10 Smart Tips for Cutting Costs on Back-to-School Shopping

It's that time of year again—summer is winding down, and parents are preparing their kids for the upcoming school year. With the excitement of new classes and teachers also comes the expense of back-to-school shopping. However, with a little planning and creativity, you can cut costs without compromising on quality. Here are ten smart tips to help you save money on back-to-school shopping.

1. Take Inventory at Home: Before hitting the stores, check your drawers and closets for unused supplies. You may be surprised to find perfectly good notebooks, pencils, and other supplies that can be repurposed for the new school year. No need to buy what you already have!

2. Create a Budget: Set a clear limit for your back-to-school spending. Write down a list of essential items, assign a budget to each category, and stick to it. Avoid impulse purchases by focusing only on what your child truly needs.

3. Shop Sales and Discounts: Retailers often offer back-to-school promotions and discounts. Keep an eye on store flyers, sign up for newsletters, and follow your favorite stores on social media to be notified of sales and exclusive deals.

4. Buy in Bulk: Consider purchasing frequently-used items like pencils and notebooks in bulk. You'll get a lower per-item cost, and having extra supplies on hand can save you money and hassle during the school year.

5. Use Price Comparison Tools: Use price comparison websites or apps to find the best deals on school supplies. By comparing prices across multiple retailers, you can ensure that you're getting the best value for your money.

6. Opt for Generic Brands: Instead of paying extra for brand-name supplies, consider generic or store-brand options. In most cases, the quality is comparable, and you can save a significant amount of money.

7. DIY School Supplies: Personalize plain notebooks or binders with stickers, washi tape, or other decorations. Not only will this save you money, but it can also be a fun and creative activity for you and your child to do together.

8. Shop Secondhand: Check out thrift stores, consignment shops, or online marketplaces for gently used school supplies and clothing. You can find quality items at a fraction of the price, and you'll be helping the environment by reducing waste.

9. Pool Resources with Other Parents: Connect with other parents to buy school supplies in bulk and share the cost. You can take advantage of bulk discounts without ending up with more supplies than you need.

10. Plan for the Long Term: Invest in durable items that will last for multiple school years, such as a sturdy backpack or lunchbox. While the initial cost may be higher, you'll save money in the long run by not having to replace these items every year.

Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to be expensive. By following these tips and prioritizing your child's needs, you can get everything on your shopping list without breaking the bank.

Happy shopping!

Starfest Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Star Gazing Event at Hopewell Furnace

Star enthusiasts are invited to gaze at the night sky this weekend at Hopewell Furnace in Union Township.

The National Park Service is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Starfest on Saturday evening.

Hosted by the ChesMont Astronomical Society, the event will feature formal presentations and activities tailored for kids.

Visitors can enjoy an enhanced view of the stars through multiple telescopes.

The starry festivities kick off at 6 p.m. and will run until 11 p.m.

The event will take place at Hopewell Furnace, located at 2 Mark Bird Lane (intersection of Route 345 and Hopewell Road).

You’re Invited To Join the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group on Facebook

We’re so glad you’ve joined the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group! This group was created as a place for residents to come together and discuss everything happening in our great town.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved to Pottstown, we’re excited to have you as part of this community forum. Here are a few things we hope you’ll use this group for:

• Share local news and events - help your neighbors stay in the know!

• Recommend your favorite local businesses - help support our local economy

• Ask questions and get advice about the area

• Join or organize community groups and meetings

• Stay up to date on town issues and developments

• Connect with fellow residents who share your interests

• And more! Everything Pottstown-related is welcome.

This group is for residents to discuss news, events, businesses, issues, and anything else related to our town. Let’s keep the conversations friendly, relevant, and productive.

We can’t wait to see members sharing local insights, tips, and perspectives.

Introduce yourself in the comments!

• What brought you to Pottstown?

• What do you love about the town?

• What would you like to see happen here in the future?

Thanks for being part of this community forum. We’re looking forward to the great discussions ahead!

Man Serving Prison Sentence for Rape Convicted in Drug-Smuggling Scheme at Montgomery County Jail

Mason Alexander Hall, a 23-year-old West Norriton man serving a prison sentence for raping a woman at gunpoint, has been convicted of participating in a drug-smuggling scheme at Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

He was sentenced to 3½ to 7 years, but this will run concurrently with his existing 13-to-32-year sentence for the 2017 sexual assault.

Hall admitted to conspiring with fellow inmate Luis Valazquez to smuggle drugs into the jail by spraying synthetic marijuana on paper and mailing it in. They planned to sell the drug-coated paper to other inmates.

Others involved in the scheme included Patrick David Perna, who received four years' probation, and Latashia Lucas and Luis Valazquez, both convicted of conspiracy charges and awaiting sentencing. During the investigation, authorities found a letter detailing Hall's plan and his goal of making $100,000 before being transferred to a state penitentiary.

Man Sentenced to 4-8 Years for Swinging Samurai Sword at Resident in Apartment Lounge

An Upper Merion Township man, Kenny Ray, has been sentenced to 4 to 8 years in prison for swinging a sword at another man in the lounge of their shared apartment building.

The incident occurred in November 2021, and Ray was convicted of charges including aggravated and simple assault. During the incident, Ray approached a man in the building's coffee shop and swiped a samurai sword at his neck, narrowly missing him.

