Back to School

I loved the first day of school - mainly because I always got a new outfit. New shoes, a new skirt or dress and even an accessory (or two, or three....)

My Mum indulged me with a new purse and knee-high socks. It was a way to convince me that going back to school was worth giving up the days of fun that had made up my summer holidays.

But when you head to college, it's not the same as elementary or high school. Everything has changed - your instructors or professors may not know your name and your fellow students are all strangers. How to stand out in the crowd?

Making the right impression is important. Student and Yorkdale blogger Juliana Ashley offers tips on how to dress to impress on campus this season.

If you haven't finished your back-to-school shopping and you still need to buy a shiny piece of technology for your child then you might want to stop at Best Buy.

Until September 1st, you can bring in your old tech and get a discount when you buy new tech. For example, bring in your old Mac and get $100 towards a new Mac. Shiny!

Dear parents: I know there's part of you that is so excited to send your kids back to school.

Do you want to help your college student save money and possibly even earn some money for the upcoming school year?

A trip to the dollar store is an absolute must as is probably a trip to your fave tech supplier to get the student the necessities as well as the must-haves that fit into the budget.

But there are few other ideas to consider for student survival: tips to help make school life a lot easier for parents who are sending their son or daughter off to college, and avoid that Sunday night phone call for more money.

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We've all heard of spring cleaning. There are countless articles every year giving tips & tricks on how to prepare and stay organized in the spring and summer. But for many of us, that "fresh start" or "clear the decks" mindset really doesn't set in the spring, but instead finds itself firmly entrenched after Labour Day.

"I think everyone still has that September, back to school feeling, even though we don't go back to school." says Jaclyn Ray, a Toronto-based professional organizer known as The Clutter Wrangler. Of course, people with kids are going through the back to school thing of putting away summer stuff and some people are closing their cottages. A lot of stuff just sort of happens around September 1st."

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Creating wireless applications specifically for kids has become a major business proposition. Why? Simple, Watson, simple: just as yesteryear parents used to use Saturday morning cartoon shows on TV as the cheapest babysitter there is, today's parents have no issues with letting their children play with their iPads and other such paraphernalia.

It might be good for business, programmers in particular, and way too many parents seem to think their lives are becoming easier, too. But are the children themselves better off?

Today's widely accepted answer is neither a unanimous YES, nor a unanimous NO.

Why?

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My kid brother is getting ready for a year-long séjour à Paris. I'm excited for him. I'm jealous, too. But, above all, I want him to be prepared.

Every year thousands of Canadians either travel to study or work abroad. For these courageous and curious people the lure of studying or travelling abroad is an opportunity to gain worldly knowledge, a greater appreciation for cultural diversity and, in some cases, a fatter paycheque. Having lived in Europe, South America and the U.S., I've learned a thing or two about being an expat. And with fall (my kid brother's departure) drawing near, I thought I'd share some valuable tips on how you can get the most out of your international experience.

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Buy a little Canadiana and get 25 per cent off when you spend $100 at Roots. Roots is doing some heavy back-to-school promotion right now so if you want to indulge in that leather satchel to carry all your books, now's the time.

The offer is good online and in stores for a limited time.

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It's a sad fact perhaps that teachers must pay for certain teaching and motivational tools out of their own pockets, but it doesn't have to be an expensive business. Here are four ways that dollar stores help teachers save on back to school needs.

Teaching tools

Plastic charts that can be hung on the wall teach numbers, addition, ABC's, multiplication tables and time for just $1.50 each at Dollarama.

Seven-piece borders with the alphabet or numbers and colorful illustrations, are just $1 each.

Just in time for back to school shopping. If you feel the need for new shoes for fall and who doesn't, then take advantage of Footlocker's offer. Between August 25th and 28th, you can take 30 per cent off your purchase.

Just print off this coupon, take it with you and enjoy your new shoes!

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One of my girlfriends with children sent this to me today. The Children's Place is offering 25% off when you spend $50 or more in store or online.

Just enter the code 2T2E2011 at the checkout or just print out this coupon and bring it into the store. The offer starts today and runs until August 21st.