Financial experts suggest parents start back to school shopping now

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Like some kids, Olivia Walker is dreading school starting next month.

”This morning, in bed, I was thinking about school, and I almost started crying like I have to go back to school,” Olivia said.

She’ll return to James Lawson High School as a senior in August.

“A lot of it is just mentally preparing,” Olivia said.

While she’s getting her mind right, her mom, Shautel Walker, is getting her pockets right. As a rising senior the costs are adding up much quicker.

”I have been saving for a year to get ready for this because you know you have college applications…What do we need to pay for? Do we need to pay for pictures? Do you want to have a special photoshoot?” Shautel said.

Although we’re weeks away from the start of school, some shopping advisors suggest start looking at sales now.

Big stores like Target, Walmart and Amazon are all having major savings events this July.

Outside of staying on top of deals, Walker says she’s going to look at home first.

”We have a lot of supplies at home already.” Shautel said.

”I was thinking about getting a new backpack and I found one that my sister doesn’t like so I’m just going to use that for the school year. I have a lot of old folders and all you really need to do is sort through the papers and reuse them,” Olivia said.

“Tax-free weekend you know that’s when we’re buying a computer,” they said.

Shautel said everything can add up, but they’re confident in the plan.

”I have a little bit of money saved up for it. Not a lot but enough to get us to skate through the first half of the year and then I’ll save more for the second half of the year,” Shautel said.

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