Every year it seems like clothes and supplies for the new school year get more expensive. And with recent inflation, the average family will continue to feel the pinch this year, spending hundreds of dollars outfitting kids for back to school. From pencils, crayons and backpacks to school uniforms, instruments and laptops, it all adds up. Parents who invest time in a variety of strategies may find discounts that help lessen the financial burden of back-to-school. These tips make sending kids back to class a little easier on the wallet.
Devise a plan.
Jot down all back to school items needed. Consult the school or teacher’s supply list. Talk to other parents. Ask your kids. Make this list complete, so you don’t spin like a yo-yo back and forth to the store for forgotten items during those last carefree days of summer. Ask these questions: Is there anything you can delay buying until after school starts? What items must be brand new? What items can be borrowed or bought gently used? Once the list is complete, create a budget. Keep the list and budget with you when shop, so you stay within your limits.
Start early.
Shopping in a crowded aisle, not being able to find the item you want, or paying more because you are crunched for time are frustrating. A couple of weeks before you shop, compare prices online. Involve the kids. They can research, too. Keep track of items and prices with a spreadsheet or table. Check to see what stores will have back-to-school sales and when they will start. It may take a little time upfront, but it will save time during the back-to-school rush. And if you know the best prices for the items you need, you can buy with the confidence that you are getting the best deal.
Think outside the “Big Box.”
Instead of buying everything at Big Box stores, think about other places that may have items at a lower cost. Compare prices at teacher supply stores, eBay and Etsy. My grocery store often has lower prices on basic school supplies, and it saves time and money to quickly add supplies to my curbside pick-up order. Office supply stores, dollar stores, and thrift stores are other possibilities. Craft stores often carry school supplies, offer coupons and if you’re an educator, you may get an extra discount. For music instruments for a budding band student, try Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
Buy gently used.
Before heading out to buy everything brand new, it might be worthwhile to peruse your local thrift and consignment stores. These sell everything from shoes and clothes to backpacks and sports gear. Even better, clean out closets and sell items before school shopping. Most consignment stores will give you more if you take in-store credit instead of cash. You can then use that in-store credit to buy items on your list. Also, check your local listings for neighborhood used bookstores. Thriftbooks (check out Thriftbooks.com) is an online store that buys and sells used books.
Bulk buy with a buddy.
Coordinate with another parent who has a child in your child’s class or organize a bulk purchase with neighbors. Usually, bulk purchases are cheaper, and buying a bulk order online is more convenient than individual parents shopping on their own. Plus, you may get free shipping or at least be able to split the cost of shipping between several parents. Good items to bulk purchase are folders, binders, tissues, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer.
Swap or borrow.
Do you have a friend or a family member that has that graphing calculator your teen needs for advanced math? Can you swap kids’ clothes in good condition with another family? If you have a bookworm, trade used books online at PaperBack Swap (paperbackswap.com). Simply mail in your used books at your own cost, and receive credits that you can use toward paperbacks, hardbacks, textbooks and audiobooks. Freecycle is an online site where members don’t swap but give and receive a variety of items to each other. And of course, everything on Freecycle is free. More sites to check out: Listia, Buy Nothing Project and Rehash.
Check sales flyers after shopping.
Have you ever purchased school items early only to find out that they go on sale for a cheaper price the next week? If you take in your receipt, some stores will honor the sales price even after you purchased it at the regular price. Some stores may honor prices from seven up to 30 days after you have made the purchase. For this reason, keep all receipts in a specific drawer or clearly marked envelope.
With these smart tips, you can be on your way to a thriftier start to the school year. Try them and head back to school without breaking the bank.
Janeen Lewis is a writer, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She has been published in several parenting magazines across the country. Her favorite part of back to school is getting good deals on school supplies.
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Even More Ways to Save
Want to do all your shopping at one store? See if your store honors competitor’s prices.
If you are considering renting a band instrument, crunch the numbers for renting versus buying. I did this when my son played the saxophone and discovered I would pay three times as much if I rented.
Consider a kid’s personality when buying a backpack. If they like to change styles or characters every year, consider a less expensive backpack. If they don’t like to let go of possessions, pay more for a studier backpack that will last for several years.
Buy pencils and crayons for the entire year when they are usually at rock bottom prices.
Stick to your teacher’s list. If he or she asks for a brand name, the quality usually matters and will save money by outlasting generic items.
If your school orders back-to-school kits, price check the items to see if this works for your budget. The convenience and time saved shopping might make this your best option.
Consider adding toiletries like hair products, shaving supplies and makeup to your shopping list. You can often find steals and deals on these during back-to-school sales, making it a good time to stock up, especially for high schoolers or students leaving for college.
