14 Back To School Saving Tips
At this time of year, parents of school-aged children cannot help but think about back-to-school shopping.
For many students, buying standard school supplies, clothes, and other school stuff is exciting. However, for some parents, it can be the biggest expense they will face when it comes to their kids.
Purchasing the best school supplies, clothes, shoes, lunch boxes, backpacks, and electronics can be expensive when you add up all the costs for the school purchases. But, did you know that you can buy everything they need without breaking the bank?
Here are 14 Money-Saving Shopping Tips When Buying Back-to-School Supplies
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1. Raid For Supplies
The first step in back to school saving, before you buy anything from the back to school lists, is to start at home. Most of the items on the list of school items and school essentials are office supplies, and we often have many of them at home. Making this a great place to get free supplies.
Do a scavenger hunt with your kids and look for any old leftover supplies that you have around the house once you have everything you can find at home, make a school supply list and know exactly what you need to buy.
Some things to look for are:
2. Plan A Supply Swap
Coordinate with your friends, relatives, and neighbors and do a supply swap before you shop for back to school supplies.
You might have a few reams of loose-leaf paper you bought on sale and your friend has several boxes of pencils which can be traded for your paper.
Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors who have school-aged children and see if they are interested in any items that you have.
3. Buy in Bulk
As couponers, we know how important it is to stock up when the item’s price is at its lowest. So one of the best back to school saving tips is to remember if you wait until it is the time to buy the school supplies, you might end up buying them at their highest prices.
Don’t wait until the weekend before school starts to do your shopping! Shop all year round and get the best school deals. Buy in bulk and stock up to cut down on your expenses at the beginning of the new school year. The sooner you start shopping, the more money you can save.
4. Shop End of Summer Sales, Garage Sales, And Thrift Stores
Keep an eye on the End of Summer Sales. You can easily find backpacks, never been used shoes and clothes, and even a wide variety of school supplies for a discounted price and lower cost. Garage sales can also be a treasure trove of deals and to always get the better price for school supplies, and there are plenty of options.
5. Check The Dollar Store
You can get incredible bargains on back-to-school items at the dollar stores like Dollar Tree. You can find basic supplies like pens, notebooks, and paper, as well as classroom supplies like sanitizer and Kleenex at bargain prices.
It’s a good idea to start school supply shopping during the summer months. You never know what items the stores will order or how long these items will be in stock.
6. Use Coupons
We all know the importance of coupons, not only in our lives, but, also in our budget. Always wait for the rock-bottom prices on school supplies and grab your coupons before shopping.
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7. Save The Rewards Points
This is good not only during the Back-to-School season but the holidays as well. Shop at places where you can get rewards and save them up!
You can save your Extra Care Bucks from CVS or take photos of your receipt and deposit them in your ibotta account. Using rewards apps will not only let you save money on your shopping, you can also exchange your points to gift cards or cash.
8. Compare Prices
Shopping for school items is similar to buying your groceries. To save the most, you need to shop around.
Walmart.com is committed to providing low prices every day, on everything.* So if you find a lower price from an online retailer on an identical, in-stock product, tell us and we’ll match it.* Additionally, if you recently bought something from Walmart.com and it is now listed at a lower price, let us know.
Target also does price matching. You are not only saving yourself time, headaches, and gas — it will help you stick to your budget.
9. Shop During Your State’s Sales Tax Holiday
Many states have their own sales tax holidays where you can buy specific items without paying sales tax. During these days, you can purchase clothes, computers, tablets, and school supplies tax-free!
Find the date of your state’s sales tax holiday and check to see if online shopping is included, because that makes it even easier – no fighting the crowds. Many states have a sales tax holiday during the first week of August while there are others who celebrate it in July.
10. Hold Off On New Clothing
All the kids want the newest trends for the first days of school. Although a lot of stores and retailers put their clothing on sale during back-to-school season, it is not the best time to buy a new wardrobe for your child or maybe you can buy one or two back to school outfits to get them started.
Just know that prices go down in September, after the back to school rush is over.
You might want to buy a couple of new items before the first school day comes. But waiting to spend the rest of the back-to-school clothes budget in September and October, when the prices will be much lower, is better and a great way to save.
11. Invest in Quality
When comparing school supplies, quality supplies are more expensive, but, you also have to consider if they last longer and hold up better, for example Rose Art Markers are not great quality when compared to Crayola. Elmer’s and Crayola are time-tested brands that last longer than generic ones.
If you’re watching sales and when the school sales start, you can get quality school supplies at the same price or below the generic ones for the upcoming school year. Even if you add a dollar or two, it’s worth investing in quality school finds and supplies, especially if they last longer and don’t have to restock them as often.
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12. Say No
Going school supplies shopping with your child is a fun bonding experience. However, it can also add a few hundred dollars to your bill if you cave to their requests for designer jeans, a new laptop, or a new backpack.
You can save more money if you tell your kids before you leave home that you’re sticking to the items on your shopping list, and you won’t get any extras. Sitting down with your kids and sales ads ahead of time can be helpful, too.
You can work out all the kinks and eliminate the begging if you head out with a plan in mind and everyone is on the same page.
Or, you could just go school shopping on your own. Buy your kids what they might need on their first day of school and while they’re in school, you can look for the other items yourself, and usually at a discounted price if you’re shopping after school starts and the surplus at the stores are on sale. This is not only relaxing, but, you are saving a lot of money too.
13. Keep An Eye On Online Stores
There are great deals and some of the best prices that you sometimes can’t get in stores! Check online stores and apps like Thredup, and Depop, where you can purchase gently worn school outfits that are much cheaper than the higher prices of new clothes or instore prices. They even have a back-to-school section.
14. Look For The Best Deals
The easiest way for you to find the best deals available is to sign-up for our email subscription. You may also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Back To School Pinterest Board!
As you begin purchasing your children’s school supplies, I hope that these smart tips were able to save you a few hundred dollars.
Do you have other tips to add on this list?
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