Mini EP3: Back to School Season...The Financial Ambush

Welcome back to Mini Money Makeover—our series of quick, practical episodes designed to help first responders and their families make meaningful financial progress in just 15–20 minutes.It's back-to-school season...Which means it's time for school supplies, backpacks, new clothes, sports registrations, classroom donations, fundraisers, field trips, and wondering how "free public education" somehow became one of the most expensive times of the year.If back-to-school shopping feels more like a financial ambush than an annual tradition, this episode is for you.In this Mini Money Makeover, we're sharing practical strategies to prepare for school expenses without blowing up your budget or relying on your next overtime check to save the day.In this episode, you'll learn:Why back-to-school season catches so many families off guard—even though it happens every yearThe hidden school expenses most parents forget to budget forHow to build a simple school sinking fundWays to separate "must-haves" from "nice-to-haves"Practical tips to keep school spending from turning into holiday debt later in the yearBack-to-school doesn't have to become back-to-budget-stress.A little planning today can make the entire school year a lot less expensive.🎧 Spend 15 minutes with us and learn how to send your kids back to school without sending your finances into detention.Follow us on IG:Budgets for Badges: https://www.instagram.com/budgetsforbadgesRebecca Jameson: https://www.instagram.com/bluelinemoneycoachChris Harcksen-Lucero: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthenumbersbn