8 tricks for saving on school supplies
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Stock up for later in the year to save money on school supplies.
Back-to-school shopping can be costly for any family. Even if you're not shopping on a budget, it's a bonus to save hard-earned dollars. Last year, I bought both of my daughters' school supplies for the entire year for under $15. With smart planning and a few tips, back-to-school supplies can be cost-effective.
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Get your child's list. Make a copy of your child's supply list and keep it with you when you shop. If an item on his or her list is going at a great price, buy it and mark it off your list. Often, school supply lists ask for specific brand names. They do this so you can have a mental picture of the type of item they want. Don't get caught buying the brand name. The off-brand eraser is much less expensive and equally as good a product.
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What's left over from the previous year? Check supplies that came home from last year and see what's salvageable. It's one less thing to have to spend time looking for and buying this year.
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Watch your Sunday ads. As back-to-school time begins, so do the sales. While you're watching the ads for school supplies, look for those Sunday coupon inserts. Last year, with coupons, I got packages of pens for free. Back-to-school savings are found at your grocery stores, too. Pair your Sunday coupons with in-store sales for savings on back-to-school snacks.
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Shop more than one store. Stay away from one-stop shops. They are appealing with bulk items and bins of supplies all in one convenient spot, but they aren't cost-effective. Don't be lured into one store by its great marketing and buy everything there. You get better prices when you shop more than one store. Buy only what the advertised great buy is and leave. Shop different stores over a few weeks, plan and buy as you find great prices.
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Keep your receipts with you. If you go into a store and find a purchased item on sale for less, price adjust.
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Don't be afraid of rebates. Often, the office stores run rebates, making items free. It's another way to save.
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Stock up for later in the year. Children run out of supplies during the year. When you get the items at a great price now, buy extra. Store them away in your school supply bin for when they're needed. During the year, school items are full price. It will save you the time and money of buying later.
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Stock up on clothes for the following year. Look for end-of-summer clearances to begin. Use these sales for your next year's summer and back-to-school wardrobe. Buy clothes a size up. Basics like khakis and T-shirts never go out of style. Store them away so you don't have to buy them at full price later.
Back-to-school shopping can take a chunk out of your hard-earned dollars if you let it. With a little planning and savvy shopping, it can be realistic for your family.
Great tips and article from twinsandtriplets com editor
By Debbie Munden on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Composition notebooks go very fast. Stock up so they have them throughout the year. Know that not everyone contributes. Make sure your child has the essentials. Teach them organizational skills early on. Reward your child for being organized. Verbally tell them how proud you are of how their plan your work, work your plan approach to organization. It is cheaper to buy school supplies when school gets out. Everything is marked up before school starts. You know you will need glue, paper, folders watch fliers for when they go on sale. Back Packs as well. Here's a tip about locker locks...... they are expensive. I have four kids including twins. They play sports as well so that is 2 locks per child. I have a decorated small box for index cards. I remove the paper with the combination and tape it to the index card. I write the serial number, color of the lock, shape on the index card. On the back I write which child has the lock, year, and what it is used for (football etc.,) If it is for his books I put "regular". We have used the same locks and rotated them for the past 4 years. I believe that to be a savings of over $300. by not having to buy eight locks each year. Or have locks we don't remember the combination for. On the first day, my son writes his combination on sports tape and puts it on the inside of his shoe. Once he's got his combo remembered he pulls the tape and tosses it. If he doesn't have the right shoes and calls me? I just pull out my index file and there it is. I recommend the nice ceramic colorful locks. Don't use the letters because other kids can see the word and get into your childs locker. Especially now with camera phones. For organizing left over school supplies there is a great product called Pantry Pouch or For Wii Mote Store It. Awarded Moms Best Award for durability, innovation, and organizational feature. You attach a velcro strip to any wall or behind door and the product attaches. It has custom reinforced sewing stronger than over the door shoe organizers. Great for supplies, dorms, and just about anything. Great for organizing scrap book materials while kids are back in school.