Sending the kids back to school usually means shelling out a lot of money on school supplies, clothes, and more. Here are some of my tips on how NOT to go broke this fall. | This post contains affiliate links |
Invest in a Good, Basic Backpack and Lunchbox
Question: How many parents buy their kids new backpacks and lunchboxes every single year?
Answer: Wayyyy too many!
There's really no reason to shell out money that often on items that can can stand the test of time if you pick them right. I highly suggest NOT picking a character or crazy pattern backpack or lunchbox. Kids' tastes change from year to year (and sometimes week to week), and if you pick themed or cheaply made items they will not last. Our general guideline is upgrading backpacks once every "big transition" in school - so one backpack to last kindergarten through elementary school, a new one to last through middle school, and then finally a new one for high school. We love solid-color backpacks from high-quality companies like LL Bean - you just know they're going to last and never go out of style. (Pro-tip: check out the Outlets to get great, name-brand backpacks for less!)
Consignment Shop for Back-to-School Clothes
If you've been following the blog for any amount of time now, you know I'm a big fan of consignment selling and shopping. It's a great way to get rid of any clothes or shoes your kids might have outgrown or refuse to wear and make some money back to use on gently used, name-brand "new" items. That way you're essentially "trading up" for new clothes, and spend a lot less out of pocket.
{You can read more on my Consignment Selling and Shopping Tips HERE}
Buy Snacks in Bulk and/or Store Brand
If you pack your child's snacks and lunches the cost can definitely can add up over time. One way to save is to buy in bulk whenever possible. If you can buy prepackaged snacks in larger quantities the price-per-item is a lot lower. Buying store brand items over name brand is another great way to save.
Juice boxes are expensive (and arguably unhealthy), so having your child take a reusable water bottle to school saves a lot of money and also helps keep their sugar intake in-check.
Reuse Last Year's School Supplies
A lot of times the school supply list will include things like a set of binders, markers, glue, a pencil case, etc. Many times there's no reason to repurchase these things - they can often be reused from year-to-year. Empty out the old papers from last years binders and reuse those. And the makers, crayons, glue sticks, etc? They likely have plenty of life left - no need to buy more just yet!
Coupon and Rebate Apps
And of course, a great way to save if you need to buy items is to use coupons or rebates whenever you can. We really love Coupons.com for printing coupons and the rebate app Ibotta for earning money back on purchases. At the beginning of the school year, coupons and rebates on back-to-school items are usually plentiful, but make sure to only buy what you really need!
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As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England. Next in our series of interviews from New England Makers, we have Jennifer Fisher from Simply Equine Design!
Jennifer Fisher is the woman behind Simply Equine Design - she is best known for her incredibly realistic, hand-painted horse stall portraits and signs.
Tell me a little bit about yourself and your business.
Jennifer Fisher: I am a graduate of Colby-Sawyer College and have been a full time graphic designer for the last 13 years. I've been running Simply Equine Design (SED) on the side officially since 2012. Through SED I've branched off into photography — I often would travel to people and photograph their horses for painted portraits. From there, I frequently received photo requests so 2 years ago I decided to split the two and keep SED strictly for art. So currently, I quietly run the two simultaneously alongside working full time and being a mom — it's crazy haha. Holidays get hard, as my turnaround time often takes 4 weeks from start to finish, but I'm very strict about deadlines, and once the order deadline for holidays is up, that's it. I generally will close the shop after the cut off to reduce the number of requests I continue to receive. But it's fun.
How did you start Simply Equine Design? Had you been making stall signs for awhile or was this a new leap for you?
JF: I made my first sign in 1999, for the horse I was leasing. I wanted him to have a fancy sign, but I couldn't afford one, so I hand carved and painted one myself. It wasn't long after that I was asked by other boarders to make signs for their horses. I ended up painting signs for the entire barn that summer. Ten years later, when I bought my first horse, I revisited my signs and due to the amount of interest, I decided to open up my Etsy shop.
What does a typical day look like for you?
JF: Currently, SED is a weekend job so weekends can be a little chaotic. There is no typical day for me, I grab a time to work wherever I can find it — thank goodness for nap times!
What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?
JF: As what I do is completely custom, I love connecting with clients and learning their stories. Each portrait is very personal to the owner. Whether it be a simple stall sign or a memorial portrait. Knowing their stories is part of my process and makes each portrait a little more personal.
My least favorite part? Finances.
What has been the most exciting moment for Simply Equine Design since you started?
JF: The majority of my business comes from word of mouth, even now as I don't do any sort of advertising. So I would say one of the most exciting moments was to receive my first international order.
What advice do you have for people just starting out with a handmade business?
JF: Work hard, and keep pushing on. Small business are HARD and a lot of work.
What is your long-term goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
JF: I see myself expanding my product base to include a handful of non-custom products. I'd love to be able to attend some larger events such as the Equine Affair in Springfield, MA.
Who are some of your favorite New England Makers?
