I know it seems early to start thinking about back-to-school but, for many of us, the next school year is less than a month away.   I wanted to share a few tips on how you can reduce the costs and the financial stress experienced by your family. Recent research shows that financial stress is linked directly to weight gain. The average family spends approximately $500 per child for back-to-school supplies and clothing.  If you have children, you know the beginning of each year brings a flurry of expenses.  If you have more than one child, the costs can be astronomical!

You can reduce those costs significantly by making a few small changes in your buying strategies.

• Are the last year’s uniforms or clothing in good shape and fit properly?  If so, save some of your budget for later in the year when replacement is necessary.  If not, can you sell the old uniforms at a consignment shop or passed down to a younger child?
• Do you have left over notebooks, pens, pencils, markers, etc from last year?  
• Is the backpack from last year reusable?

• Save sale papers from local stores and compare prices
• Use coupons
• Buy off brand items
• Don’t buy all the school supplies needed until after school starts.  On the first day of school, ask what items are immediately necessary.  Buy those items and purchase the rest when stores put overstocked items on clearance.
• Shop online at bulk office supply stores
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A few months ago, I tried my hand at acrylic painting. It was fun and relaxing. The paintings did not turn out exactly the way I envisioned but it was an overall success. The true reward was allowing myself the freedom to be creative and uninhibited.

Being a very serious person, I am fascinated by what sparks creativity in people.  What makes some of us think in terms of black and white and others swirl with tye dye?  If you were wondering, I am the black and white voice of reason and practicality in my family and the “boys” are both 100% tye dyed!

If you are having trouble sparking your creativity or breaking out of the day-to-day routine, try some of these fun suggestions from Doug Hall author of Jump Start Your Brain and Jump Start Your Business Brain. These suggestions will help you get in touch with the uninhibited person you were as a child.

• Inhale the contents of a helium balloon.
• Buy a joy buzzer, pepper gum, black soap, and fake dog poo and learn how to use them properly.
• Climb a tree.
• Fly a kite. Pretend you are the kite.
• Hang by your knees from the monkey bars.
• Roll down a hill.
• Swing as high as you can.
• Write a letter in crayon.
• Visit a fun house.
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On a hiking trip last weekend, we stopped at a unique mountain town just off the Appalachian Trail -- Helen, Georgia.

We toured some of the shops in town.  As we entered one shop, Gold Valley, the owner Jeff stopped ringing up a paying customer, walked over to us and asked my honey and I if we were military veterans.  Phillip said yes.  He shook his hand, thanked him, and took the time to ask where and when he had served.  He then asked him to sign his book.  As he signed, Jeff explained that the entire top of the store is bordered with pages of signatures from veterans that had visited his store.  Only after thanking Phillip again, Jeff returned to his customer.  The customer patiently waited and did not say a word; she stood with a smile on her face and a sense of pride that seemed to come with her being part of that moment.

United States military members volunteer to uphold the constitution even at the loss of their lives.  They believe in this country and the values that we hold dear.   They believe that everyone, in every country should be free.  

I have been fortunate to be part of the military community for the majority of my life.  I was a granddaughter to an Air Force/ Army World War II veteran, a daughter to an Army Vietnam Veteran, a stepdaughter to an Air Force Gulf War Veteran and a Navy wife during the September 11 tragedy.

• We are always working harder to make more money to obtain things we do not need to impress people we do not like.  In doing this, we are missing the true joy in our lives.
• Leadership is at home, work, school, and in every aspect of your everyday life.  
• You have the power to change your thinking and your environment for the better.
• Be kind to those around you.  You never know what others are going through.
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