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Pa ge 6 T hu rs da y, A ug us t 2 7, 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a BACK TO SCHOOL A few packs of pencils and erasers may only cost a dollar or two, but long lists of school supplies can add up in a big way-- like the financial equivalent of a death by a thousand cuts. Jeff Schwartz, executive director of Consoli- dated Credit, is worried that the extra expenses will only serve to inflate Canadians' growing household debt levels. "If you have a couple of kids, you're looking at a couple hundred dollars outside of your normal spending budget," says Schwartz. "If you're living paycheque-to-paycheque, that back-to-school spending will find its way to your credit card." Schwartz also fears the amounts could climb significantly if parents and children blur the lines between wants and needs. "When we put this data together, we made every effort to make inexpensive choices," notes Schwartz. "Store-brand school supplies may not be as appealing to a 10-year-old who wants his favourite superhero on his pencil case." In order to help curb back-to-school spend- ing, the team at Consolidated Credit put together the following tips to get students back in the class- room without blowing the budget: • Go in with a plan. This season is big business for retailers and they are going to put a lot of effort into separating you from your dollar. A shopping list with a set budget is your best defence against dazzling promotions and impulse purchases. • Buy in bulk. Even if you only have one child, chances are they will have the same school re- quirements year-after-year. Have a "school sup- plies drawer" at home and buy up large quantities of supplies when you see them on sale, then dole them out every September. • See what you have at home first. Even if you have a less-formal "junk drawer" instead of a planned-out "school supplies drawer," there is still a chance that you can check many items off your school supplies list with household items. Maybe you over-bought last year, or maybe you have some reusable items like binders or pencil cases. • Comparison shop. Take advantage of com- peting business and scour flyers for deals. Use comparison shopping apps such as Flipp to help speed things up. The savings will add up, particu- larly on bigger-ticket items such as schoolbags and electronics. • A lesson outside the classroom. Sticking to a budget and searching for the best deals will not only help your bottom line, it will teach a valuable lesson to your children. Get them involved in every step of the process, from creating a budget to comparison shopping. Teaching good money management during these formative years will set your children up for financial success. Avoid the back-to-school sting Cory Soal, r.H.a.D. Hearing Instrument Practitioner The GEORGETOWN HEARING CLINIC • On-Site Audiologist • Repairs • Hearing Tests • Batteries • Home Service Available • Affordable Pricing • Custom Made Musician, Industrial & Swim Plugs • Hearing Aid Prescriptions and Fittings • ADP, WSIB, DVA Authorised Dispensary Georgetown Hearing Clinic is committed to your individual hearing needs. Find out how we can help. Call today to book your appointment. 905-873-6642 99 Sinclair avenue, Suite 210 all today to book y Proudly serving the community of Halton Hills and surrounding areas since 1992 Smart, tenacious people pumped by the prospect of joining a winning team, and looking to have fun along the way.WE W AN T: Exciting Careers in DIGITAL MEDIA! WE W AN T: DIGITAL MEDIA! Paid on-the-job training, a career with one of the largest digital media companies in Canada, competitive compensation, opportunities for advancement, comprehensive bene� ts and a generous vacation plan. Paid on-the-job training, a career with one of the largest digital media companies in Canada, competitive compensation, opportunities for advancement, comprehensive bene� ts and a generous vacation plan. YO U G ET: Smart, tenacious people pumped by the prospect of joining a winning team, and If you're looking for a rewarding career in one of the fastest growing � elds in Canada, you should join our team at METROLAND MEDIA. Go to www.metroland.com and click on 'Join our Team'. Look for Job ID 2015-1462. If you apply, you will be contacted!