How to Save Money With Teacher Discounts

Teachers spend a lot of their own money on educational supplies. Many businesses offer discounts to help. All you have to do is ask.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. GATHER DOCUMENTS You will need to prove that you are an active teacher. If your school gives you a teacher ID, this will be enough for teacher discounts. If you do not have a teacher ID, you can use your check stub. You only have to show this once a year to get a discount card. After that, just keep the discount card in your wallet. If you want to avoid sales tax, you will need a tax exempt form with the school's tax ID number. You will have to get this from the school secretary or principal.

2. BOOKSTORES Most major bookstores will give you a teacher discount card good for one year. You need to show your ID or check stub. Save 20% at both Borders and Barnes and Noble. Half Price Books offer 10% off.

3. CRAFT STORES Joann's Fabrics offers 15% off total purchase and sends regular coupons for 40% off one regular priced item. Michael's only offers no sales tax with tax exempt paperwork.

4. HARDWARE STORES Home Depot and Lowes offer no sales tax with tax exempt paperwork. Lowes also has free services such as cutting wood and pipe. This is especially handy when making things with PVC pipe such as whisper phones and puppet theaters.

5. OFFICE STORES Office Max, Office Dept, and Staples offer special cards for teachers. Swipe the card every time you buy and earn a percentage back. You get a card with the cash back once a quarter.

6. SPECIAL EVENTS Sign up at stores to receive emails of special "Educator Days". These happen a few times a year and give you even more savings. Bookstores might offer 25% off, Big Lots offers 10% before the school year starts, and there are other perks such as free coffee and donuts or bags of classroom supplies.

Resources

• Lesson Plan Writing
• Teach Dyslexics

[teachersrule]

on 8/5/2009 Many retailers are loosening their restrictions. See this directory of retailers who offer online teacher discounts: http://www.myeducationdiscount.com

[KobieWilliams]

on 1/17/2009 Bookstores will give you a teacher discount even on books you would never use in class. I've used it to buy thick computer books.