Keep up with Simply Equine Design
All photos courtesy of Simply Equine Design
DO YOU OWN A NEW ENGLAND-BASED BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING INTERVIEW? OR WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME STYLE, REVIEW, AND FEATURE ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS?
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New sign design in our Etsy shop! And I think this makes for the third new listing/design in the last week! (I have a been a busy bee, haha.) This farmhouse-inspired "gather" sign would make the perfect finishing touch to any gathering spot in your home! Shop this design and our others at our Etsy shop:
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New sign design in our Etsy shop! These distressed CAMP signs are just what you need to bring some rustic charm to your cabin/lakeside retreat or your everyday home. This sign has a hand-painted, antique feel to it and is just what you've been looking for. Shop this sign and more in our Etsy shop:
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New sign design in our Etsy shop! This one is for a Custom Last Name Established sign - perfect for a wedding, anniversary, or housewarming gift! This rustic sign is made on a wide grey-stained board with crisp permanent white vinyl lettering. Shop this sign and more in our Etsy shop:
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Honored to have been recently interviewed by BostonVoyager Magazine for their Trailblazers series! You can read the interview and see more photos here:
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It's almost that time! Are you ready for back to school yet?
I've put together a list of some of my favorite Amazon back-to-school finds for all ages and grade levels. | This post contains affiliate links |
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As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England! Next in our series of interviews from New England Makers, we have Roula Rallis from Sewcialite!
Roula Rallis is the one-woman show behind Sewcialite, a seacoast-based company best known for their gorgeous coastal-inspired creations - all made of rope, fabric, and paint!
Tell me a little about yourself and your business.
Roula Rallis: I am a wife, full time IT project manager, and mom of 2 (ages 7 and 4). Sewcialite is a part time home decor business. I design baskets, planters, wall baskets, bowls, coasters, and most recently tote bags and clutches using clothesline rope. All my designs are inspired by the coast and I am a huge fan of modern coastal interior design.
How did you start Sewcialite? Had you been making rope baskets for a while or was this a new leap for you?
RR: Sewcialite began as a hobby and has since turned into a side hustle. In March of 2017 I decided to make myself a basket for my home and I just fell in love with the design process! With the support of family & friends I opened my Etsy shop. And over the past 1.5 years I have continued to refine my designs by weaving them with fabric and hand painting them.
What does a typical day look like for you?
RR: My days are typically very long! I’m up at 6am packing lunches, orders, sometimes styling and posting products, and getting my kids ready for school! I drive my youngest to school, I then commute 45 mins to work. After working all day I am back in mom mode, I help make dinner, give baths, do homework. But once my kids are in bed the Sewcialite studio opens (my guest bedroom). My husband has been so very supportive and he does quite a bit of heavy lifting to give me time at night to design!
What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?
RR: My favorite part is being my own boss! Having worked for someone else my entire career it’s great to be able to call all the shots.
The least favorite part is being responsible for everything! Sometimes I wish I could clone myself! I’m designing, styling, photographing, advertising, fulfilling orders, blogging, etc. it can get overwhelming at times and I’ve had to learn to say no to be able to balance my full time job with Sewcialite.
What has been the most exciting moment for Sewcialite since you started?
RR: I’ve been so fortunate to have a few so I can’t choose just one! I am a HUGE fan of Serena & Lily! It’s one of my favorite home decor brands! They have actually liked a few of my social media posts and designs which is mind blowing! I’ve also been lucky to connect with a few amazing interior design social influencers who I’ve worked with like Jordecor and Coastal Interiors!
Also getting to meet many of the amazing entrepreneurs I follow on social media in person has also been so exciting and inspiring!
What advice do you have for people just starting out?
RR: Be prepared to take risks and work your butt off! Being an entrepreneur is not easy! Success does not happen overnight!
Make sure you have a good support system of family and friends! They will be crucial for those rough days where you may feel overwhelmed or frustrated!
What is your long-term goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
RR: My long term goal is to continue to slowly grow my social media presence, as it’s been the my primary channel for all of my online sales. I would also like to design a better/bigger studio space for myself too!
Who's one of your favorite New England Makers?
RR: I love
Watts in Maine
she designs the most beautiful jewelry and she works full time. I was lucky enough to meet her in Portland this year!
Update, Spring 2021:
I just wanted to share that Roula from Sewcialite is still going strong and adding even more amazing rope and coastal-inspired products to her lineup, including items such as: tote bags, hand-beaded clutches, statement jewelry, photographic prints, and more. Her beautiful work has been featured online and in print.
Some of these newer items are pictured below but be sure to check out her accounts for more!
All photos courtesy of Sewcialite.
DO YOU OWN A NEW ENGLAND-BASED BUSINESS AND WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED IN AN UPCOMING INTERVIEW? OR WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN HAVING ME STYLE, REVIEW, AND FEATURE ONE OF YOUR PRODUCTS?
Please drop me a note.
More Interviews from New England Makers:
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