Back To School Smarts with Crystal Paine

There will always be more you could buy, but the better question is, “What do we actually need?” Before heading to the store or filling an online cart, take inventory of what you already have. Then compare that with the school supply list and your family’s budget.

For families with older children, this can also become a valuable teaching opportunity. Crystal recommends involving teens in the process by giving them a specific back-to-school budget for clothing or supplies. Then they are responsible for deciding what they need, what they want, and how to stay within that amount.

Sometimes, they may decide to use some of their own money to buy an extra item. That can be a good thing. It helps them learn that money is limited, that choices have trade-offs, and that budgeting requires wisdom.

Look for Package Deals and School Supply Discounts

Another way to save time and money is to find out whether your school offers a pre-packaged supply option.

Some schools or parent organizations offer supply kits that include everything your child needs for the year. While it may not always be the least expensive option, it’s worth comparing. In some cases, buying the package can save money and certainly save time.

Instead of driving from store to store searching for specific folders, notebooks, and pencils, you can purchase one package and be done.

Crystal also recommends watching for back-to-school deals on supplies, clothing, uniforms, backpacks, lunch boxes, and even laptops. Her site, MoneySavingMom.com, regularly shares deals that can help families stretch their dollars further.

Make the Most of Tax-Free Weekends

Many states offer tax-free weekends before the school year begins. These can be a helpful way to save on items you were already planning to buy.

The key is to prepare before the weekend arrives.

Start by checking whether your state offers a tax-free weekend, when it takes place, and which items are included. Every state has different rules. Some include clothing and school supplies, while others may include electronics, computers, or even certain household items.

Once you know what qualifies, review your budget. Then decide which purchases make sense for your family.

Tax-free weekends can be useful, but they are only a good deal if you are buying things you actually need. The goal is not to spend more simply because something is tax-free. The goal is to steward your resources wisely by saving on planned purchases.

Teach Children Financial Wisdom Early

Back-to-school shopping can also be a training ground for children.

Should you take your kids shopping with you? Crystal says it depends.

If your children are still learning self-control and are likely to ask for everything they see, it may be better to shop without them. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid the lesson altogether. Instead, begin teaching them in smaller, more manageable ways.

Crystal and her family started when their children were very young. Around ages three or four, they gave their kids opportunities to earn money by doing extra chores. Then the children could take that money to the store and choose what they wanted to buy.

That simple practice helped them begin learning the value of money. They saw that the money ran out. They learned that choosing one thing often means saying no to something else. And they began to understand that spending decisions matter.

Those lessons may seem small, but they can form a foundation for wisdom later in life. Teaching children how to handle a few dollars faithfully can help prepare them to handle larger financial decisions with maturity.

Build School-Year Routines Before School Starts

One of the biggest mistakes families make is waiting until the night before school begins to establish a new routine. That can lead to stress, rushed mornings, tired kids, and frustrated parents.

Crystal recommends beginning a few weeks early. Talk through what the school-year routine will look like. Think realistically about each person in your home. What time does everyone need to wake up? What time do you need to leave? What needs to happen before breakfast? Who needs help getting ready?

Then start practicing.

Begin waking up closer to the school-year schedule. Practice getting out the door by the time you’ll need to leave. Ease your family back into the rhythm before the first day arrives.

That transition can make the first week of school much smoother.

Prepare the Night Before

Anything you can do the night before will help reduce stress the next day. Lay out clothes. Pack lunches. Make sure backpacks are ready. Plan breakfast. Sign forms. Place shoes, jackets, and bags where they need to be.

These simple habits can give your family a head start and help mornings feel less frantic.

Preparation is not about controlling every detail. It’s about creating room for peace, patience, and faithfulness in the ordinary moments of family life.

Stay Spiritually Grounded

Before the rush begins, remember that God has everything you need for everything He has called you to do. You do not have to carry every worry in your own strength. You can bring your anxieties, responsibilities, and decisions before Him.

Back-to-school season can feel busy, but it can also become a fresh opportunity to trust the Lord, serve your family, and steward your resources well.

A wise start to the school year is not only about spending less or getting organized. It’s about remembering who provides, who sustains, and who gives us wisdom for each day.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• I own several paid-off rental homes in Arkansas that provide good income, but my children live in San Diego and don’t plan to move here. I’m concerned that after I’m gone, the properties could be sold quickly for less than they’re worth. I’d like their value to benefit my grandchildren for college, starting a business, or buying a home. Should I sell the homes now and place the proceeds in a trust, or is there a better way to plan?
• I’m 47 and recently started my career after years as a stay-at-home mom. I have no retirement savings, and my employer offers a 403(b) with both pre-tax and Roth options, plus a 3% match after one year. Since we’re still working to get out of debt, should I start contributing now or wait for the match? And how much should I contribute?
• My income is under $1,000 a month, and I’m living paycheck to paycheck. How can I practically build giving, saving, and spending into a budget when money is this tight? And how do I include a small amount for personal enjoyment without derailing the plan?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• MoneySavingMom.com 
• Six Great Money Dates by Dr. Shane Enete (Article in Faithful Steward, Issue 3)
• Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship by Rob West
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA)
• FaithFi App