FAIRBANKS — The long, lazy days of summer are getting shorter and school is just around the corner. As summer draws to a close, many parents will drag their children through the store to stock up on all those supplies that the well equipped student needs.

Hang on to your wallet — back to school is a two-month retail extravaganza designed to cost you money.

Before checking a single back-to-school sales flyer, you need to know both what you need and what you have on hand.

• Download the school supplies list from the school district website or pick one up at a local store. Then go through the house and see what you have that is on the list. Items on hand will save you money.

• Check your drawers and closets for rulers, notebooks, folders, notebook paper or any other item. Mark these items off the list, then go to the store for what you need.

I remember when my children were preparing for the start of school; the back-to-school aisles looked like a toy store to them. That new “Toy Story” notebook might be what they want, but too many items like this could break your budget.

• Use this shopping opportunity to teach your student about finances. Put them on a budget and help them make the decisions to live within that budget. If they really want that cartoon character backpack, they might have to use last year’s notebook to compensate. It’s a great time to teach lifelong lessons on money management.

• Shop early. Many stores offer loss leaders — products offered below their actual cost to entice you into the store. These begin to pop up in discount stores and office supply stores in mid-July. If you can pick up loss leaders for items you know you’ll need — lined notebook paper, pencils, crayons and report folders — you’ll spare the budget for big-ticket buys.

• Shop everywhere. Check for school supply bargains at nontraditional places such as grocery stores, hardware stores, craft stores or drug stores. Many of these retailers offer great deals on school supplies in an effort to get you in the door. While you are doing your regular shopping, keep your eyes open.

• Buy in bulk. Another way to save is to buy in bulk from warehouse or office supply stores. You then can divide up your purchases and split the cost with other families.

• Shop late. None of us want to be dragging children through the aisles the night before school starts. Talk about pressure. See if your student can begin the year with leftovers from last year. Items in the same store one week later might just be deeply discounted. When they are marked down is the time to stock up on the items they will need throughout the year — notebook paper, notebooks, pencils, pens and crayons. These items make great stocking stuffers at Christmas. Last year, I purchased large crayon sets for $1 that found their way into a family gift at Christmas.

If you are stocking up, make sure you can easily find those supplies when they are needed. Set aside a shelf or a box for the extra supplies. Then you can find them and will not have to make special trips to the store and pay higher prices later.

Though it is tempting to buy cheaper items, sometimes that isn’t the best idea. Spend more money on the items that must take the wear and tear of daily use.

If you buy a backpack, make sure it will last. Look for good construction and strong zippers. You might even consider buying one with a money-back guarantee, particularly if your child is hard on backpacks.

Back to school is an exciting time. Be prepared when the time comes. You’ll save money, time and sanity as you get your children ready to go.

Roxie Rodgers Dinstel is a professor of extension on the Tanana District Extension Faculty. Questions or column requests can be e-mailed to her at rrdinstel@Alaska.edu.