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MILWAUKEE - Sending kids back to school can be quite costly.

Not only do families struggle with costs for school fees, clothes, and backpacks, but school supplies, and sometimes book fees, can also put a crimp in a budget.

If you are looking for ways to cut some of these costs, here is what you can do:

• Get a list of the required supplies and create a co-op with others for buying supplies in bulk or at a discount that can be split up and shared among multiple students.

• Consider renting books or buying them used. If a used copy is not available in the store, ask if one can be ordered. Or, check with reputable websites that offer discounted prices on used and new textbooks, or who offer options to rent books. You may even be able to get help with these options directly from the publisher or distributor of the book.

• Consider shopping at re-sale stores for clothes, backpacks, and shoes. You may be surprised to find some great bargains on items that appear new or gently used.

If your budget is limited and the cost to purchase everything on the list presents a challenge, contact your school and ask for other options that are more affordable.