Shopping For School Supplies in Full Swing
Visitors to Costa Rica who pick up the daily Spanish language newspapers or while doing shopping have a puzzled look about the prominent promotion and display or school supplies from notebooks to uniforms.

In Costa Rica the school year begins in February and end in December. This year the school year starts on February 7, when children return to classes for the next 200 days.

Authorities are urging parents to learn how to buy school utilities, the best bargain may not be the best buy.

Recommendations include to first learn what is necessary. Each school and district has varying requirements. A call to the school can go a long way to learn the necessary essentials to purchase.

Second is to make a budget. Plan your shopping. If you have more than one child to purchase for, look for common items that can be shared, a step that can save lots.

School uniforms are mandatory and buying the right size is important. Parents should keep in mind that smaller children will grow during the year and snug, well fit, uniform will not last. Perhaps a size or two bigger is suggested.

Shop around. Compare prices. Compare quality. Not all retailers offer the same quality and sometimes the cheapest now turns out to be the most expensive later. Look for quality, compare prices in newspaper ads and so walking to various retail outlets is suggested.

A shopping list will help out. Make the list, check it twice, and stay with it. Bringing along children to do the shopping can turn out to be expensive and frustrating.

And, perhaps the most important tip, is to always ask for a receipt for your purchase and keep it safe. It will be needed in the future to make any returns or exchanges.