I was out shopping with my son, Liam this afternoon to get a few last minute things for back to school.School's all across the country are preparing to go back and parent's are stressed with the endless lists of supplies that seem to increase in size every year. And, for those parents preparing to send their kids off to school for the first time - it will be ok, your children will be fine.
Here are a few things I've learned over the years and 5 children later:
Get into a routine now so your kids will be ready when they start back and they'll be able to get up in time for school.
Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. If your kids don't like breakfast, breakfast drinks are often a great way to get those nutrients in their bodies. I make a great breakfast shake: 1/2 banana, 1 scoop of whey protein powder, 1/3 c. low fat vanilla yogurt, 1/3 c. cranberry juice, 1/3 c. frozen blueberries, 4 ice cubes - put all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth. I am not a big breakfast person but this is delicious and keeps me going until lunch time.
My son just graduated from middle school and is off to high school in a week. He prefers to bring his own lunch rather than buy the one at school. Let your child help choose what they'll eat for lunch. We get our bread from the H & S Bread Store in Fells Point. It's a great place and helps save money. We get potato bread and he chooses two or three lunch meats for his sandwich. Cheese doesn't travel well so he doesn't have cheese on it. Then we buy Utz Potato Chips in a variety pack and he takes one bag. Sometimes he has cookies, baby carrots are popular. We got a cooler lunch bag that has space for an ice pack. Liam says that it takes too long to stand in line and wait for lunch and it doesn't given him enough time to eat it that's why he wants to bring his lunch.Kids grow really fast. Goodwill Stores often have great deals and great prices on children's clothing. In Maryland we have Value Village stores too. Both will from time to time have brand new clothes with the tags still on them. If your parents live nearby and are over 60 on Wednesdays Value Village has 50% off all clothing in the store. When my older kids were still in school I used to go with my neighbor and she'd help me buy back to school clothes. I would come home with a large black garbage bag full for about $50 with Levi's, Banana Republic, GAP and other brand name clothes for the kids, and with the tags still on them.
Starting in June Staples has a Back to School Savings Pass that gives 15% off school supplies from June 10 until September 15. The pass excludes technology, ink and toner, flash drives, calculators, case paper and furniture. Also starting in June/July Staples has special weekly sales that offer special items for very cheap prices. I check back weekly and pick up only the items offered for sale. Last week they had refill paper for 1 cent per package, limit 5 with a $10 purchase. Starting today they have spiral bound note books for 1 cent each and Timberland Back Packs are 50% off. Over the years I have purchase 9 TI 83 calculators. The cheapeast place I have found them is on Amazon.com, I wish I would have kept my middle sons calculator but that was 8 years ago and I thought the technology would have changed but it hasn't. For the first week of school walk your kids to the bus stop. Caution them about talking to strangers, taking rides to school (even from people they know) and to keep their eyes open and watch for people driving who might not be paying attention for children going back to school.
If you are thinking of buying or selling an home in Maryland give me a call at 410-292-0100 or start your search here and we'll talk about the market conditions and what your home could possibly be worth in today's market place if you are thinking of selling. If you are considering buying a home, there is no better time than now to buy. The tax savings and wealth building alone is worth the plunge into todays market. Century 21 New Millennium is part of the largest nationwide relocation company and can assist with your move here in Maryland or anywhere in the United States or abroad. Ask me how.
In keeping with saluting our heroes, during 2012 I am waving flat fees for active duty military, retired military and the families of fallen military, as well as policemen, firemen and emt's. If you enter into a contract by the New Year's eve I will waive the flat fee at settlement. This is a $395 savings. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home give me a call and receive full service real estate assistance from an experienced agent. Our office is open 7 days a week and we can be reached at 410-730-8888 or I can be reached directly at 410-292-0100.
June Piper-Brandon ~ Associate Broker, CDPE, CIAS, ePro
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