Ways to save money on school supplies is probably on every parent’s mind right before school starts. It seems like the school supply lists grow longer and longer each year. This can be tough to afford if you have multiple children to buy for. It’s never too early to think about how to save money on school supplies. Here are some ways to get you started.
Genius Ways to Save Money on School Supplies
Shop Sales
While shopping sales may be an obvious tip, it really does pay to purchase when school supplies are discounted. I’ve seen packs of paper as low as ten cents and other items for less than a dollar during school supply sales. Don’t forget to look for coupons on things like hand sanitizer and boxes of tissue.
Buy Extra at Sales
Sales on school supplies are also the perfect time to load up on these items! Chances are by the time your child returns to school after the holidays, they will need more paper, pencils, and other items. Buying them while they are cheap now saves you money and you have that extra on hand. If you don’t use it this year, save them for the next school year.
Beware The Dollar Stores
It might seem tempting to go and buy all of your school supplies at dollar stores but look around at other stores’ sales before you spend. Like I mentioned above, paying a dollar for a pack of notebook paper versus ten cents just doesn’t make for a good deal at all! Make sure you aren’t actually spending MORE money by purchasing your school supplies at a dollar store.
Check the Office Supply Stores
Office supply stores often have wonderful discounts on school supplies and you might not even think to shop there. This is another place to keep in mind when comparing prices.
Split With Friends
Items are often cheaper when bought in bulk. If you run across a great deal on an item that is sold in bulk, consider going in with another parent and splitting the cost. Teachers don’t care if pencils are sent in a sealed package. They are just happy to get the supplies they need to keep their classroom running smoothly for your child.
Shop Off-Season
There are just some items your children will always need in school, like paper, pencils, and glue. The next time you go shopping, just add in one item each trip. Your supply will build up and save you money in the long run.
Check for School Supply Distributions
Often times I run across different organizations in our town holding free school supply giveaways as part of a ministry or charitable giving project. They just happily hand out supplies to anyone who stops by their table or event.
As a parent, I know it’s tough to make that August paycheck stretch to include so many additional school supply purchases. I hope some of these tips will help you save money on school supplies this year.
There’s this one time I shopped for my kid’s school supplies off and damn was it a good deal saved a lot, nice tips. Thanks for sharing.