Start with THE back-to-school essential - the planner! Choose a large calendar, or even a paper diary, to use as a family planner. Hang it up in the kitchen, set up a colour code, and decorate it with a few stickers. As time goes by, you can write down birthdays, activities, and other important dates to keep an overview of everything that's going on in the household. This will help the little ones become more aware of other members of the family and their schedules, and avoid having to purchase a gift at the very last minute!

It feels good to take care of our environment! And that goes right down to our school lunchboxes. Choose bamboo or silicone containers, and cotton lunch bags; try out beeswax wrapping for sandwiches, and a reusable wheat straw cup for those morning coffees on the go. These alternative materials are all easy to clean, more eco-responsible than plastic, lighter than glass which can be awkward to carry around, and generally as cute as anything!

The back-to-school period can quickly become quite expensive. To limit unnecessary spending, sort through your old school supplies and clothes you have at home before topping up with basics and allocating a budget for a treat. New headphones, a set of fancy pens, or a pair of trendy shoes, for example, will go a long way. Remember to involve the kids in the process, and let the older ones manage their budget on their own.