Back to School Time means lots of shopping for most families, there are new clothes to buy, new shoes, new school supplies and more! Those expenses can really add up and throw your budget off if you aren’t careful, so I have put together a list of 7 Smart Ways to Save for Back to School.
7 Smart Ways to Save on Back to School
1. Make a Back to School Shopping List
Combine all your kids lists into one shopping list to help you stay focused, organized and prevent over buying.
Our Stockpile Price List is also a worksheet, it lets you make one single list of all the items you need for all of your kids, then you can check off each item as you grab it! This means you can grab deals as you find them and you’ll always know what you have and what you still need to buy. Shopping from a list keeps you accountable and helps prevent overbuying and also last minute shopping. Download the FREE School Supply Price List Here.
2. Watch for penny sales
Many stores offer penny sales during the back to school season where certain items are offered for just a penny. Keep your eyes peeled for these sales so you can take advantage of them.
3. Buy in bulk
Partner up with another family or two and buy your supplies in bulk from a local warehouse store or order in bulk online. This is a great way to stretch your money while getting all of the supplies you may need.
4. Start Shopping Early
Prices are at their lowest during the start of the back to school season when retailers are trying to motivate you to shop, you will also find the best selection the earlier you shop.
5. Look for secondhand items
Some supplies might be cheaper to buy secondhand. This could be the case with some types of scientific calculators, computer supplies, and even school uniforms. Consider thrift stores or Craigslist for these items to see if you can find a deal.
6. Don’t shop with the kids
Taking the kids school supply shopping can be expensive. They will see colorful folders and erasers that are twice the cost of plain ones. They will also see items they don’t need. Instead, shop from the list alone and get the job done for less.
7. Price match and make one trip
Don’t run from store to store. Instead, choose a store that offers price matching and shop there. Just bring your ads so you can get the sale prices on the items you are interested in.
You can also check out all of our Back to School Hacks for saving big on Back to School Shopping!