With a few simple tips, you can save both time and money as your kids prepare to go back to school. Our back to school guide will give you the low down on the best places to shop.

At first glance, getting your children ready for their upcoming classes can appear to be both an overwhelming and expensive feat.

As the back-to-School season is rapidly approaching there's no better time than the present to start looking for ways to save.

Though you might be short on time during the last month of the summer, there are many simple ways to make better use of both your time and your Money.

Check out our guide for ways you can save on back-to-school this season!

How to Save Time and Money Getting Ready to Go Back to School

Utilize What You Have

Have you noticed all the barely-used supplies your kids bring home at the end of the school year?

Whether you have one child in school or several, chances are they don’t make use of every item you’ve purchased for them throughout the school year.

It drives me crazy to think about purchasing those items again when it isn't necessary!

From old loose-leaf paper packs to stacks of extra flashcards, always be sure to check what you have before you go shopping.

Though your child might want all new supplies, getting good use out of the items you already own will save you money and help you save on your overall household waste.

Folders and binders from previous school years can also be re-used if in good condition, so always be sure to encourage your kids to conserve during their yearly locker clean out.

In our house, we take a day before the school year begins to take inventory of all old or unused school supplies our kids might have. Then we make a list of what we still need to purchase based on our school supply lists.

This simple process will help you consolidate and give you a better understanding of what you do need to go out and purchase.

Check the Dollar Tree once you figure out the supplies you need to purchase, because their back-to-school supplies section is amazing (and affordable)!

Related: Brilliant Money-Saving Back to School Shopping Tips

Organize a Carpool

From soccer practices to orchestra rehearsals, it’s no secret that the start of the school year comes with a lot of driving responsibilities for parents.

The best way to save on gas this upcoming year is to try and organize a parent carpool system.

Whether you link up with other parents in your neighborhood, or simply send out an email to moms and dads that you know attend the same extracurriculars as your kids, carpooling will never be something you regret.

A bunch of moms in my neighborhood also do a carpool to school. We take a day each week and do the driving for all the kids in the carpool. I love how this arrangement frees up my time the other days of the week!

Putting this system into place will save you on both driving time and gas money.

Go Thrifting

Vintage finds are all the rage nowadays, and thrifting is the perfect way for your kids to establish their school year style for less.

As national thrift store day approaches on August 17th, be on the lookout for even more exciting sales than ever before. Encourage your children to make some gently used finds this season at your local Goodwill, or even help them shop online with sites like thredUP.

Online consignment shop thredUP offers the best of both worlds for your back to school clothes needs with thousands of styles from great brands like Lularoe.

Don’t be afraid to buy used this season as online thrifting is the perfect time and money saving option.

Most thrift shops offer clothing at mark downs that range from 50-80% off, with discounts increasing the longer the item remains in the store.

Be sure to check out your local thrift store sales in light of August’s national thrift store holiday to see if you can save even more on your favorite brands!

Pro Tip: Plus, save an extra 50% off your first order with coupon code NEW.

Ask for Hand-Me-Downs

Families both big and small are more than familiar with the concept of hand-me-downs.

Though this might not be a process you have made much use of in the past, hand-me-downs are a foolproof way to save for back to school.

Always be sure to ask around your neighborhood, on social media, and within your extended family for old clothing, books, and supplies.

You’d be surprised at how many people you know have extra or old items they no longer use and are willing to give up for free. Even old laptops that collect dust in your in-law’s basement are great items to make use of for your kids as they get ready for classes.

Don’t let the fear of asking cause you to miss out on free back-to-school essentials.

You can even organize a local clothing or supply swap to give what you don’t need and get what you do!

Find Local Resources

Being aware of all the local resources your city or town offers during the back-to-school time period is crucial.

From sales on binders and notebooks, to free activities offered at your local library, try to stay in the know when it comes to all that’s happening in your community.

Many libraries carry books your child might need for their classes or summer reading, and even free tutoring programs to help your kids should they be struggling in a particular subject.

Be sure to browse helpful online resources as well as the thousands of free back-to-school printouts to help you with your shopping lists, your child’s class schedules, and even your fall chore charts!

Related: How to find a babysitter that you love!

Tell us in the comments: what are other time or money-saving tips that help you as your kids get ready to go back to school?

5 simple tips are all you need for a back to school guide that helps you save both time and money. Try them out this year.