Smart Ways To Save On Back To School Items

_{School is starting up for the kids and you are just looking to save some money. Let’s go over how to Stretch your back-to-school budget.}

Smart Ways To Save On Back To School

If your kids haven’t already started a new school year, chances are they will be headed back into the classroom in the next few weeks, and that means that it’s time for back-to-school shopping.

Every year we are amazed more and more at how quickly summer comes and goes and this year is no different! It happens in a blink of an eye.

With prices much higher than normal, many parents believe it’s impossible to stay within their budget and be able to buy our children everything they may need.

This year is especially important more so than in recent years due to supply and demand. Here are some smart ways that you can save on back to school! Let’s get to stretching your back-to-school budget! 

If you don’t have time to read this article, you can view my tips in this online video I did for my local news station.

Stick to the List

Most, if not all, schools publish a school supply list of what each student is expected to have for school. The list will typically include pencils, crayons, highlighters, folders, and whatever type of notebooks and binders are preferred.

They might also include classroom needs like Ziploc bags, tissues, or hand sanitizer. Buy the items that you need from the list and nothing more. 

Shop your Supply Closet First

Chances are you have a shelf in one of your closets dedicated to school supplies like crayons, pencils, and spiral-bound notebooks. We have a large desk drawer that we keep filled with our school supplies. My kids know where to look when they need an item for school.

Most of the time, we find quite a few things on the list at home. If you don’t, you should consider it. School supplies typically go on sale twice a year, right before back-to-school time and again right after Christmas.

This is a great time to stock up on things that you may need later in the year while items are priced at their lowest. 

Leave the Kids at Home

If you do need to go to the store to purchase school supplies, it can be best to leave the kiddos at home.

This way you can avoid meltdowns in the store about why they need the Disney princess pencils instead of the regular ones, or the more expensive character backpack when the plain one will do just fine. 

Buy During Sales Days

Many retailers offer back-to-school sales. Take advantage of these sales. Find out about those special days and try to shop! I often find digital coupons or mailed coupons that can be paired with these sales days.

Combining coupons with a sale gives you the advantage of saving more money.

Hold Off on the Electronics

Your students might need a new laptop or tablet for their school work, but if you can find a way to make what you have work until closer to Black Friday you might be able to find better deals and more selection.

If you can’t wait, you might also consider purchasing refurbished electronics. For many, it is not a priority to buy the latest tablet or computer model.

Most companies have these refurbished electronics. This means the company will have reviewed and inspected electronics and all tests have been approved. With renewed products, we can save a lot as well.

And let’s face it, kids can be rough with their items. Buying refurbished will kill your worries.

Check Out Consignment or Thrift Stores for Back to School Savings on Clothes

Before you rush out to the store to buy brand-new clothes and shoes for the school year ahead, check out what your local consignment and thrift stores have to offer.

Sometimes you can even find new clothes with the tags still on them for far less than what new ones would cost. It’s always worth a quick look! 

Check Online Stores For Back to School Savings

Searching around online is quicker than bouncing in and out of retail stores. Amazon and Walmart have almost, if not everything, you could need for back to school and much more!

On Amazon, you can put your child’s grade and school supplies for their current grade. They will give you a school supply kit with the best-known and most popular supplies for each grade and school.

But if you already have your child’s school list, then you are ready to shop.

Pool Your Resources

If you can pool your resources and buy commonly used school supplies with friends. You can make a list of what you need.

For example; plastic bags, antibacterial wipes, pens, markers, lunch bags, and more, and split the cost of buying in bulk with a few different families.

This way, everyone has the number of items that they need, and you all get to save a little cash. And as the saying goes, it does take a village to raise a child.

Back-to-school shopping may be a little more expensive this year. But these tips can help you to cut costs where you can.

Hopefully, you can find everything that you need within your budget. Wish you and your kids a great start to an amazing new school year! 

More Great Back To School Resources

Children’s Books for Back To School–Ease Back To School Jitters

Saving On Back To School Lunches – 5 Money Saving Tips

FREE Online Learning Websites for Kids