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BUSINESS Wednesday 10 July 2019
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What to do when back to school bites you in the budget

By ALICE HOLBROOK for the month to compen-
NerdWallet sate,” says Love, who writes
Associated Press at The Budget Mom.
It might seem like you’ve Public school parents might
been saving for back to find assistance with some
school since you packed school expenses through
your children’s backpacks their Parent Teacher As-
last fall. But after replacing sociation, says Heidi Em-
worn-out erasers, outgrown berling, director of Parents
clothes and an outdated Place, a family resource
laptop, you may still feel center in the San Francisco
the financial pinch. Bay Area.
And then there are items Or if you can’t donate to
for which you didn’t bud- a fundraiser or classroom
get. Maybe it’s a budding event, volunteer instead.
interest in a travel sport, a “There are lots of ways to
fundraiser, or birthday cup- contribute, and money is
cakes. only one of those ways,”
“Parents think they’re go- Emberling says.
ing to get a bonus because USE ‘NO’ AS A TEACHING
day care is gone,” says MOMENT
Court Creeden, a North If you simply can’t afford a
Carolina-based financial school expense, etiquette
adviser whose practice and lifestyle expert Elaine
focuses on parents. “They In this July 31, 2018 photo, “back to school” signage hangs in a store in Methuen, Mass. Swann recommends an
quickly realize that all the Associated Press “on-your-own-terms no.”
expenses that come from doing it. Then that may not to you, and then spending If you believe an expense is That might mean offer-
school add up.” be as high a priority as if it’s intentionally. Creeden asks worthwhile, but don’t think ing an alternative, such as
If the unexpected expens- a requirement or related to his clients if “where they’re you can afford it, you might a sleepover in place of a
es are for the classroom, college entrance exami- spending their money is in have other options. pricey class overnight.
you might be tempted to nations,” says Samantha line with the life they’re try- Blogger Kumiko Love builds When her kids were young-
say yes, even if they stress Gregory, who blogs about ing to create with their fam- an emergency fund for er, Gregory would explain,
your bank balance. But if parenting and finances at ily.” last-minute school costs “We’re going to be do-
you can’t afford it all — or Rich Single Momma. She Setting limits upfront can before the year starts. And ing this in a few months, so
the asks seem excessive — paid for her daughter to also help. “I always had a when her son wanted to we’re saving the money
here’s what to do. attend aviation camp be- rule that for every term (my start wrestling, she planned for that.” And she suggests
PRIORITIZE EXPENSES cause she felt it would bol- kids) could only be involved meals around ingredients discussing your priorities
When working with a lim- ster college applications. in one activity,” Gregory she already had and sold with older kids and involv-
ited budget , you’ll have If you want your child to says. This helps head off an unused couch to af- ing them in the decision.
to choose what’s worth the build social skills, then ac- ballooning extracurricular ford the equipment. “Hav- Sometimes “they end up
cash. tivities with their friends costs — and burnout. ing my son be involved in telling themselves no, so I
“Sometimes kids do things may win out. The point is SEEK ALTERNATIVE FUNDING sports is important to me, so don’t necessarily have to,”
because their friends are deciding what’s important OPTIONS I gave up certain ‘wants’ she says.q

Global shares mostly retreat ahead of Fed statement

By YURI KAGEYAMA slipped 1.1% to 12,403.66. edly strong pickup in U.S. much of June after the Fed Fed’s semi-annual mone-
Associated Press Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.4% to employment growth last signaled that it’s prepared tary report to Congress. q
TOKYO (AP) — Global 7,523.11. month may lead the Fed- to cut interest rates to off-
shares were mostly lower U.S. shares were set for a eral Reserve to hold back set slowing global growth
Tuesday in quiet trading as retreat, with Dow futures on aggressively cutting its and the fallout from U.S.
investors awaited signs of dipping 0.4% to 26,685. S&P benchmark interest rate. trade conflicts.
what might be ahead for 500 futures lost nearly 0.5% Many investors still expect Investors will be listening
U.S. interest rates. to 2,965.20. a cut of a quarter percent- closely for any hints on the
France’s CAC 40 lost 0.6% Shares fell on Wall Street age point, but fewer are central bank’s interest rate
in early trading to 5,557.33, overnight amid growing now expecting a half-point policy on Wednesday and
while Germany’s DAX speculation an unexpect- reduction. Thursday, when Fed Chair
The market rallied through Jerome Powell delivers the

An investor walks in front of stock trading boards at a private
market gallery in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Tuesday, July 9, 2019.
Associated Press