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Show 16 Hilltop- -- August 12, 1999 n'tnim,... "i,. -- I " n I!r!(2IJ v r staff not-for-pro- 7 fit back-to-scho- T-shi- rts back-to-scho- l. tions) and Sharon (who works in Plan and Programs) Dore have five children who range in age from three to 15. shopping for the Dores is an ol ol ment rentals. Don't forget some not so obvious ol back-to-scho- ol expenses like hair cuts, immunizations, expensive process. Annually they spend approxie school-agchildren physicals for sports activities and dental and eye mately $1,500 getting their four examinations. ready for the year. Sharon recently took her two youngest daughters, Have the children help in making the list 10 Brittany age and Maria age 7, shopping. "Baggy, and estimated costs of what they need for school. They may be surprised how quickly the baggy jeans", was the number one item on both girls' lists. The girls also picked up dollar amounts add up. If their expenses exceed the backpacks and plenty of supplies to fill them. Maria amount you have budgeted, work together to trim said she chose her backpack because, "I like how the total. Let them set priorities. Although you it looks. I like the pockets and the water bottle," should direct your children towards making senShe plans to further fill the pack with "homework sible purchases, they should have the freedom to and all these papers the same papers teachers kept make a money mistake. Often the best lessons are those learned from experience. giving her last year ." Military parents can accomplish most of their Comparison shop for school supplies. Prices who on base. one Turner, Kay vary from store to store. Look at office supply stores, manages shopping of the Base Exchange clothing lines, said the baggy volume discount warehouses and large drug and look is definitely in. She said another current trend grocery stores for the best values. Take advantage the BX carries is capri pants which cut off just of advertised specials throughout the rest of sumbelow the knee. The BX has specials running though mer to stock up on items you'll need. Start early and shop wisely. Many schools Saturday with several of the children's clothing items priced under $10. School supplies have been distribute lists of the supplies required for the next centralized at the main entrance. grade level. Don't wait until the last minute to begin According to a nationwide American Express sur- your shopping. Spread school purwill on an and over teens chases extended about $408 vey, parents period of time to keep from spend anticia gear per student. The most spending lot of money all at once. Try to pay with pated purchase is clothing with school supplies in cash whenever possible. a close second. During the survey, teens said they Be an example for your children through to an of five times your own money management skills. Show them plan update purchases average per year and 84 percent of those teens plan to help how to compare prices and quality. Try not to spend were impulsively, and explain why you are doing so. Point parents pay for expenses. most influenced by personal style followed by friends out the benefit of sales, discount stores and volume s and magazines and newspapers. said buying. there's too much pressure to wear "in" clothing Teach about charitable giving. Many com"in" the item one of several munities sponsor clothing and Wearing may only be suppressures students face. Keeping up with peers as ply drives for families who cannot afford to purchase education needs become increasingly high-teccan these items themselves. Help your children go also be expensive. Almost 30 percent of adult responthrough their closets for clothes they've outgrown dents during the American Express survey planned or encourage them to use some of their allowance to buy children a personal computer and 55 percent to purchase extra supplies for someone else. By said their children already had access to a PC. sharing with others, you help your children learn All this pressure can translate into big dollar figto appreciate what they have and begin the habit of ures for parents. Consumer Credit Counseling Ser giving to others. back-to-scho- ol back-to-scho- back-to-scho- ... community service organization, provides free counseling and helps families avoid the financial burden of a new school year. CCCS said shopping in itself can be an educational experience for kids as they learn positive money management and budgeting skills. The organization offers these tips to help parents with shopping: Establish a spending limit for each child. List all expenses including supplies, clothes, band or athletic uniforms and equipment or instruvice, a Spiral bound notebooks, lunch boxes, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, lined paper, jeans preferare just a few items weighand ably baggy nationwide as parents and carts down ing shopping to kids prepare go MSgt. Mike (who works at the base weather staBack-to-scho- J )JlV7 PL by Mary Galbraith back-to-schoo- " "7"" - Parents outfit, equip children for the year Hilltop Times 'fan Brittany Dore, above, surveys backpacks. Below, two kidsa 3 ol ol , . Back-to-schoole- rs Two-third- back-to-scho- V ol h v- .t; uu fx. " The Family Support Center has information and some suggestions for kids and parents on the upcoming school year. For additional information on programs and services available, contact the center at Ext. Items for parents to consider pro-vide- ' f i If' d 81 , it n. : V ".c Don't buy all school clothes before school starts. Find out what "all the other kids" are wearing first. Introduce younger children to their leacher before school starts. Let educators know your child does best with praise. i II! i 1 1 Sharon Dore with daughters Brittany, 10, and Maria, 7, pick out fashions for the upcoming school year. Recently PCS'd? Help your children make one or two friends before school starts. Let them know "To have friends you must be a friend." Ask assistance in this integration process fromneighbors. Make sure you have shot records. Take child for a tour of their new school before school starts look at their new classroom, meet their teachers and principal. Talktci interests Find o'( how you Base p$ Field Em openhoml Family will be se The fo mation ft Supporftt Publi Ogden a;A Davis1"' Priva Newi!n all schoo Speciu' WebJc informal: SchoP; ing dates GED?i Adult Davis.'e enrollme 0 |