It’s the most wonderful time of the year! As summer winds down, moms and dads everywhere are looking forward to that first day of school. Don’t let your enthusiasm for the season or your kid’s need to have the latest hot gear send you off to an overpriced shopping spree. Cut back on your frustration and save a bus-full of money with these smart back-to-school savings tips.
Don’t go running off to the store just yet. Before you go, put together a master shopping list.
First, round up each kid’s school-supplied list of required items. Next, jot down all of the items that you’ll need at home for your kids to rock their homework, projects, and reports. Finally, make note of the non-schoolwork supplies you’ll need to start the school year – clothes, containers for snacks and lunches, a printer, and more.
Now get your kids in on the action. Show them the list and tell them – in advance – that you’re sticking to it. A commitment to the list before you walk out the door will keep you all on track instead of being distracted by something shiny (and unnecessary) during your shopping trip.
Start by shopping around your house. Dust off leftover, unused school supplies from last year. Grab those free pens you got from a recent conference and the logo-emblazoned ruler your company gifted you for Christmas. Dump everything into a box or spread it on the floor so you can take inventory.
Do a little research and you may be able to land free gear for your kids!
Some supplies you only need for a semester. With others, you may not be ready to commit to purchasing them just yet. In those cases, consider borrowing or renting.
Textbooks – especially for college students – can cost you hundreds each year. Check for titles at your local library, or borrow from a student who recently completed the class. Buy used or rent through your school’s bookstore or through online merchants. You may even be able to download texts for a fraction of the physical book’s cost.
Musical instruments are another great place to save money if your kid is looking to join the school band or has a year’s worth of recorder lessons ahead of him. Instead of shelling out for an instrument that your child may not love, start with a rental through your school or a music store.
To get the best deals, it pays to do a little homework before your shopping trip begins. Scour ads with a marker in hand to circle basement prices. Use a price comparison website or smartphone app to see how good a deal the sale price really is.
If you identify a killer price, start hoarding. Get enough pencils, markers, and construction paper to last you the whole year. You’ll save money with the discounted price and save time since you won’t need to restock.
Check your local papers for manufacturer’s coupons and your favorite stores’ ads for store-specific coupons that you can stack. Print coupons directly from your computer or use an app like SnipSnap to download and organize digital coupons.
Search online for promo codes and printable coupons before you complete any checkout.
When you think of back-to-school shopping, do you automatically drive to your local Walmart, Target, or office supply store? Think outside the box and land some amazing deals through other retailers.
Look for steals on Amazon or eBay. Visit your neighborhood drugstore, dollar store, warehouse store, and thrift store for a wide array of quality school supplies.
You’re not alone in your quest to gather every item on your back-to-school list for a bargain. Seek out like-minded parents and team up.
Organize a clothing swap to freshen up your child’s wardrobe for free. Share the shopping effort by combining lists with a friend and hitting half the retailers while she takes the other half. Settle up the cash once you whip through your shopping trips.
If you find an amazing deal for a huge supply of glue or pens, grab the bargain and split the package – and the cost – with a few parents in your kid’s class.
Your kids can start the school year in style without over-spending on a suite of Ninja Turtle or Disney princess supplies. If you spring for a character-bedecked item, get one staple piece and then get creative with less expensive, non-character items.
Color-code your kids’ notebooks and folder by subject (blue for math, yellow for science, etc.). Have your children personalize their notebooks, folders, and book covers by decorating with drawings, stamps, stencils, or stickers. For school bags and lunchboxes, get a few inexpensive fabric pants to create one-of-a-kind designs.
The cheap comes out expensive.
Buying a 99-cent pencil case may save you money today but not in the long run if you need to replace it next month. Determine how long you need each kid’s supplies to withstand abuse and then buy quality accordingly. Spending a little extra may even land you a limited or lifetime warranty on your gear.
If you know where to look, you can find amazing back-to-school deals on supplies that set your kid up for success! Grab your milk and cookies and toast the start of a new school year.
Megan is a lifestyle writer & B2C blogger for hire. She specializes in writing killer content on personal finance, productivity, & organizing. Find her in The Huffington Post, The Penny Hoarder, Money Saving Mom, & many print and online publications.
