a fortune in a store. Create a WhatsApp group to purchase, trade, or even swap stuff if you are already close friends with the parents of the children in your child’s class. Purchasing in bulk or cooperating to get great deals are other options.
You might save a tonne of money every back-to-school season and lessen the stress of last-minute shopping trips by adhering to these easy measures.