How to Get Free School Supplies

Back to school time can put a strain on the family budget. Typically you need to buy your children clothes when it is time to go back to school. On top of the wardrobe expense, most schools provide students with a list of supplies they need for the coming school year. If money is tight and you can't afford to buy the supplies, explore some possibilities for getting them free.

Instructions

1. Start with your school's family resource center. Most schools have a counselor available that can put you in touch with local resources for free school supplies. These programs are confidential, so your child does not need to worry about the other kids knowing he got his supplies for free.

2. Check with your church. When back to school time comes, many churches pool resources and ask for community donations for purchasing school supplies. They give the school supplies to families that can not afford to buy them.

3. Contact your local United Way or Salvation Army. If you meet their financial guidelines, they can help you get free school supplies through a program called Running Start.

4. Talk to everyone you know that works in an office. Many offices have supplies, such as three ring binders, that are thrown away after they are used once for a presentation or other business purpose. Let them know that you are on the look out for free school supplies. Most people hate to throw away products that are still usable, and are more than willing to hold them for you.

5. Collect promotional supplies given out by area businesses. In an effort to promote their business, many companies give away pens, pencils, rulers and other items with their business name or logo on them. When you see these promotional items being given away for free, take them and hold onto them for use as school supplies.

6. Watch store flyers and sales circulars for school supplies being offered free after rebate. This is quite common at the start of the school year. You need to pay for the item up front, and it costs a stamp to mail the rebate form in, but then you receive a check in the mail getting your purchase price back.