Back To School Shopping Guide

The Bottom Line: A shopping guide and where to purchase these school supplies.

Summer isn't just for school vacation. It's also when to find great deals on next year's school supplies. I love a bargain! Here are some must-have supplies to help with a successful school year.... Read More

The Bottom Line: A little advance research and preparation can save you time and money, making the transition to being a college freshman that much easier!

It's been nearly 15 years since I moved from my parents' house to college, but I still keenly recall how excited/anxious/overwhelmed I was by the whole process. There was so much to think about and so many mixed emotions. I found I was less prepared than I would have liked. Thus, I embark today upon a list of the Top 10 tasks new college freshmen should complete before the first day of class. These tips are likely to be most useful to the students who are moving out of town to a new area for college, since students who stay in the same hometown have easier access to various resources.... Read More

The Bottom Line: Hoping this list will help those who need to shop for school supplies for the grammar student. .

With summer at an end, it is time for students to return to their classrooms. My daughter both dreads it and is excited about starting 3rd grade this year. I, myself, look forward to seeing all the new things she will learn and going on field trips with her. One thing I always dread, though, is back to school shopping. Clothes are one thing, and I love shopping for them with her. But, I always get a little frustrated with the giant itemized list that she always has listing all the things we are to buy. Kindergarten seemed to have it's own list (of items that the other grades lacked), but since then it hasn't varied very much... Read More

The Bottom Line: There is no such thing as being too prepared!

Preparing my daughter for first grade is a little different then preparing her for kindergarten last year. This year she has to bring her own supplies. To me these should be unique and not the exact same as every one else will have. I need to make very sure that no one in the class argues over what belongs to who. The best way is the way that my mother achieved this with my brothers and sisters when we were kids. After all, there were 16 of us. We argued over every last pencil! Class rooms can be the same way. If you send your daughter to school with a Hannah Montana pencil, odds are that ten other girls at least have that same pencil or one similar to it. If you send your son to school with a Transformers one, the odds are the same. Try to be unique in what you give your child to take to school... Read More