Want to know how to buy that brand new backpack without blowing your entire back-to-school budget? Every year parents overspend on new clothes and supplies but before going overboard, family budgeting expert Jonni McCoy has tips on how to save before hitting the stores. Jonni McCoy discusses simple tips including: For those back-to-school wardrobes, beware of malls where you will overspend on brand name items just to get all your shopping done in one day. Make your shopping trips a family adventure. For those teens that insist on name brands, let them know the budget you’ve allotted and encourage them to make up the difference needed to get the name-brand digs. Always keep an eye out on the sales don’t be tempted to buy full price merchandise. Carpooling to dance practice or the grocery store is a great time to connect with kids and hear about the school day while saving money at the same time. When preparing school lunches avoid prepackaged items as much as possible it saves money and helps avoid unhealthy additives. You could spend $4 on one pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich or buy a loaf of bread, peanut butter and jelly for only $7 and make 10 sandwiches. Be wary of Warehouse Clubs. While some items at these stores are inexpensive such as electronics, other items are full-price and offer little choice. Items like toilet paper can be 250 percent higher than brand name products at grocery stores. More about Jonni McCoy: Jonni McCoy began as a successful business woman, however after her son was born Jonni wanted to be a full-time mom. Living in an expensive area of San Francisco, and earning 50 percent of the income, meant learning how to cut back expenses. Her family quickly got used to a new lifestyle and since then it has been her goal to help families get the tools they need to spend more time together. Today she is one of the leading experts on shopping and frugal living. McCoys money-saving expertise has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, and SmartMoney.com, as well as more than 1,000 radio programs and hundreds of television programs. Through her books Miserly Moms, Frugal Families, and Miserly Meals, broadcast appearances and Web site Jonni has reached more than 3 million people with her expertise.
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