Looking to save money on the next back to school shopping season? Learn these simple money saving tips on how you can reduce costs and save money on back to school supplies.
Once again, it’s that time of the year when summer vacation is almost over, and the kids are going back to school. If you’re like most people, you’re trying to figure out how to save money on back-to-school shopping. You’re not alone.
Millions of households try to save money on back-to-school items every year. The truth is that back-to-school items can put a dent in your budget, especially if you have more than one kid in school.
Here are some things you can do now to save money on back-to-school supplies.
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How to Save Money on Back to School Shopping
1. See What You Already Have
If you really want to save money on school items, start shopping at home first. See what you already have in your supply closet. It may surprise you.
You may have half of what you need already, which will keep you from overbuying. You can even swap with friends and family. They may have something you need and vice versa. There is no need to buy things again that you already have.
2. Start shopping early
No one wants to even think about going back to school, but honestly, the earlier you start shopping for back-to-school items, the better—$your wallet will thank you.
Take advantage of clearance items and try to purchase school supplies when they are on sale. Most stores offer sales during different times of the year. For instance, summer clothes are already on sale because stores are starting to think about the fall.
Start shopping as early as the end of back-to-school season to get all the markdowns. This could be the best time to buy school supplies. Just think of the money you can save now rather than buying later.
Pro Tip: The Next time you go to the store, use Ibotta, a free app that helps you save money and get cash back for your purchases. If you are new to Ibotta, you can get $10 for FREE with this link. Simply download the app and use it within seven days of installing to get your reward!
3. Head to the Dollar Store
We all want the best for our kids, which means sometimes spending more money than necessary on school supplies. Want to really save money on back to school? It’s time to hit up the dollar store.
You can find some basic school supplies at the dollar store to help you stock up. You won’t regret it. The dollar store also sometimes gets in special items that you won’t ever see again. If you see something your kid can use and it’s cheap, then go for it.
4. Shop on Amazon Prime
Using Amazon Prime is a great way to save money on back-to-school items. All you have to do is search for the item you want, and you will get free shipping when you use Amazon Prime.
Trust me, this is a great way to save money on your next back-to-school shopping.
Prime is great because you can sometimes get an even better deal online than in stores. Plus, you don’t have to leave your home. It’s awesome.
Also, don’t forget about Amazon Prime Day, which is Amazon’s biggest sale, and it only happens once a year. For 2018, Amazon Prime Day will begin on July 16 at 3:00 pm ET and last through all of July 17. It will run for 36 hours only.
You can score great deals on thousands of items on Prime day and save a lot of money on school supplies!
Note: You need to be an Amazon Prime member to score the best deals on Prime Day, but don’t worry if you are not an Amazon Prime member yet. At this time, Amazon Prime is offering a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime so you can take advantage of the best Prime Day deals! To access this offer, simply click this link, and get a FREE 30-day trial of Amazon Prime!
5. Take Advantage of Tax-Free Weekends
Some states really love their citizens and will offer tax-free weekends, which is awesome! On these events, you can shop tax-free for the whole weekend.
This time is also where it’s wise to stock up on as many school supplies as you possibly can. Tax can add up quickly. Combine no-tax with sale items, and you can drastically reduce your costs on back-to-school supplies.
6. Wait until Summer Season or Back to School Season Hits
While you can easily shop early, you can always wait until the last minute. Waiting until the last minute means you have a pretty good chance of catching some great deals. All the stores will be competing for your business, so don’t be afraid to pick the one with the best deals! You can get back-to-school items dirt cheap when you buy during this season.
7. Reuse Old Folders and Notebooks
I mentioned going through your supplies to see what you have. However, you can also reuse old folders and notebooks. It’s crazy how many you can have at the end of the school year. Why not reuse them for next year? Save the landfill and reuse. You might be surprised about what you can actually use again.
8. Buy Second-Hand Clothing
This is 2018, and there is no law stating that your kids have to wear a certain type of clothing. Kids don’t wear clothing long enough for you to spend a ton of money on it. Buy second-hand clothing and save yourself some money.
Check out places like garage sales, thrift stores, or online stores like Thredup.com where you can also find second-hand clothes in great condition.
9. Set a Budget
Buying back to school items is tricky. It’s one of those things where you feel like you could just keep buying. Make a budget and a list, and stick to it.
It’s also a good idea to start saving up $10–20 a week during the year so you have plenty of money to spend on all the back-to-school supplies your kids need.
Back-to-school time can be a stressful time for families, which is why a budget can help you stay on task and on track. This isn’t a time to stress about money. Instead, have a plan of attack and stick with it!
Saving money on back-to-school items does take some thought. Sure, you could walk into any store and just buy what you need, but it does take some thought to really save money on all the supplies you need.
Just in case you aren’t sure what your kiddo needs, here is a basic back-to-school supply list:
- Shoes
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Socks
- Underwear
- Glue
- Crayons
- Markers
- Colored Pencils
- Backpack
- Pencil Box
- Calculator
It can seem like a lot, but that’s why you work hard to save money. Figuring out how to save money on back-to-school shopping can seem stressful but it doesn’t have to be like that. Start early, look for good sales, and always be on the lookout for a good deal.
What are some ways you save money on back-to-school supplies?