Everyone loves the feeling of new uniforms, school bags and shoes for back to school. There is something sharp and crisp about a new school year. In order to get the things you want and stay within a tight budget it takes careful planning and smart shopping.

Be on the look out for back to school sales, most stores will be having reduced costs on school items so take a day to shop around so you know exactly where you need to go come sale day.

Make a list, because most persons when spending tend to buy what they like instead of what they need. Once you have the list be discipline enough to stick to it.

Save money in other areas, if you have other area that you can save money, example carpool, prepaid bus cards or packed lunches then that will help to stretch the budget.

Break up the list, ask the teachers which books will be used in the first term and plan for the next shopping season to get the remainder of your shopping list.

In times like these we have to make the best of what we have and do not what we can to make the money work. So plan ahead and spend wisely.