Even though many of
us are still enjoying summer vacations, parents and kids are already thinking
about starting school, and your local retail stores are getting ready for the
back-to-school shopping season. But the economy has been tough this summer and
back-to-school shopping will likely be a more expensive undertaking than in
years past.
The following are
some tips to help you save money on those back-to-school necessities.
Recycle Last Year’s Supplies. Inventory your
current stock of school supplies from last year, and make a list of those
items you still need to purchase. This will give you time to monitor
the various store circulars and sale flyers for the best school supply
deals in town. Just remember to try and purchase as much as possible
in a single trip so you don’t waste gas going to multiple locations.
Make
sure to follow the supply list provided by teachers. Most teachers provide students with a
list of supplies they will need for their courses – specifically the
appropriate types of notebooks and folders. Use this list as a shopping guide so you
don’t purchase unnecessary items and have to make a second trip to the
store.
Avoid purchasing your supplies
from office supply retailers. While office supply retailers offer
flashy, high end school supplies, you can find the same quality items for
much less at discount retailers like The Dollar Store, Big Lots and Walmart.
Take advantage of online sales. Don’t
forget about Bargainist, eBay and Craigslist when it comes to school supply shopping – especially for
more expensive items like backpacks and electronic items like calculators.
You can find great, unexpected deals from online vendors that will help
you save money and time from cruising your local stores.
Buy in bulk for multiple students. You can
save big bucks shopping in bulk if you have one or more students to
prepare for the new school year! Try a wholesale club like Costco.
Individual packaged supplies can cost two to three times more at a regular
store than when you purchase them in bulk. If your child doesn’t
have siblings, split the cost of bulk items with friends who are also
headed back to school. Don’t forget basic supplies like pens,
pencils, folders, binders and notebooks will last the entire school year!
Make your purchases early! Take advantage
of clearance sales and coupons as soon as you see them advertised! Some
stores stop back-to-school sales within a week or two of kids starting
school. By buying just enough for those weeks early on, you can stock up
on supplies for the rest of the year at half off (or even more) those
already-discounted back-to-school prices.
Skip the logos. Many schools now sell supplies, materials and
clothing with the school logo.
These items are usually pretty pricy. If your child wants to show their school
spirit, pick out products in school colors from a discount retailer to
save on cash.
Pack a lunch. The average
cost of a student’s lunch can range from $2.90-$3.25. That’s not including
the snacks that students are tempted to purchase – smoothies, nachos and
pizza (that can raise the cost to $5). With some smart planning, you can pack
your child’s lunch for less money, and it will be more nutritious than the
items offered at the school cafeteria.
Back
to School Clothes. Students in
most climates are still able to wear their summer wardrobe as they head
back to school, so avoid purchasing the full-price, fall clothing items
that start appearing on racks in July. You may want to invest in a sweater
or light jacket that can be layered with summer capris and pants as the
weather cools. If you must purchase
a few back to school clothing items, start your shopping trip at an
off-price retailer like Steinmart or TJ Maxx, where you can find in style,
on-trend clothing already discounted 20-60% off retail price. Later in the season you can take
advantage of sales on those heavier fall clothing items you see at the
mall!
For more tips and information from/about Clarky Davis, The Debt Diva, visit www.thedebtdiva.com.