Ray was tackled by two maintenance workers and a concierge. The victim, who had never met Ray before, was uninjured but fell while fleeing and hurt his leg. Ray will receive mental health and drug and alcohol treatment while in prison.

Tech Workers Resent UPS Employees' Potential $170K Pay; Should Consider Well-Paid Congressional Roles Instead

This summer, the Teamsters union negotiated a tentative contract with UPS, potentially offering employees up to $170,000 annually in pay and benefits within five years. While this substantial compensation garnered attention, it also sparked criticism from workers in typically higher-paying fields.

Tech workers, or those claiming to be, voiced their disapproval of the deal on anonymous message boards like Blind. One individual expressed disappointment and argued that engineers, who design the trucks used by UPS drivers, are more essential due to their broader societal impact. This sentiment seems to reflect a lack of solidarity among workers.

However, tech workers might be better off directing their frustration towards well-paid government employees, like members of Congress, who seem to work relatively fewer hours. As of December 2022, congressional members earn a minimum of $174,000 annually, excluding generous benefits.

Ballotpedia reports that House members worked an average of 149 days per year from 2001 to 2021, while senators averaged 164 days annually over the same period. In contrast, Americans not in Congress typically work around 260 days each year.

Although congressional members often work outside their legislative duties, such as meeting constituents, they are not required to do so. Regardless of how they spend their time away from the Capitol, they are compensated.

Instead of venting anonymously online, tech workers seeking well-paying jobs with less effort should consider running for office.

St. Paul's Peach Festival

When: AUGUST 19TH, 3 PM – 8 PM
Where: 1979 Weavertown Rd, Douglassville, PA 19518

St. Paul's UCC of Amityville's 40th Annual Peach Festival featuring live entertainment from 3:00 to 8:00.

Peaches, Ice Cream, Peach Cobbler, Pies, Cakes, Variety of Food and Drinks, Games for All Ages, and White Elephant Sale beginning at 8:00 am.

Upcoming Local Events

• Bonnie McFarlane returns to headline at SoulJoel's Comedy Dome - AUGUST 18TH, 7 PM

• Butterfly Festival 2023 at Colonial Gardens - AUGUST 19th, 9 AM – 5 PM

• Los Gios @ Manatawny Creek Winery - AUGUST 19TH, 1 PM – 5 PM

• St. Paul's Peach Festival - AUGUST 19TH, 3 PM – 8 PM

• Philadelphia Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2023 - AUGUST 19TH, 10 AM

• Dave Attell Returns to SoulJoel's Comedy Dome @ SoulJoel's at SunnyBrook - AUGUST 19TH, 6 PM

• Designer Bag Bingo supporting Trilogy BMX Park - State Street Entertainment Hall - AUGUST 19TH, 6:30 PM

• Food Truck Festival - Bear Creek Mountain - AUGUST 20TH, 12 PM – 5 PM

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

Click Here to Let us Know About Your Upcoming Event

EAGLES

Backup QBs Mariota and Thompson-Robinson Struggle in Injury-Marred Preseason Tie Between Eagles and Browns

Backup quarterbacks Marcus Mariota of the Philadelphia Eagles and Dorian Thompson-Robinson of the Cleveland Browns had mixed performances during a preseason game that ended in an 18-18 tie. The game was marked by injuries, and saw several players carted off the field.

Mariota, signed by the Eagles as a backup for Jalen Hurts, completed 9 of 17 passes for 85 yards with an interception and was sacked three times. He struggled with accuracy, often throwing high and off-target. Most of his completions were short passes that gained yards after the catch. Eagles fans showed their displeasure when Mariota's pass intended for tight end Grant Calcaterra was intercepted by Browns safety Ronnie Hickman. Mariota's half ended with a sack.

Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' franchise quarterback, did not play. The 2022 MVP runner-up signed a five-year deal worth $179.3 million in guaranteed money this offseason. Coach Nick Sirianni has chosen not to risk Hurts in the preseason, especially after he was injured last season. The Eagles want a strong backup quarterback in case Hurts is sidelined again.

Tanner McKee, a rookie sixth-round pick, played well in the second half, going 10 for 18 for 147 yards with a touchdown. This followed an impressive performance in his preseason debut against Baltimore.

For the Browns, Thompson-Robinson and Kelle Mond shared quarterback duties. Joshua Dobbs, the frontrunner as backup to Deshaun Watson, did not play. Thompson-Robinson had ups and downs in his performance. He completed 5 of 7 passes for 71 yards on the Browns' first drive, which ended with a fumble by running back John Kelly Jr. Thompson-Robinson also had a fumble, a sack, and a 15-yard penalty for an illegal block. He completed a beautiful 27-yard pass to Austin Watkins Jr.

Mond played against Philadelphia’s deep reserves in the second half.

The Browns have high hopes for Watson, the anchor of their offense, as they seek to rebound from a disappointing 7-10 record last year under coach Kevin Stefanski. Watson started in only six games last season due to an 11-game suspension stemming from accusations of sexual assault and harassment.

Both teams played mostly with backups and players unlikely to be on the roster for the regular season. First-team players, including Watson, watched from the sidelines.

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