Many children have had such fun being away from school that they want the holidays to continue for as long as possible. Parents are now in the process of putting together school supplies, book lists and uniforms. In the challenging economy that we face, it is best to develop and use a strategy to maximise the use of whatever resources are available. This week, we will look at some ways to do this.

School supplies: Where possible, buy these in bulk as they can result in lower costs. Costs should not be the only consideration, however, as quality is also very important. You may consider pooling with other parents to benefit from bulk purchase prices. Remember to ensure that quality and durability are considered along with price. Also, ensure that the products meet local and international safety standards and do not contain chemicals or parts which can harm children. This is especially important for materials such as glues and paints.

School books: Many schools have a rental system for books which is a very effective way to recycle school books and provide an alternative to buying them. For those books which you may be required to buy, shop around for the best prices. Get the information put out by the Government on prices where applicable. Be sure to wrap the books in a protective cover so that they last longer. Using old, decorated or plain newspaper to wrap these books is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Uniforms: Don't buy them too early in the summer break as children tend to grow during this period. Where possible, reuse the ones which are still in good condition from the previous term. Save buttons and zippers for replacement. Balance cost with quality for school shoes as you want them to last the school year and be sure to buy with enough space to accommodate comfort and growth.

Lunches and snacks: Plan menus and purchase where possible in bulk. Buy foods that can be prepared in a variety of ways, and always look for natural ingredients which will boost children's health and immunity to diseases. Be sure to check expiry dates. Store overripe fruits in the freezer and use them to make juices and smoothies.

Next week, we will look at some of the less popular items for preparing for back-to-school preparation such as transportation and aftercare facilities.

Ann Marie Rodriques

PeaceWater Services

Send questions or comments to peacewaterservices@yahoo.com or follow me on Twitter@PeaceWaters or https://twitter.com/PeaceWaters