Endless to-do lists are no match for savvy parents.

Every parent knows the feeling: One second you’re enjoying a fun-filled summer packed with barbecues, afternoons by the pool, and family beach trips. The next, you’re bombarded with back-to-school shopping lists, ads for the season’s must-haves, and inevitably, a pounding headache. The impending shopping trips — and strain on your wallet — might feel like a tidal wave is about to hit. Modern back-to-school shopping doesn’t need to be overwhelming thanks to options that make it easier to manage (and save) money. Whether you’re browsing for the latest fashion picks and trendy lunch boxes, or high tech gear like laptops, bookmark these tips and tricks for smarter shopping as you stock those backpacks ahead of first-day-of-school drop-off.

With rising costs of just about everything, discount codes, coupons, and getting cash back are more popular (and essential) than ever. But it can also make hunting for the deals that save you the most cash feel like a full-time job. PayPal Honey is a free browser extension for mobile and desktop that helps you discover coupons you might have otherwise missed and applies them automatically at checkout. PayPal Honey also helps you find cash back offers on eligible purchases1, which means you actually earn while you shop. The extension is easy to install with just a few clicks. Try it at your favorite online retailers and start saving on everything from school supplies to tees. Turns out, you don’t need to be a pro couponer to make your money go further.

As kids get older, school supplies get more advanced — and that often means more expensive. Whether your middle-schooler has convinced you this is the year they need to start carrying a smartphone, or your high-schooler’s advanced classes and college prep require a reliable laptop, there’s a good chance your shopping list includes high-end electronics and other high-priced must-haves. Thanks to Pay Later with PayPal, you can spread the payments for these purchases out over time, helping you manage your budget.

For purchases of $30-$1,500 (like those coveted tablets), you can select Pay in 42 and break the cost into four interest-free payments with the first payment due at time of purchase. With larger back-to-school purchases that fall into the $199-$10,000 price range (i.e. a laptop), try Pay Monthly3 and you can break the cost into monthly payments over a longer period of time. Flexible payment plans can mean less financial stress and more choice to fit your budget, so you can focus on the exciting school-year activities that are just around the corner.

Here’s a scenario that might sound familiar: Days before the start of school you get an email from the class coordinator asking for donations of pencils, paper towels, hand sanitizer, and snacks. You could pack into the car and hit every store in town filling your car to the brim, but is that really the most effective way to shop? The academic year, and all the chaos that comes along with it, leaves less time for basic household chores, much less the fun and important stuff like family dinners or visits with grandparents. The smarter move may be to save time, gas, and energy by having bulk supplies shipped directly to your door. Your order will be on its way as you sneak in some last-minute summer adventures with the kids.

September is just the beginning of this season’s spendings. When you’re done with school shopping, it’ll be Halloween. And when you’re done with Halloween, it’ll be time for the holidays. The key to managing it all? A well-planned budget. Kick things off by setting limits on back-to-school spending, allotting certain amounts for supplies, clothes, and electronics, for example. Keep track of payments in a spreadsheet or, better yet, choose PayPal at checkout for automatic organization. You can seamlessly track payments in the app to stay aware of your budget and even receive notifications for upcoming payments. The app will keep a record of the transaction so it’s almost like having a personal assistant.

Remember that aforementioned chaos? Kick it to the curb and utilize the back-to-school shopping season to purchase things your household needs, too. In the kitchen, a cafe-quality espresso maker and sandwich press render even the most rushed mornings a little easier (and more delicious). An air-fryer can get dinner on the table in 30 minutes and a pebble ice machine makes beverages more fun. When the house feels like a busy intersection between school, practices, and play dates, anything that brings the crew together is a win. A successful start to the year is not only achievable, it’s…soon. And you’ve got it covered.

1.Eligible items only. Redeem points for cash and other rewards. Requires account with PayPal in good standing. Terms and exclusions apply. 2. Pay in 4 eligibility varies by state. CA: Loans made or arranged pursuant to a California Financing Law License. GA: Installment Lender Licensee, NMLS #910457. RI: Small Loan Lender Licensee. Learn more at paypal.com/buynowpaylater.​ 3.Pay Monthly is subject to credit approval. Offer availability varies by state, merchant, and purchase amount. PayPal, Inc.: RI Loan Broker Licensee. The lender for Pay Monthly is WebBank. Learn more at paypal.com/buynowpaylater.

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