After a long summer, children are typically excited about going back to school. Even parents look forward to getting back into the school routine. But what moms or dads dread is the high cost of preparing their youngsters. Inevitably, clothes don’t fit and lots of new school supplies need to be purchased. In fact, the average household planned to spend $670 on back-to-school expenses in 2014 according to the National Retail Foundation. That can put a real strain on a family’s budget.
If you’re looking for ways to save money on school supplies, here are some helpful tips you should definitely keep in mind.
Salvage stuff from last year.It may be a little dinged up and your child is probably clamoring for a new one, but does your student’s backpack have another year in it? How about their boots, pencil case, lunch box, ruler, 3-ring binders and other items? Before you shop — or even make a list — be sure to find out what can be salvaged from the previous school year.
Trade with other parents.You’re not the only one who wants to reuse some of last year’s stuff. Talk to relatives or parents at your kid’s school and see if they have items their children have outgrown or school supplies they no longer need. Clothes are especially good in this regard. And remember, trading is a two-way street. Be sure to offer your gently used back-to-school items to others.
Make a list.You salvaged everything you could from last year and swapped a few things with other parents. Chances are that you still need quite a few things. Before you grab your credit card and start shopping, make a list of your outstanding items and stick to it. Having a list helps limit impulse buys, making it one of the top ways to save money.
Set a budget.A budget is just as important as a list. Be specific too. Decide how much you’ll spend on the things you still need. Knowing how much you have to spend before you enter a store is another smart way to limit impulse buys and shop smart.
Shop during sales.Most retailers offer big Labor Day sales and back-to-school discounts. They’re all trying to attract a slice of the huge buying spree that occurs this time of year. Play along! Check out the circulars and social feeds from the retailers you like most then swoop in and get the stuff you need at a reduced price.
Use coupons.If you have favorite retailers, check their weekly circulars or online coupons for deals before you shop. If you see something that’s on your shopping list, you win! However, resist the temptation to buy something just because it seems like a good deal. That’s a sure way to blow your back-to-school budget.
Spread out purchases.OK, this isn’t a way to save money. But it will help ease the financial pain if, after you’ve done all of the above, you still need to spend a lot on school supplies. By starting your back-to-school purchases in early summer, you can spread the expenses out over two or three months. That’s especially helpful if you have a big ticket item (like a laptop or tablet) on your list.
Shop off season.If you are able to wait and you have room to store school supplies, try to shop off season. For instance, in late September or early October retailers sometimes offer steep discounts on the unsold back-to-school merchandise to make room on the shelves for the upcoming holiday season.
Buy in bulk.Bulk purchases can be a great way to save. If your family can’t use all the materials in the package, consider joining with other families and splitting up the supplies and the cost. Many merchants offer bulk pricing these days, including Quill. Check out our Bulk Center and see if there’s anything on your list.
Do you have some shopper strategies or tips of your own you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them! Post your ideas in the comments below so we can all put them to good use and save on back-to-school supplies.
Resources:
//www.familycircle.com/family-fun/money/back-to-school-shopping-savings/?page=8
//www.moneycrashers.com/back-to-school-supplies-list-tips/
//research.nrffoundation.com/Default.aspx?pg=78#.VUeAaPnF8k0