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In the News - August 2009
Back to school II: Budgeting for school supplies
LITTLE ROCK - It's the annual end-of-summer ritual: parents and children,
lists in hand, perusing office supply and other retail outlets to purchase
what's needed for going back to school.
"For parents foreseeing the dollars flying out of their wallets as fast as
the supplies are filling the shopping cart, there is hope," said Laura Connerly,
an extension family resource management instructor with the University of
Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
Connerly offers these tips to save money at back to school time:
- Look for sales. Sale flyers are abundant. Make a list of the
supplies you need. Use the flyers to compare prices at different
stores.
- Use coupons. Check the Sunday newspaper for coupons. You can
also sometimes find coupons online.
- Compare brands. Store brand items are usually less expensive
than name brand products. Store brand pencils, paper, school glue,
and crayons usually serve just as well as the name brand items.
- Consider store options. Dollar stores often have low prices on
school supplies. Specialty stores may charge more. Think about the
stores available in your area and consider where you will get the
best prices. Second-hand stores may have backpacks and school
clothes.
- Find assistance if you need it. Some schools or local community
groups provide school supplies for families in financial need. If
you qualify, and if you need assistance, check with schools and
community service agencies in your local area to find out if they
provide school supplies.
For more tips on managing household expenses and other resources, contact
your county extension office, or visit www.uaex.edu.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
August 14, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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