The back to school season always brings a sense of excitement and anticipation, but it’s a time of year that can turn out to be a source of financial stress for many families. Buying school supplies, new clothes and uniforms, and other essentials quickly adds up, creating a substantial dent in household budgets. Quincy Credit Union understands these challenges and is committed to helping local families manage their finances effectively as they prepare to send kids back to school.

QCU is the reliable financial partner you can turn to if you need a little help preparing for the new school year. For those who need a loan to cover the rising costs of new school supplies, QCU’s back to school personal loan offers some much-needed relief.

Managing Everyday Expenses with Totally Free Checking

Managing back-to-school expenses can be made easier with a QCU Totally Free Checking account. When you open a Totally Free Checking account, you gain access to our highly-rated mobile banking app. This app allows you to make transfers, pay bills, and monitor your transactions, all from the safety of your device. Designed to help families manage everyday finances without the burden of fees, the Totally Free Checking account has no minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees. This means you can free up much-needed funds for essential school supplies.

By choosing a Totally Free Checking account from QCU, families can enjoy a (relatively) stress-free back-to-school season. Simplify your finances, eliminate unnecessary expenses, and focus your resources on what truly matters: your children’s education and well-being.

Teaching Financial Responsibility with Greenlight

One of the most valuable lessons that parents can teach their children is financial responsibility, and that’s why Quincy Credit Union recently began offering the Greenlight debit card for kids and their parents at no cost. This robust tool is designed to help kids learn money management skills under the watchful eye of their parents or guardians. Parents can set flexible spending limits and monitor their child’s spending, and assign chores with corresponding rewards to reinforce the concept that money is earned.

This hands-on approach to financial literacy lets children understand the importance of budgeting, saving, and spending responsibly. Greenlight offers a safe and controlled environment for kids to learn these important skills, and this early exposure to financial concepts will build a strong foundation for achieving financially stable lives.

More Back to School Savings Tips from QCU

Along with providing kids with some financial lessons and embracing QCU’s benefit-packed Totally Free Checking account, there are other strategies parents can use to save money on back to school needs.

●      Create a Budget

Work with your children to make a comprehensive list of all their school supply needs. Categorize them, set budgets, and prioritize spending to avoid impulse purchases at checkout

●      Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts

Many retailers offer significant discounts on school supplies and clothing during back to school season. Keep an eye out in advance and plan your shopping accordingly. Coupons and shopping apps offer further opportunities to save.

●      Buy in Bulk

For items that your child will use throughout the year, such as notebooks, pens, and snacks, buying in bulk can be a cost-effective option. Look for bulk deals at warehouse stores or online retailers.

●      Shop Second-Hand

Thrift stores and online marketplaces can be great places to find minimally-used clothing, backpacks, and other school essentials at a fraction of the cost of new items.

●      Reuse and Recycle

Take inventory of what you already have before you head out to shop. Many school supplies from the year before will be in usable condition. This will save you money and teach your kids the importance of sustainable financial practices.

Save Money during Back-to-School Season with QCU

Back to school season can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a financial burden. By leveraging the great offers at QCU, such as our flexible personal loans, Totally Free Checking account and kid-friendly Greenlight debit card, parents can make this fall the least stressful and most budget-friendly back to school year yet.

For more information on these tips and how to apply, visit www.qcu.org.