How to Stress Less During Back-to-School Season

1. Consider your spending plan
Planning is the key to being financially healthy. Create a back-to-school spending plan to help you see how much money you have and how much money you will need. Our Spending Plan Worksheet is a free guide to help get a handle on your financial situation and identify how much financial slack you have available to put towards these extra costs that come up once a year.
2. Prioritize your needs
Prioritizing your needs helps us remain focused on what’s important. Some questions to consider as you prioritize your needs this school year:
- What do you need to buy before school starts?
- What can you purchase later?
- What really needs to be replaced versus what can be reused?
3. Make it a family affair
If your kids are old enough to shop with you consider creating the list together. Experts agree teaching your children about finances plays a critical role in forming a healthy mindset about money and sets them up for long-term success. Make sure to bring the list with you when shopping and avoid impulse purchases by doing your best to stick to it. If the kids want something that isn’t in the plan, consider giving them the option to chip in money they’ve saved or earn it later.
Many of us may feel worried or stressed about the big investment we must make this time of year. At Credit Human we’re dedicated to helping you navigate the stress of this back-to-school season. Visit your neighborhood Financial Health Center for ways to help you build financial slack and stress less.