How to Save Money When Shopping for School Supplies

With a new school year comes the excitement of new teachers, new classmates and back-to-school shopping. The kids enjoy picking out their new school supplies and new attire, but the parents are feeling an overwhelming burden of annually increasing expenses. Mom and Dad, get ready for the good news: the ideas mentioned in this article may just help relieve some of that back-to-school budget worry.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A list of school supplies
• A list of other needs; shoes, clothing, back-pack, etc.
• A plan
• A budget

1. Make a school supplies list with your child. Have him/her involved in the process list-making process so that you can discuss together "wants" versus "needs" and prioritize accordingly. The list should include the list of things the school and/or teacher have given you, as well as items like backpacks and sneakers that you may also need. Try to write the list in order of priority while considering items you might already have. (ie; Those fiskar scissors from last year probably don't need to be replaced just yet. And pencil boxes really don't go out of style, so go ahead and use it again this year.)
2. Hit the stores now! While it may be tempting to wait until "tax free" weekend or the week before school starts - now is the time to buy. Tax-free weekends are best for higher priced items, but supplies get marked up during that time. You will also find the closer it is to the first day of school, the worse the sales are. Remember that the Dollar Store and the warehouse stores are fantastic options for picking up school supplies at a discounted price. If your budget will allow, don't be afraid to pick up extras of the items on your list that are on sale, as your child will need more as the year goes on.
3. If you're amidst a financial crisis as so many families are right now, consider calling your school's office and discussing your situation with them. They will be very sensitive to your needs and can often offer you support and/or information on programs that can help. Please see the resources below for links to just a couple of the many programs that help by donating school supplies to families in financial crisis.
4. Consider pre-owned items! If your child is need of a back-pack, shoes, and/or clothing for this school year, start checking out your pre-owned options. Often times you can find almost-new back-to-school items for a fraction of the cost at local consignment stores, at eBay.com, through CraigsList.org, local church consignment sales, etc. Pre-owned doesn't mean worn-out - it simply means the person who owned it first couldn't use it any more. Often there are even brand new, with tags items as the places mentioned above. So, before you break the bank investing in brand new items at full price stores - be sure to consider your thrifty options first.

Tips & Warnings

• Stay within your budget. If you're nearing the end of your budget, remember to consider your cheaper options like the Dollar Store and consigned clothing/shoes.
• Involve your child to help them learn and recognize the importance of organization and saving money.
• Check your local store ads to be sure you get in on any big sales.
• Don't be afraid to reach out to your school and community for support if you simply cannot find a way to pay for any of your child's school supplies/needs.
• Don't wait till the last minute! The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be.
• Don't by the cheapest version of the item just because it's cheaper. Often times this means spending more money overall, as the cheaper items won't go very far. If it's an off-brand you've never heard of before, be sure to look it over good to make sure it will work with your child.