Dollar car rental discount coupon

The first day of school should be the start of a beautiful friendship between your children and learning. After all, a solid education is the cornerstone of a successful future. As parents, it's your task to set those young minds on the path to achievement in academics and in life.

So whether your kids are heading to kindergarten or college this September, here's what you need to do to help them sprint to the head of the class:

[Check] Start shopping now!

Either you can wait until the last second to do back-to-school shopping, then scramble around town scavenging for school supplies and fighting with other irate parents over the last three-ring binder or those odd-size bed sheets designed for college dorms, or you can start now, beat the rush and save yourself time, cash and gray hairs.

Get more power from your dollar by shopping at outlet malls and discount-price stores, waiting for department stores to have their big back-to-school sales and by clipping those coupons. Check the Sunday newspapers on August 1, 2004, for the P&G Back-to-School brand-Saver coupon book, which saves you money on a host of products and supports the United Negro College Fund.

And avoid stressful crowds and traffic by shopping during off-hours. Early morning when businesses first open or right after lunch during the work week are typically peaceful shopping times.

While you're strolling the aisles, fill your cart with the products that will help take the stresses out the everyday messes that crop up during back-to-school time like paper towels. Bounty paper towels are perfect for washing and drying those dirty cereal bowls, soaking up coffee and cola spills, heating up leftover pizza in the microwave and of course, dusting off those textbooks.

Also, stock up on bathroom tissue, because it's the last thing you want to run out of at home. Try Charmin Scents "Wildflower Fresh," which has a light scent of wildflowers on the tube, not the tissue, to help keep your bathroom smelling nice.

And while your kids are snatching those retro jeans and T-shirts off the racks during your shopping spree, remember that easy-care, washable fabrics can help cut down on dry cleaning costs. Choose a laundry detergent that can make quick work of those mile-high piles of back-to-school gear. New Tide Tropical Clean makes the grade when it comes to dissolving stubborn stains, leaving your clothes clean with a tropical fresh scent.

However, if you want to avoid crowds and traffic, just shop online for your back-to-school supplies. Many retailers have websites on the Internet, so if you have access to a computer, you can order items, pay for them online and have them shipped right to your front door without burning a drop of precious gas.

[Check] Create a checklist.

Stay on top of the million and one things you have to do to get your children ready for school by making a to-do sheet. Here are a few items to include on your list:

* Make sure your student is properly registered and confirm the date and time school starts.

* Find out any requirements the school has for students; obtain the school handbook, the list of needed textbooks and work supplies and the dress code.

* Complete health forms, emergency-contact forms and financial aid forms.

* Schedule physical exams and immunizations; make sure important prescriptions are filled; notify the school of your child's medical conditions and medications.

* Check if the school provides meals and, if so, the cost.

* Schedule transportation; make arrangements for daily pick-up and after-school care for young students; book flights or rent vehicles for college students.

* Settle housing accommodations for college students; arrange to ship appliances like computers, refrigerators and televisions.

[Check] Prioritize.

Keep from getting overwhelmed by prioritizing duties. Time-sensitive tasks, like scheduling medical exams and immunizations, registering your student or submitting important paperwork should always be done first. Likewise, airline, hotel, rental car and shipping reservations need to be made early if you want to get the best deal. Create a to-do list and post it in a prominent place. And give yourself realistic deadlines.

[Check] Show them you care.

Prepare a care package for your college-bound children so that they'll have one less thing to worry about when they get to campus. Pack the essentials: basic kitchen supplies (plastic bowl, cup, utensils, can/bottle opener), room supplies (alarm clock, desk and bedside lamp, fan, storage bins, clothes hangers) and bed and bath items (2 sets of sheets and pillowcases, 2 pillows, bath towels and washcloths, blanket, comforter and mattress pad, laundry bag).

[Check] Get young students back on track.

If you've been lax about enforcing bedtimes during the summer, make the transition to a school-year sleep schedule less stressful for your kids by easing them into a new routine. Start at least a week before school begins, then each day until the first day of school, have them go to sleep 15 minutes earlier and wake up 15 minutes earlier than the day before until they are back on schedule.

Also, make bedtime and wake time pleasant affairs. Before you say good night, spend some quiet quality time with your children. Read a storybook together, tell knock-knock jokes, start a tickle fight or just snuggle. In the morning, entice them from under the covers with a healthy breakfast and spend time talking to them and getting them excited about the new day.

[Check] Be optimistic, but realistic.

Don't over-romanticize school for your children. Tell them it's normal to feel nervous about going back to school, especially if it's a new school or if it's their first time away from home. Encourage them to share their feelings with you. Let your sons and daughters know that whether or not they make the honor roll or dean's list, you will always be there for them. With your love and encouragement, your children will get a head start toward a good school year and a great future.