by Dian 2 Comments

11 Money Saving Back To School Shopping Tips!

Well it’s that time of year again!  School Supply shopping can be expensive with just one kid, but when you have multiple it can be as expensive as Christmas!  They want the latest clothes and the coolest notebooks with their favorite characters or cutesy stuff on them.  Just trying to afford what they want, let alone finding what they all want, while filling a shopping list that the teacher gave you is exhausting!

There are ways to get around some of those obstacles.  Here are 11 Money Saving Back To School Shopping Tips!

Raid Your Own House:

The first place to start is at home.  Many of the supplies needed are office supplies and we normally have those already.  So, send the kids looking for all of their old leftover supplies, and any that you have around the house.  Then you can make a list and know exactly what you’ll need.

Stock up:

As couponers we know how to stock up when the price is at it’s very lowest.  If you wait until it’s “time” to buy your school supplies, they will most likely be at their highest price.  So, shop all year for the best deals and stock up to cut down on what you’ll need at the beginning of the school year.  Plus, you’ll have plenty to last throughout the school year as well.

Use Coupons:

Ok, you really didn’t think on a site that spent 10 years teaching couponing I wouldn’t mention this one, right?  Remember to wait for that rock bottom price on those school supply items and then grab your coupons and stock up!

Shop For Rewards:

Of all of the Back To School Shopping Tips, this one is good for Back To School shopping as well as the holidays!  Shop at places that offer rewards and then save them up!  Save your Extra Care Bucks from CVS (at my stores they never expire, check with your store), Register Rewards at Walgreens, and Cartwheel at Target!  With the drug store rewards, learn how to roll them to keep them current and even get higher rewards!  You can also buy reduced priced gift cards from places like Card Cash, Raise, and even eBay, where people sell their unwanted gift cards and you can buy them for less than what they are worth!

Bide Your Time On The Popular Items:

The kids want all the best fun and cute stuff they see and they think their friends will have.  But, after that first couple of days of school, that may all change.  Then they will be begging for something else.  Also, waiting allows you to wait for the school supplies to go on sale.  After school starts is when they drop the prices on what’s left, so bide your time to get the best deal.

Watch For End Of Summer Clearance Sales:

This is one of the Back To School Shopping Tips that should be at the forefront of your mind every summer. Most stores have end of summer clearance sales, there are quite a few things that kids can wear year round, so check out those sales and snatch up what they can use even into the winter.

Keep An Eye Out Online:

There are great online sales that beat in store sales, too.  Check out places like Schoola, the clothes are gently worn, are a lot less expensive, and the proceeds go to help schools!  They give 40% back to the school of your choice.  They often have free shipping and they give you $10 when you sign up and $10 for each person you refer (after they sign up and make their first purchase).  You can even donate clothes, too!

Tax Free Holiday Shopping:

Another one of the most important Back To School Shopping Tips is to always make sure you know when your tax free holiday is and budget to have money ready for that date.  Many stores have great sales to coincide with this holiday making even sweeter buys!