by Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore

Didn’t school just let out? Like it or not, retailers get ready for back to school starting in early July – and they don’t save the deals for later. The early back to school shopper gets the worm. Get your supplies before the end of the month and save a bundle. Be sure to check out Buttoned Up products at Office Depot!

• Did you know that the major difference between students with good grades and poor grades is organization? Get them on the right track early – look for items that will help them learn how to track homework assignments, manage larger projects, and keep subject material neat and together.
• Kids that are transitioning from a single classroom and single teacher (elementary school) to moving between classrooms and multiple teachers, may feel a bit out of control/overwhelmed at first. Help them prepare for the transition by getting color coded binders and spiral notebooks. You can do this by subject or by morning (Red) or afternoon classes (Blue). This will reinforce what should go in the backpack for morning and afternoon classes and help him keep organized – and he can grab them quickly from a locker.
• Your kids will use up supplies at different rates. Rather than buying multiple sets of the same supplies for each child, consider setting up a homework station. Stock up on notebooks, crayons, scissors, glue, and writing instruments when they’re cheap this summer, and store them in that spot. Whenever your children need something, they’ll know where to find it. It will save you both time and money.

---

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized and co-authors of “Everything (almost) In Its Place.” We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at www.getbuttonedup.com