The start of a new school year can be an expensive time for parents. However, there are ways to save money while ensuring your kids have everything they need.
It's back-to-school time again, and the students in your life are definitely going to need school supplies and gadget essentials to help them work — and play. And to help, we've assembled some of our favorite gear for those who are on tighter budgets. Here are three of CNET's top picks to give your student a boost back into the educational routine. These are the back-to-school essentials under $100 that we heartily recommend. And for more gadgets for classroom and dorm, check out CNET's full guide to the Best Back-to-School Gear for $100 or Less in 2022 at https://cnet.co/3QSzxT3.
Great budget laptop bag: Solo Duane Hybrid Briefcase Backpack
The Solo Duane Hybrid Briefcase Backpack has detachable backpack straps that stow in a pocket on the back. (Sarah Tew/CNET/TNS)
CNET TAKE: Trying to decide between a shoulder laptop bag and backpack? Hybrids like this Solo Duane Hybrid Briefcase Backpack have both options, with detachable backpack straps that stow in a pocket on the back when you want to ditch the shoulder strap and wear it like a backpack. The dedicated laptop compartment has room for up to a 15.6-inch laptop, and there's plenty of room for all your other stuff. Available in multiple color options (price varies slightly by color), it's a great laptop bag with a budget-friendly price that's on our list of the best laptop backpacks for 2022.
Amazon, $40.
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Compact and versatile on-the-go power: Anker 735 3-Port 65W USB-C charger
The Anker 735 3-Port 65W USB-C charger can charge a MacBook Pro 13 at full speed. (David Carnoy/CNET/TNS)
CNET TAKE: Anker's compact 735 65W charger can charge a MacBook Pro 13 at full speed. Not only is it quite small for the amount of power it can deliver (it has foldable prongs), but it also has three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A) that allow you to charge multiple devices at the same time (though that 65 watts of power is split between the ports if you charge more than one device).
Amazon, $59.99.
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Pocket-friendly wireless speaker: JBL Go 3
CNET TAKE: The JBL Go 3's durable design, coupled with surprisingly decent sound for its tiny size, make it one of the top micro Bluetooth speakers out there.
Available in multiple color options, it has an IP67 water-resistance rating, meaning it can be dunked in water and is dust-proof. Battery life is rated at up to five hours.
Amazon, $39.99.
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6 kitchen organizing tricks to simplify back-to-school
1. Purge the pantry.
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A few weeks before classes kick off, remove everything from your pantry and cupboards. Check each item for an expiration date and toss anything thatâs past its prime. Update your shopping list with items to restock, and reorganize each shelfâgrouping categories of similar items together and leaving a little extra room to prevent overcrowding later. Do the same in the fridge, leaving shelf or drawer space for perishable lunch staples like deli meat, cheese and yogurt.
2. Conquer storage containers.
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As you clean the pantry and cupboards, set aside any and all glass and plastic tubs â whether theyâre oddball takeout containers or part of a set. Match lids to bottoms and recycle any that have lost their partner. âFileâ the containers and their lids in a deep drawer, for easy access.
3. Refresh your command station.
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Somewhere in or near the kitchen, gather important papers, a calendar, pens, school information and files. âWe keep keys in a cup at the station, too, and any important in-process information,â says home-cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk. Designating a spot for things like permission slips or to-be-completed homework makes it easier to stay on top of the piles. âWhen everything has a home,â she adds, âitâs easy for everyone to find what they need â and even easier to put it away.â
4. Separate lunch foods and snacks.
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As youâre prepping the kitchen, label an area for snacks (a container in the pantry and fridge will do). Pre-portion treats for after-school noshing, and set some ground rules; perhaps everybody gets one piece of fruit and one crunchy snack each afternoon. Food blogger Melanie Gunnell also reserves certain food for lunch: âI designate a drawer in my fridge thatâs âoff-limitsâ for general snacking. It seems silly, but with five growing children in my home, it doesnât take much for them to eat up everything in sightâand when we go to pack lunches, the options are long gone.â
5. Plan dinners in advance.
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Rapinchuk plans a weekâs worth of dinners on Friday, before her big weekly shopping trip. âI swear by my recipe binder, where I keep a running list of favorite meals,â she says. âI rotate through the favorites and add a new recipe or two each week.â She also maintains a running shopping list to keep track of miscellaneous items. When putting together a menu, think about more than what the kids will eat. âI try to be realistic about our schedule, my motivation level and everyoneâs sanity,â says Gunnell.
6. Make friends with your freezer.
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As summer comes to an end, it doesn’t hurt to stock the freezer with dinner options — and even lunch items — that you can thaw and serve a few weeks down the road. When you make a meal, double the recipe and freeze a portion. It’ll save the day on a busy school night.
(EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at www.eatingwell.com.)
PennyWise podcast: 6 tips to help you save on back-to-school shopping this year!
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