Tips for Improving the Life of Your Backpack

Every school child must use a backpack or some other type of school bag to transport their books from classroom to classroom and home. While some schools are trying to cut down on the burden of books on their students by using two sets of books (one for school and one for home) with the thought being that this will help their student's back health later in life, most schools have yet to implement this strategy. Because of this, many families find themselves purchasing new backpacks for their children year after year, as their old ones have fallen apart due to much use. However, buying new backpacks all the time can certainly become a financial strain on any family's budget; the costs just keep adding up and continuing until after the child has graduated from the academic world. Here is a list of ways for you to cut down on the cost of constantly buying new backpacks every year.

1) Go ahead and purchase a quality bag. Although they are certainly more expensive, the investment is usually worth it. It will save you from always buying a new pack and the hassle of finding a new one that your child will like every year. Some stores offer decent prices on quality backpacks (such as the Jansport brand). I was able to find my current backpack on sale for twenty-five dollars (fifty percent off) at a Bed, Bath, and Beyond store and have had this backpack for about eight years; it continues to perform excellently, with only a minor problem with the zipper on the smallest pocket.

2) Avoid wearing the backpack only over one shoulder. While some children may argue that it is easier to just fling the pack onto one shoulder (and perhaps more "fashionable"), the truth remains that this wears down that one side of the backpack much quicker than regular use would. It puts an unplanned amount of strain on just that one shoulder strap, causing it to tear away from the main backpack much faster than it should. Besides all of this, it is simply healthier for your back and shoulders to evenly distribute the weight of your burden of books.

3) If possible, keep all of your heavier items (such as books as opposed to pencil bags) in the largest pocket of the backpack that will be secured closest to your back. This way, there will be a minimum amount of strain put on the backpack straps, which are generally the first thing to fall apart on a backpack.

4) Don't wear the backpack on your back extremely loosely. Although it may be more fashionable, this method also puts an undue amount of strain on the backpack straps, causing them to tear more easily. Also, it is best for both your back and shoulders if you wear the backpack closer to your back (as opposed to nearer to your bottom region).