We don't want to upset you, but September 1st is just around the corner. How to get your child ready for school without breaking the bank on stationery? Kite knows and is happy to share some life hacks.
What to do before buying stationery
1. Take inventory
Conduct an "audit" of the stationery at home. You will surely find pencils, sharpeners, and much more in excellent condition.
2. Be informed
Inquire about the full list of what is needed. It may turn out that the parent committee has taken on the purchase of book covers. And the teacher has announced requirements that all students in the class must have identical diaries, and notebooks must be wrapped in white paper so as not to distract young children with colorful covers. This is a way to save money – then notebooks can be the simplest, cheaper ones. And you won't need to buy covers and a diary, so you avoid double expenses.
3. Make a shopping list and only buy the essentials
A shopping list has often saved you from unnecessary expenses at the grocery store, hasn't it? This life hack also works with stationery. In August, you don't need to buy everything your child will need throughout the year. Stationery for the first semester will be enough, and then you can buy more as needed. Sometimes, it's even more profitable than during the "hot" season.
An approximate list of stationery for a first-grader looks like this:
- Notebooks with slanted lines and in a grid (lined ones – later);
- Pens;
- Pencils;
- Sharpener;
- Colored pencils;
- Felt-tip pens;
- Eraser;
- Ruler;
- Pencil case;
- Covers for textbooks and notebooks;
- Drawing album;
- Paintbrush;
- Watercolor paints;
- Non-spill cup;
- Set of colored cardboard and colored paper;
- Glue;
- Scissors;
- Plasticine;
- Modeling board and tools;
- Apron and arm covers;
- Folders for notebooks and crafts
What not to save on
- Pencil case, folder for crafts, and folder for notebooks. These are items that a student will actively use throughout the school year, meaning the quality must be high.
- Pencils and felt-tip pens. Cheap ones will wear out too quickly, and you'll have to buy more, which means extra expenses.
- Notebooks. Covers are one thing, but pay attention to what's inside. The pages should not be blindingly white or too yellow. Choose notebooks with clear lines and thick pages. Otherwise, your child's eyesight and handwriting will suffer.
Another tip for saving time
A good way to save time (and money, by the way) is to buy a filled pencil case. We have already taken care of it and put all the essentials into the pencil case.
What else is definitely worth buying
Lunchbox and water bottle. Water should always be with them. A first-grader runs around during breaks like a Brownian motion molecule and constantly wants to drink. A reusable bottle is convenient and safe. As a caring mother, you know perfectly well without us about the need for snacks. Small bags and pouches are not an option for a first-grader. To prevent sandwiches from getting mixed up with notebooks, get a lunchbox – you won't regret it.
