Even though I feel like summer is just beginning, it is clearly back to school time in the stores.

It seems as if most schools now issue a supply list so that parents can purchase school supplies in advance of the start of the school year.  That's a big help since you'll be forewarned if a teacher requires s specific sort of notebook or pen.

Here are a few hints to make your back to school shopping more cost-effective and efficient:

• Check to see if your state is planning a tax holiday.  Many states schedule one during back to school shopping.  If your state has one, it makes sense to target your big purchases (e.g., a laptop for a college student) to that time period.  The tax holidays are often limited to clothing, electronics, or school supplies, so check your state's gudielines.  You can find a listing here. Keep in mind that many stores will offer specials during the holiday, compounding your discount.
• Look through last year's school supplies.  Many things can be used again this year.  Rulers, protractors, pencil cases, scissors, compasses and the like need not be replaced each year. 
• If you find a particularly good sale on a consumable product, stock up and hide the excess.  A student is likely to need paper, pens, pencils, folders, etc. later in the year when they aren't on sale.  So buy extra now.

But going back to school is more than shopping:

• If you don't have it already, establish family reading time. No tv, no mp# players, no computers.  If your kids are older, everyone can read quietly together.  Otherwise, older kids can read to younger, parents can read to children, children can read to parents.  Make regular trips to the library part of your family's routine.
• Start thinking about school lunches.  Make a list of things your child(ren) will eat and keep it handy.  Use that to plan weekly lunches so you'll always have supplies on hand and you won't face te lunch crisis every morning.  And no, Lunchables should never be an option.  Have you ever read the nutritional info on those things? 
• Set aside a place and a time for studying.  A flat surface, good lighting, and quiet are absolutely essential.
• Establish a command center for backpacks, gym bags, permission slips, etc.  Have one place where you leave all those things.  Maybe post a monthly calendar as well.  You won't always remember to put things there, but it's nice to have a place to start looking.  And when you find the backpack in the middle of the family room floor, everyone in the house will know where it belongs!