Money Saving Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

1.   Start by asking questions.  Do you they really need all of that stuff on the list the minute the first school bell rings?  Talking to your child’s teacher before you shop might help you to determine which items are true necessities on the first day of school and which items can be purchased at a later date allowing you to spread out your spending.

2.   Make sure you know the school’s policies.  Some schools have guidelines and restrictions for various school supplies.   Last year a friend had to return her children’s chosen backpacks once she learned that the school required, for security purposes, that book bags be see-through.  Knowing what is and is not allowed will save you time and money.

3.   Look around the house.  You just might find that you have more than you thought right at your fingertips.  Last year’s notebooks may still have life in them when the old notes are removed.  There’s no need to buy a new pair of scissors for first grade when you’re daughter’s Kindergarten scissors are perfectly good.

4.   Check with friends and family.  They may have some supplies from previous years that their children no longer need.  Ask if you can buy or have that graphing calculator or gently-used backpack.  Facebook is a great way to put your plea out there to local friends.

5.   Have a fashion show.  Gather your kids to try on their clothing so that you can see what still fits and what doesn’t.  Only buy the items that absolutely need to be replaced.  You children do not need a new wardrobe at the start of every school year.

6.   Used, used, used!  With the rate at which some of our kids grow there is rarely a reason to buy new clothes.  Check consignment sales or stores, garage sales, thrift stores or have a clothing swap with friends.  Most of the time, kids grow out of their clothes before the clothes have worn out their wear.

7.   Online classifieds.  Checking sites like Craigslist or Freecycle may prove useful in finding items for back-to-school.  You never know what people will want to sell.

8.   Compare prices.  Even if you aren’t an extreme couponer, now is the time to start buying the Sunday paper and comparing sales with collecting coupons.  This time of year is the best time of year to get a good deal on back-to-school supplies.  Match up a store sale, store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons for the deepest discount on school supplies, this technique is known as “stacking”.  Many retailers, like Target, have printable coupons online and they typically allow you to use their store coupon in conjunction with a manufacturer’s coupon.  You may even get supplies for free using this method!  Be sure to check each store’s coupon policy before you shop.  Websites like Moms Need to Know can do a lot of the work for you by scanning the circulars and the coupon flyers to tell you how to match them up for the best deals.  Don’t forget about dollar stores for items that are used up quickly such as pencils, pens, erasers and paper.

9.   Stock up.  Since they are needed all year round you will rarely find clearance sales on most school supplies such as crayons, markers, paper, glue, etc. so when you see Crayola crayons for $1 a pack, you probably won’t find a better deal.  Now is the time to stock up for next year.

10.   Don’t be cheap.  While we are trying to take control of our finances , that doesn’t always mean buying the cheapest item we can find.  Buying a $10 backpack might seem to save some money but if you have to buy a new one in three months because the strap broke then you’ll end up spending more in the long run.  Look for good deals and manufacturers with excellent return policies on items that take a lot of abuse. 

11.   Think green & fair.  Again, being cheap isn’t always best.  Sometimes we need to think beyond our wallets because it’s the right thing to do.  Buying a bento box or other reusable lunch supplies (like stainless steel containers or cloth napkins) helps protect the environment and our children’s future from unnecessary trash.  Purchasing fair trade clothing or supplies often costs more but guarantees that the artisans creating those items are treated well and compensated fairly.  Sending our child to school well-equipped shouldn’t come at the expense of a child in another country who is forced into child labor.  Let’s think before we buy.

12.   Get your kids involved.  Set a budget for school supplies and take your kids with you to pick them out.  Allow them to make some choices about what is purchased.  If your daughter wants to spend a little extra money the Hello Kitty bubble-gum scented erasers then she will have to buy the plain yellow #2 pencils to compensate.  It’s a great lesson in sticking to a budget.

With a little organization and forethought you can send your kids off for another year with all they need while still having a little bit left in your checking account.  Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for our article on getting organized for back-to-school.

What is your favorite tip for saving money on back-to-school supplies?

Kim is the wife of one rockin' Worship Pastor and full-time mom to four crazy and beautiful kids. Toss in a part-time job, housework, writing, training for a foster care license and what passes for a social life these days and she’s still wondering how she fits 32 hours into a 24 hour day.