Money-saving tips for back to school

Supplies, clothes, books, tuition...the bill adds up fast when the new school year rolls around! Here are some tips to save money this fall:

• Buy (and sell!) used textbooks--check with your school's library, or try an online source like bigwords.com, which searches many different sites at once to find the best price.
• Wait until school starts to buy clothes and uniforms--they usually go on sale soon after class is back in session.
• Can't wait for the fall sales? Be sure to catch the Sales Tax Holiday (August 6-8 this year). Many stores offer extra discounts for this weekend, so check the ads and be prepared for crowds. Click here for details on the Tax Holiday. 
• Plan a family craft night to give last year's binders and backpacks a makeover with printed photo collages, iron-on patches, pins, paints, markers--you name it!
• Try online secondhand sources like eBay or craigslist for gently used clothes, backpacks or musical instruments. (You might even pick up a little extra cash by auctioning off those items your child only used a couple of times!)
• Shop the ads in advance to plan a realistic budget you can stick to before you head out to the stores. This is a great opportunity to get your kids involved and help them start learning money management skills now.
• Start a Special Savings Account now to be ready for next year!

And if you do need a loan, we're here to help. We offer personal loans and lines of credit to help you get what you need at low, members-only rates. Give us a call!

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