Save Money on Back-to-School Supplies
Buying school supplies in a frenzy the night before school starts seems to be a reality for many parents, and so is spending a fortune on them. This doesn’t have to be the way it is for your frugal family, however. Plan ahead and shop wisely and your child could start school with a backpack brimming with school supplies for much less than the child sitting next to him.
* Reuse last year’s items. Whether an item belonged to an older child or to your one and only – if it still works and is in good condition, there is no reason to replace it. Items like calculators, rulers, pencil boxes and sometimes even backpacks are good for more than one year. Use up pencils and pens before replacing. Make this into a “green” game about “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” if you need to get a reluctant child onboard.
* Shop sales. About mid-way through the summer, just as kids are beginning to relax and parents are beginning to wonder how many more days till school, most of the stores start seriously stocking school supplies. Start watching the sale ads around that time, because chances are they will be putting these items on sale to get the attention of those who plan ahead.
It’s completely normal to be able to purchase a box of crayons on sale for 15 cents that normally would run you over a dollar. If you purchase only what is on sale that week, and save the rest for another day, you could probably end up with all name-brand products for pennies on the dollar.
* Shop clearance early in the year. Some items, like backpacks, don’t often get put on a very good sale before school starts. However, if you shop for next year’s backpack in January or February, your chances of finding it on clearance are pretty good.
* Shop second hand. Always be on the lookout for good used items, such as backpacks, lunch boxes, rulers and calculators. Flea markets and garage sales could be a gold-mine of back-to-school bargains.
* Purchase in bulk. When you do find those necessities on sale, purchase them in quantity if possible. This will cover the need for replenishing mid-way through the school year when prices are at their highest and supplies are low.
* Buy generic. The store-brand crayons and pencils are usually just as good as the brands we all know and love at a fraction of the cost. Consider buying the cheapest version.
A frugal school year can be achieved with little effort if you plan ahead, know what you need and shop wisely. Involve your children in the effort and encourage them to earn some extra spending money if they want items that are not necessary or are above and beyond the bargains. Not only will your back-to-school budget stay on track, but your children will learn valuable financial lessons in the process.
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