(StatePoint) Getting everything for back to school shopping can be stressful. Not only does the whole family need to get organized for the upcoming academic year, but doing so can be expensive.

To make the back-to-school season easier and more affordable, the shopping experts at Dollar General are sharing convenient and cost-effective tips to prep the family for a great school year:

Clothes

Don’t spend a fortune outfitting those quickly-growing arms and legs. For school uniforms, research online low prices, discounts and free shipping offers on all the basic collared shirts and pants.

Keep your kids looking good longer with a wide assortment of basic jeans, sweaters and sweatshirts for those upcoming fall and winter days.  This way, you can feel comfortable replacing clothing when they are outgrown.

Time to Eat

The importance of serving kids breakfast can’t be overstated. Keep kids fueled for success by stocking up on cereal, oatmeal and fruits for busy mornings. Quick and healthy, these require little effort and make an affordable way to get the day started.

Think about convenience and variety with school day lunches. Pack hazelnut cocoa spread and jelly sandwiches, turkey and Swiss cheese wraps or hearty soups.  All are easy to prepare and easy on the wallet.

Go nuts and give your kids a protein kick at lunch or snack time. You can save by doling portions of cashews or peanuts.  Fruits and vegetables are also great options as they provide vitamins and minerals. 

Be sure to have plenty of lunch bags, napkins and sandwich bags for easy packing. By finding your food and supply staples at a discount store such as Dollar General or Dollar General Market stores, you can easily save on school breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

School Supplies

Make shopping for school supplies an organized effort. Before you head to the store, do a quick inventory of what you already have and its condition to determine what you need. Cross reference the school supplies list from your child’s school to be sure you don’t miss anything.

If you have multiple children, save by letting them share certain items at home such as scissors, glue, crayons and markers. Also look for the latest supplies that will help your children thrive, including the new iMagine school line at Dollar General. 

For even better deals, shop online the Monday after the No. 20 Dollar General Toyota wins or has a top ten finish in the NASCAR Nationwide or Sprint Cup Series for an additional discount.

With the right techniques, let your children ace the reading, writing and arithmetic and you can earn an A+ in shopping.