BBB offers tips for navigating through the aisles of school supplies this weekend:
- Take inventory. Before hitting the stores, families should take inventory of items they already have. There may be reusable supplies leftover from the previous school year that can be used.
- Set a budget. Math class should begin before the bell rings. Budgets for school costs should be planned in advance. Include students in the process of creating the budget to help them learn responsible money management.
- Shop with a list. Create a back-to-school shopping list for each student and stick to it. Shopping with a list will help families stick to their budget, avoid costly impulse purchases and ensure that nothing is forgotten. (Before hitting the stores, make sure that you are taking advantage of all items that are tax free.)
- Know what the school allows. Schools will often provide a list of required items for the school year which can help determine what needs to be purchased. These lists are also available at many of the retail stores and on the school’s website. Additionally, many schools have dress codes or items they will not allow on campus, so families should keep these restrictions in mind before spending money on clothing, electronics or other items a student may not be able to use.
- Check for refund and exchange policies. Some stores will give extra incentives and discounts to bring in business this weekend. Make sure refunds and exchanges will be offered for special discounted items if there is a problem. These policies vary from store to store, so make sure you are familiar with each store’s guidelines before making a purchase.
For more information on this use the link, http://easternnc.bbb.org/consumer-tips-product-purchasing/.
Curtesy: BBB Raleigh
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