It's hard to believe, but Labor Day is only 5 weeks away.  That means that back to school shopping has begun.

You need to have a plan for your shopping. You should start with the school supply list if one is available. Many schools now post supply lists on their websites. If not, you can  call the school office and see if one is available. Note that many schools have limited office hours during the summer — trust me, the office staff needs their vacation time!

With or without a list, you can be on the lookout for basics like pens, pencils, folders, erasers,scissors, crayons, and highlighters.  Don't just look at the big box stores for deals. Check out other possible sources like craft stores, drug stores, and office supply stores. When you find a really good deal, don't be afraid to stock up. Folders and pencils don't go bad. And back to school prices are usually the lowest prices of the year.

Other things to keep in mind:

• If you need to make a big purchase — like a laptop — check to see if your state plans a tax-free week. Many states lift sales tax for a week during the back to school shopping season. Don't use this as an excuse to buy things you don't need. A reduction of $50 on a $1000 unnecessary purchase is NOT saving.
• The beginning of school is not a good reason for a whole new wardrobe. It is a good reason to go through drawers and closets and see what still fits and is in good condition. (Mending is a wonderful chore for a rainy day.) And remember — hand-me-downs are just another way to recycle clothes. It's not cheap. It's green!
• If the school had a summer reading list or other assignments, now is an excellent time to start! (Well, the day school let out was an excellent time to start, but today is the best day you have left!)
• As part of your back-to-school preparation, find a space in your house that will be dedicated to study. Make sure it is quiet and well-lit with few distractions. As an extra treat, set aside a place for reading, both alone and together. You can often find inexpensive floor cushions at places like IKEA. NOTHING helps a child more in school than having good study habits and reading for pleasure encouraged at home.
• If you don't have a child in school and you can afford it, consider buying an inexpensive backpack and filling it with basic school supplies. Donate it to a local school for the benefit of kids who can't afford supplies (and the teachers who provide these supplies from their own pockets).