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Grab Back-to-School Bargains for Less

Back to School time is right around the corner. This year, you don’t have to cringe when you think about shopping for school supplies and school clothes. Prices have gone up on everything including school clothes and school supplies, and if you are on a tight budget like so many of us, then you need to make every penny count. Let’s discover some ways to save money while shopping for school supplies.

Check Your Inventory

Before you head off in search of new clothes and other school supplies, start by taking inventory of your current clothes and supplies. You can begin by checking your child’s closet to see what still fits and what needs to be thrown out. Clothes that are still wearable and that still looks nice, can be worn this school term.

You may also discover unused school supplies tucked away in your home. Round up those pencils, pens, unused boxes of crayons, and glue. These can be used this year. And, as a result, save you money.

Create a budget

Smart shopping includes smart planning. The first thing you need to do is create a school budget. First, look at your income and expenses. Then, decide how much you can afford to spend for back-to-school. Then, ask yourself, will you spend most of the school budget on clothes or on supplies? Use the school supply list that your child’s school handed out to help you make important purchase decisions. Once the budget is created be sure to stick to it. This will help you prioritize your spending and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Thrift Stores and Consignment Shops

If you know me, then you know I love consignment shops. I’m not too proud to utilize these little-known gems. Thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to find gently-used clothes at affordable prices. Classic design and trendy styles alike are often there just waiting to be discovered. I have even discovered some items that were brand new in a consignment shop. The former owner simply didn’t have space any longer or had out-grown the item.

Shopping consignment is also a great way to help the environment. By giving these clothes a second life, you are helping to keep them out of land-fills.

Compare Prices

Don’t buy until you do a price comparison. This means checking the price of the item you are about to purchase against its price at another store. By seeing how much the item costs at each store, you are able to snag the best deal. If you don’t want to drive around from one store to another then select a store that offers price matching. This will allow you to make all of your purchases at one store.

Stock up

Buy in bulk whenever you can. It’s back-to-school time, so make the most of it. Stock up while school supplies are at an all-time low. Many retailers are offering outrageously low prices on items like pencils, pens, notebook paper, glue, and crayons. Now is the time to stock up on items that your child will need throughout the coming school year. A pack of pencils and a tablet won’t last all year. Buy enough to take you through the entire school term. It won’t even hurt to buy some for next year. And, remember, school supplies can be donated to your local church, at your child’s school, or given to your child’s teacher as a gift.

I confess. I love crayons. So, when they go on sale every year, I purchase them in bulk. I store them in a safe, cool place, and then, I have them readily available when I need them.

And, trust me, teachers don’t mind if you donate those extra supplies. There are many students who are not able to afford all of the school supplies that they need. And, your donation would be greatly appreciated.

Start Early

Remember the old saying, “The early bird always catches the worm”? This is true with school shopping. Don’t wait until August to start thinking about back-to-school. Begin setting aside a certain amount each month to go toward supplies and school clothes. By saving some all along, this will help to prevent having a big strain placed on your budget all at once.

Shop Off-Season

Have you thought about shopping for back-to-school during the off season? Many stores offer significant discounts on seasonal clothing items and products. Buying winter clothes during the summer or vice versa can lead to substantial savings. Additionally, watch out for holiday sales and other promotional events to snag even more discounts. The Christmas holiday season may be just the time to start grabbing those clothes for the upcoming school year.

Check Online

Whether you are a “online shopping fanatic” or not, you can grab some great deals on back-to-school from places like Amazon, eBay, Shein, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace. Some parents sell their children’s gently-used clothing for half of the original price.

Utilize Coupons, Promo Codes, & Loyalty Cards

Coupons are my jam! I love to save money, and one of the ways that I do that is with coupons. Before heading off to the store to shop for back-to-school, search for coupons and promo codes. Many retailers offer discounts that can significantly reduce the final cost of your purchase. You can add browser extensions and use other websites like Rakuten to find other discounts. You can sign up for Rakuten using my referral code below. This will entitle you to earn $30 immediately. Some websites even add the discounts automatically.

And, if you are a teacher, you can snag extra discounts from places like Dollar General and Costco. Be sure to read the article below from weareteachers.com to find more discounts for teachers.

Money Saving Apps

You can save money on back-to-school by using apps like Fetch & Ibotta. With these two apps, all you do is scan your receipts and earn points. These points can be used to earn discount coupons, gift cards, and other prizes. How can this work for back-to-school? Simple. Scan those receipts and earn money back.

Host a Clothing Swap

Each one reach one. Consider organizing a clothing swap with friends, family, or other parents in your community. Each person should bring clothes their children have outgrown. Then, they can exchange items with another parent who may have what they are looking for. This way, everyone gets new-to-them clothing without spending a dime. This could even be used with unused or left over school supplies.

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to break the bank. By planning ahead, setting a budget, using coupons, and utilizing money saving apps, you can outfit your children and grab some school supplies without ruining your budget.