How to Reduce the Cost of School Supplies

Back to school time can be a big financial drain on the family's budget. The list of supplies that kids need to seems to grow with each passing year. However, shopping for school supplies does not have to break the bank if you give it a little thought and effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Keep your eye open at garage sales. While you will probably not be lucky enough to get all of your child's school supplies from a garage sale. It is possible to find a back pack or a box of crayons.
2. Check your local dollar stores. Buying school supplies such as paper and pencils at a dollar store is a great way to keep the cost down.
3. Collect those free pens and pencils. Many businesses give away pens and pencils; and sometimes even rulers and erasers, with their company logo on them. Take them with a smile and save them in your school supply stash.
4. Go through your child's back pack at the end of the school year. You will be surprised how many things they didn't use that you can save for the following year.
5. Price compare. It is never a good idea to buy all of your school supplies at the same store if you are trying to keep the cost down. Go to different stores and buy only the items that are lowest priced in each store.
6. Stock up when on sale. If you find a great deal on a school supply item that you know your child will need every year, buy enough to last them for several years. Tuck them away in a safe place and you will have them when it is time to buy school supplies next year.
7. Get together with other parents and buy in bulk. Wholesale clubs sometimes have great deals on school supplies if you are willing to buy in bulk. Talk to your children's friend's parents chances are good they would like to combine efforts to keep their costs down.

Tips & Warnings

• Look around your house for pens, pencils, crayons and other items on the school supply list before heading to the store.