Back to School Kids: Tips for Saving on School Supplies

Unfortunately, most schools do not have the budget to afford supplies for the students. Parents are relegated to buying school supplies every school year. There are ways parents can save on school supplies by utilizing the following suggestions.

If you belong to a one of the many stores chains, such as Costco or BJ, you can load up on supplies by buying in bulk throughout the year, especially when there are sales and coupons offered.

In addition, the office supply stores always have sales during the summer months and also have give-a-way supplies such as calculators, as well as discounts if you spend a certain a certain amount. In fact, you can save lots of money by purchasing the store brand of supplies, especially paper, pencils, pens and other items needed for school. Also, most office supply stores offer recycled paper as well, and is very inexpensive to purchase.

In some states, there are certain days or perhaps a week in which school supplies are tax free. This would be a great time to save money on basic supplies.

There are a chain of 99 cent stores which also have some school supplies available. They have incidental items as well which can be purchased, such as: tissues, handy wipes, zip lock lunch bags, school bags, and other items wherein you can save quite a bit of money.

Another item which you can buy ahead of time are the white boards used for exhibiting art work, science projects, or used for any subject where the student has to showcase his or her work. These are expensive items, and while some schools have a budget for them, others do not. You may need three or four, depending on your child’s curriculum.

Tip: If you have purchased any school supplies online, you will no doubt receive emails from office supply stores offering $25.00 or more discounts on purchases of $100.00 to $150.00. In addition, when new chains of office supply stores open, you may also receive a circular in the mail or in your Sunday newspaper offering a discount and free items if you visit their store.

Supplies are expensive, and taking advantage of every promotion, sale, and coupon offered will save you a great deal of time and money.

Tips for Avoiding and Treating Bug Bites This Summer

If you’ve ever been stung by a bee, you know it can be painful, right? The summer is the perfect time for these and other insects to find a way to attack your body. Let’s face it; any kind of bug bite can be an awful experience, both for adults and children. Here are some summer safety tips for avoiding, and treating bug bites:

To avoid insect bites, purchase DEET. Most over-the-counter repellents now contain DEET, and are safe to use on children as young as 2 months old, as well as adults. Stay away from open beverages that contain sweetener. Sweetened beverages, like soda and juice, attract stinging insects. Standing water are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Empty, or cover the pool at the end of the day, and don't leave any potted plants outside that may contain standing water. Always wear shoes, and dress in long pants, and a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt to cover skin. Also, wear light-colored clothing. When outdoors, particularly at night, you can purchase Citronella candles, and place them on the patio tables.

The first thing to do when stung by a bee or wasp, is to look at the spot where you were bitten, to determine if there's any stinger remaining. If there is, use a firm object, like a credit card to sweep across the area, and pull out the stinger. Don't squeeze or pinch the skin to remove the stinger. This will cause additional venom to be released into the bite. Use soap and water to clean the area of the sting. Treat any reaction by applying a cool compress, or ice. To relieve the redness and pain, adding hydrocortisone to the affected area will help. If you develop a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, call 911 and seek emergency care immediately.

It is important to note that if you live in the Northeast and upper Midwest, you need to be on the look-out for ticks carrying Lyme disease this summer. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in wooded areas, you may be susceptible. You can tell if you have Lyme disease, as a rash will develop, which looks like a bull's-eye near the bite. The rash is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fever or headache, nausea and vomiting. Some people, however, may only develop flu-like symptoms, and not a rash. If you are bitten by a tick, and develop a rash, seek medical assistance for possible treatment and testing for Lyme disease.

While most everyone looks forward to outdoor activities this summer, bug bites can not only ruin a wonderful day, but develop into subsequent problems. By following these safety tips, you can look forward to an enjoyable summer.

Activities for Kids to do During Summer Break

With June just two months away, kids are certainly looking forward to summer break. After the first couple of weeks, however, the kids may become bored. Here are some fun acrivities kids can do during Summer break:

No kid can resist a trip to the zoo. Spending a day there is not only fun, but can also be educational. An alternative to the zoo may be petting farms in your area. Kids have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, as well as, feed and pet them.

A trip to the Museum of Natural History is another day well spent. Kids love dinosaurs, and you can spend a wonderful afternoon browsing all of the ancient exhibits. While you’re there, propose a treasure hunt by going to the gift shop, and picking out several postcards of the exhibits. Then have the kids try to find each one.

What kid doesn’t love spending a day at the mall? Plan on an all day trip to your local mall, followed by lunch. The kids can browse to their heart’s desire. Bring extra cash – they are sure to want to buy just about everything!

How about building a birdhouse for the backyard? Your kids can design it, paint it, and even put their initials on it. It’s a wonderful way to get them involved in nature, and the environment.

Perhaps you’ve planned a camping trip. This is a great time for the entire family to get away from it all, and bond. Not only is it relaxing for you, but also the kids will be able to swim and fish; and the family can sit around the campfire at night toasting marshmallows, and telling ghost stories.

Reading and writing can also break the boredom. Visit your local library, and have your kids choose books to read. They can also start a journal entitled, “What I Did on My summer vacation.” They can include pictures, or just simply write all about the fun things they did, or experiences they had over the summer.

While these are some of the ways to avoid boredom while school’s out for the summer, certainly there are many more ideas that the entire family can come up with to keep summer fun, exciting, and memorable. Keep in mind, the next time your kid says he or she is bored, to provide options - then leave it to them to come up with solutions.