Going Back to School? Go Green To Save Hundreds of Dollars

Parents can save oodles of money by taking an "eco cheap" approach to back-to-school shopping.

Where to start?

* Ignore the huge supply lists that come home in kids' backpacks. Over at the blog Green Talk, "Thrifty is the New Green for Back to School Supplies" reminds parents to check their "voluminous" stashes of pens, pencils, crayons and paper leftover from last year before buying new. SAVINGS:  $25-$50/child

*  Use last year's backpacks and lunch boxes. (Mindful Momma notes in "The Price We Pay for Back 2School Cool that kids do just fine with gear they've used before.) SAVINGS:  $50-$125/child, depending on backpack.

*  Shop yard sales and thrift stores for back-to-school clothes. SAVINGS:  $100 - $250/child, depending on your usual clothes budget.

* Borrow sports equipment and rent musical instruments. Is your daughter trying hockey for the first time? Not sure if your son is a budding violinist or just likes to hear the bow scratch? Borrow skates or rent the violin until you're sure a purchase makes sense. SAVINGS:  $50 - $250.

Total Savings: $225 - $675 per child.

For more great ideas that save money and spare the planet, drop in on the Green Moms Carnival over at SurelyYouNest.

Comments

[Anna]

Thank Diane for including my article in your back to school article. Like Mindful Momma, my kids have used their same backpack until it is literally falling apart!

Your article goes to show everyone that saving the Planet, puts green in your pocket as well!

[Tony Meleca]

Hi Diane

Some good ideas there. Yet they're often not front of mind for many of us when it comes time to fork out all that "back to school" money. Saving between $225 and $675 can make a huge difference for a young family needing to save money. Thanks for the tips.

Ciao - Tony

[Diane MacEachern]

Thank you both for weighing in. Given how many misconceptions there are about how expensive it is to go green, I appreciate your comments reinforcing the observation that eco living can be cheap!