Don’t go into debt for extra back to school spending

School is just around the corner, which means back-to-school shopping spending is here. While you may have your back-to-school shopping well in hand, don’t forget about the plethora of other expenses that appear in the fall.

Anticipating these extra expenses will help you put the cash aside now and stay on budget.

After school activities

Do your kids play sports or do other afterschool activities? Typically, registration for these happens in September. If you’ve got the option, see if you can spread these registration fees out throughout the year, rather than paying all at once. These costs are a lot more manageable if you can pay a little bit at a time.

School lunches

Yes, the kids still ate lunch over the summer, but school lunches can be pricey. You can save money by buying in bulk, which you can get started on now.

Don’t do the drive-thru

As your routine transitions back from vacation mode, you’ll probably be busier than usual for the first little bit. Avoid the temptation to hit the drive-thru or pick up the phone to take care of supper. It’s an expensive option, especially during a month when you have so many other expenses.

Spend an afternoon this month stocking your freezer with some casseroles and spaghetti sauces. You’ll be glad you did (and so will your wallet).

Birthday party season

As the school year gets underway, there is a decided upswing in birthday party invitations. Keep your eyes open for good deals on toys when you are out doing errands and snap them up. Not only will this save you money, it will save you time when those invites start coming.

Childcare

Will your childcare expenses change once you are back to school? If you’re saving money now, use the difference to cover these costs, or sock away in other savings.