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As the summer break comes to an end, it’s that time of the year when parents and students gear up for “Back-to-School” shopping. Whether your child is starting Pre-school or heading off to college, you will need to gather school supplies. Let’s face it, not only will the time quickly slip away, but the cost can also easily add up. There is always excitement of a new academic year, however, it shouldn’t be overshadowed by the fear of draining your bank account. As a single Mom of 4 children, budget planning was always a necessity. With some savvy strategies and thoughtful planning, you can make this annual shopping adventure more budget friendly. Here are a few smart tips to save money on your “Back-to-School” supplies.
Take inventory of the items you already have.
Gather and collect any school items that you have not used. You may be surprised at what you have left from prior years or that you already have around your home. Check in desks, junk drawers, last year’s backpacks etc. Once you have gathered these items, it helps to have a storage bin dedicated to storing the items you gather and purchase throughout the year. This way when Junior runs out of glue at 8:00pm on a Tuesday night (and he/she will), you may already have some and know exactly where it is.
Bonus: Have your children gather supplies and create an inventory list of what supplies you already have.
Make a List/Get your Schools List
Once you have inventoried what you already have you can start creating a list of what you need. Check with your child’s school to see if they supply you with a School Supply List, often it will be posted on your school’s web-site or come in the mail with a welcome letter. BONUS: A few of the larger chain stores will have copies of your schools list at the store (usually for the local public schools in their area). Please Note: In my experience, the Pre-school and elementary schools will provide you with standard lists prior to school starting. However please keep in mind that the higher grades, middle, high school and college may not completely know their needs until they actually attend class. Since each class is taught by a different teacher, each teacher usually hands out a syllabus including supplies needed. You may want to only purchase basic items prior to school starting for the higher grades.
Consider whether to bring your child shopping with you.
Every child is different, so determine whether it is beneficial to have your child with you when purchasing “Back-to-School” supplies. Many children, if not most, do not care to go to the store with you and will be fine with you doing it for them. Others may benefit from the learning experience available to find, gather and cross off the items on the list. Remember that when on a budget, it may be hard to pick up the blue 2-pocket folder, when the much more expensive glittery Princess folder is right next to it.
Take Advantage of Sales, Coupons and Loyalty Programs
Back-to-school sales are a great opportunity to save money on school supplies. Keep an eye out for advertisements, coupons and flyers from your local stores, product companies or the larger chains. Most stores have a website that will show their weekly circulars. Consider signing up for loyalty programs which will offer bonuses or discounts. Many stores will supply their loyalty program through an App, which makes it even easier to track bargains. Many retailers offer discounts on items like backpacks, stationery, and electronics during their “Back-to-School” period. Don’t forget your grocery stores, which may have an office or school supply section and often they will have sales on these items also. Additionally, collect and use coupons to maximize your savings.
Shop Online
Online shopping can be a lifesaver when trying to save money. E-commerce platforms often provide competitive prices, exclusive deals, and the convenience of comparing prices from multiple vendors. Moreover, some online retailers may offer free shipping or discounts, especially on bulk purchases, making it an attractive option for back-to-school shopping. Most large-scale retailers offer on-line shopping. Amazon is a go-to favorite in our house and it is popular amongst most shoppers and why not, you can shop at your convenience and have the items sent directly to your door within a few days.
Take one hassle out of back to school shopping with a School Supply Box on Amazon filled with everything your elementary student needs. This supply kit contains (1) plastic pencil box, (1) 10pk of Crayola Markers, (1) 24pk of Crayola Crayons, (1) 12pk of colored pencils, and (3) Elmer’s glue sticks.
Additionally, the box contains (10) #2 pencils, (5) pencil top erasers, (1) rubber eraser, (1) pencil sharpener, (1) pair of blunt tip scissors, (2) pencil grips, (1) standard 12 inch ruler, (1) wide-rule spiral notebook, (1) wide ruled composition book, and (2) 2-pocket folder with metal prongs.
Buy in Bulk
Purchasing items in bulk can lead to significant savings, especially for frequently used supplies like notebooks, pens, and glue sticks. When you purchase items in bulk, you usually get a lower cost-per-item in the long run. Utilize your school supply storage bin to organize and store any bulk items purchased. Consider teaming up with other parents or talk to your child’s school to see if there are opportunities for group buying, which can lead to even better discounts.
Dollar Stores or Sections
Do not forget to check your Dollar deal stores for common items such as pencils, pens, erasers etc. Also, may larger chains now have special Dollar shopping sections or areas where you can shop as well. They change these items often so always take a quick walk through to see if any items you need are available.
Wait for Tax-Free Weekends
In certain regions or states, tax-free weekends are offered during the back-to-school shopping season. This means you can purchase eligible items without paying sales tax. This can lead to considerable savings, especially for the larger ticket items such as electronics. Check if your area participates in such events and plan your shopping accordingly. If you can combine a discount price with a tax free week-end, your savings could be significant.
Utilize Student Discounts
If you have a college-bound student, they might be eligible for student discounts on various products and services. Many retailers, software companies, and entertainment venues offer special pricing for students, so always ask if there’s a student discount available before making a purchase.
School and Business Partnerships
Ask your child’s school if they partner with any local businesses. Many companies will donate to your child’s school when items are purchased from their store. You may need to choose or select your school of choice prior to purchase. This may be easily done with a store’s loyalty program or App. Check to see your store’s policy. This is a win-win for all involved.
Bonus: Check with your local grocery store to see if they connect and donate a percentage of sales to your school. As you purchase school lunch items throughout the year ,you could also be donating to your child’s school.
Check out our article Packing School Lunches Made Easy
Choose Frugal over Cheap
A budgeted income will force you to be frugal. However, there is a huge difference between being frugal and being cheap. Being frugal is being smart! Know when and where it is okay to spend a little more, this is considered smart. Buying a more expensive backpack that will last many years is frugal. Buying the cheapest backpack that will break as soon as your child uses it, only because it has the coolest character on it is cheap. You will end up replacing it often or duck taping the strap, costing you more in the long run. Buying your child, a well-made backpack is frugal and very smart. Buying one to match different outfits is not!
Identify Wants over Needs
Try to reduce your purchases cost by identifying the difference between wants and needs. Most children will be tempted by the marketing madness designed to tug at their impulses. It’s natural for students to want some of the bells and whistles, and excitement about their purchases can enhance motivation and enjoyment for school. Therefor consider purchasing only one or two of the impulse items and keep the rest practical and cost effective. It is important to be selective and strike a balance between fulfilling these desires and making practical, responsible choices.
By following these money-saving tips, you can make your back-to-school shopping a more enjoyable experience and help save some money along the way.
