Are you looking for some simple ways to shop for back-to-school on a budget? Here are 14 ways to save money on back-to-school shopping to make starting this school year less stressful for everyone.
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Back-to-school time can be bittersweet. You’re sad to see the lazy days of summer come to an end but getting everyone back on a routine makes life less stressful. While the organizer in me doesn’t mind shopping for school supplies, what I don’t enjoy is the hefty price tag that comes with back-to-school shopping.
If you are someone who is trying to save money, then back-to-school shopping can quickly derail your budget if you are not prepared ahead of time. To keep costs down here are some smart ways you can save money when shopping for back-to-school supplies.
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14 Ways to Save on Back to School Shopping
1. Set a budget
Setting a budget is crucial when school shopping because things can quickly add up if you let them. Sit down before you go shopping and decide how much you want to spend and try to stay within that range.
Make sure that you talk with your kids about how much you can spend to help avoid impulse purchases. It’s also a great opportunity to start teaching them the importance of having a budget.
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2. Plan ahead/ Make a list
Get your child’s supply list of the items they will need for the new school year. Many times teachers will send it home on the last day of school. If not then you can usually get it at Walmart, Target, or an office supply store. Once I have the list, I will usually rewrite it with things to get now and things we can wait to buy after the first day of school.
3. Buy the essentials early-wait for the rest
Shop early for essentials such as notebooks, crayons, pencils, and pens to get the best selection and best prices.
However, it may be smarter to wait until after school has started to get non-essential items. Many back-to-school items will be marked down as retailers will want to get rid of inventory as they get ready for the next season.
Another reason to hold off on certain purchases is that teachers may want different or additional items. When my son entered high school, they sent home a suggested letter of supplies for each of his classes. At the time, I decided to purchase everything that was suggested on the list only to find out that he didn’t end up using many of the items that we bought.
Now, we only buy items I know will be needed and wait for an exact list from the teachers after school has begun.
4. Shop loss-leaders
Loss-leaders are items that stores are willing to lose money on with the hope that you will purchase additional items within the store instead of shopping around.
To find the lowest prices always check the front and back pages of the sale ads. This is where the best deals are located.
5. Compare prices
Don’t shop for school supplies in one place. Along, with shopping sales, make sure you are comparing prices at different stores to save the most money.
6. Shop clearance racks
Whenever you want to save money whether it’s during back-to-school time or anytime, check clearance racks.
Recently, my son found a pair of pants that he loved at a popular retailer but at full price so we decided to pass. As we were leaving, we spotted the clearance and found what looked like the exact same pants (probably from last season) for only $5. We saved $35.00 just by checking out the clearance rack.
7. Shop Dollar Stores
The Dollar Tree has many name-brand back-to-school products such as Bic, Sharpie, and more. You can also purchase basic supplies like pencil pouches, binders, loose-leaf paper, and scissors.
It’s also a great place to purchase desk calendars and planners for school so older kids can keep track of homework assignments.
Don’t forget that Dollar Tree accepts manufacturer’s coupons saving you even more money.
8. Stock up
Remember to stock up for later in the year as notebooks are going to get filled, folders ripped and pencils wore down. Buy the school supplies at the best prices now so you are saving money all year long.
Quick Tip: Make a homework station to store all the extra supplies. You can purchase a binder at the Dollar Store and then add inexpensive folders for each child to keep track of important papers. Put some loose-leaf paper in the back and then fill a pencil pouch with extra pens, pencils, erasers, and a sharpener. When it’s time to sit down and do homework they can grab the binder with the supplies and have everything they need.
9. Compromise
Don’t give in and buy expensive supplies. Compromise instead by letting your child decorate inexpensive supplies any way they wish.
It’s inevitable, you bring your child school shopping with you and they are probably going to beg for those licensed items that always cost the most money. Don’t give in and spend 2.00 or more on each folder when you can get them for less than .50 cents each. Make a compromise and buy them a pack of stickers from the dollar store and let their creativity run wild.
10. Reuse from last year
Check clothes and supplies like backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators, rulers, scissors, and colored pencils to see if any of the items can be used for one more year.
If your child is younger, you can make a game out of it and have them go on a scavenger hunt around the house looking for supplies.
11. Shop frequently
Back-to-school sales are going to run all summer so make sure you are checking ads frequently to get the best price.
You can also download the Flipp app which displays all sale ads in your area.
12. Buy in bulk
If you have more than one child it will definitely save you money to buy in bulk. I have purchased big packs of pens, pencils, paper, and even socks to divide up rather than paying for smaller packages for each child.
13. Subscribe/Follow your favorite stores
This time of year, I like to make sure I am following my favorite stores on Facebook and subscribing to their emails so I know when they are having their back-to-school sales.
Many times they will send you coupons for just signing up.
14. Get cash back
Lastly, you know that you are going to have to shop so you might as well get cash back on your purchases to save even more money. You can shop through Rakuten (formerly Ebates) to get money back from all the places you shop anyway.
You can get $10 back if you sign up here.
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As you can see, back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be so expensive and stressful. The time and planning to prepare will be worth the effort because it will save you money and your budget. You will be able to send your kids off to school knowing that you didn’t break the bank on school shopping this year.
Don’t forget to sign up for my free resource library packed full of planner goodies to organize your school year with weekly and daily planner pages to keep on top of all your activities and to-dos. Just sign up for free, print them out and add them to any binder.
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