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Save Serious Cash on School Supplies
It’s almost time to head back to school, and that means it’s time to stock up on school supplies. Whether you love the smell of a brand new notebook or not (I mean who doesn’t?) the endless lists of items your child needs can quickly rack up quite the bill and a huge headache for any parent trying to save money during this expensive time of year. The good news? There are several ways you can save money on school supplies. Check out these quick and simple hacks:
Shop your closets, bags, and backpacks
When you get your child’s school supply list, the best place to start shopping is at home. Many households with students already have some school supplies tucked away in closets, bags, and backpacks. Before you hit the store, see what items are still in good shape from last year, and double check to see if there is a stash of unused black pens hiding in the bottom of a desk drawer. Starting at home can save you a lot of time and money when on the hunt for school supplies.
Borrow or purchase second hand
If your child needs specialty equipment this year (think TI calculator, compass, goggles, etc.) it’s worth asking around to see if any other families are willing to let you borrow or purchase these items second hand. Many students use special supplies for one or two years and then they begin to collect dust. Don’t know any families that might have items in your area? Check out Craigslist or Facebook marketplace for second hand steals.
Start earlier
Start scoping out the prices of supplies that you need as early as possible. This will give you a good sense of when prices are lower than normal so that you can take advantage of the best deals. Waiting until the last minute often means that you’re forced to pay whatever the store is asking because you’re on a time crunch.
Use a coupon application
If you’re shopping online, a coupon application can help you make sure you’re getting the best price possible. Try apps like Honey or Rakuten that will automatically find coupons to save you money before check out. If shopping in store, make sure to use your discount card or app (like target circle).
Buy quality over quantity
Buying quality may cost more now, but can save you money and TIME in the long run! Though quality items can cost more, they often last longer, meaning less repeat trips to the store and less items bought overall.
Some items we’ve found are best bought with quality in mind:
Binders
Pencils
Pens
Crayons
Folders
Highlighters
Buy extra at low prices
Happen to find a great deal? Go ahead and snag extra! If your child will be in school for many more years, your stash of school supplies will be put to good use. If you want to go the extra money saving mile, you can form a co-op with friends or family members who are dedicated to finding great deals. Whenever someone finds a price that can’t be passed up, they make sure to tell the others!
Help your child learn organization techniques
Keeping an organized backpack, binder, and desk can keep school supplies from disappearing or getting destroyed and needing to be replaced. Helping your child get set with the right tools to stay organized and teaching them how to use them can save you lots of money. Check out this blog post for tips on helping your child keep their binder (or backpack) organized this school year.
Do you have any tips for saving big on school supplies? Let us know below!
Happy Shopping!
Hoffman Tutoring Group
