Back to School Money Saving Tips

6 Back to School Money Saving Tips that will help you save money as your kids head back to school this and every school year.

It’s almost that time of year. Summer will be over and the kids will be heading back to school before you blink. I always wish I had a few more hundred dollars this time of year. I think I actually spend more money on back to school supplies than I do for Christmas. Use these back to school money saving tips to help you save money on school supplies this season.

Back to School Money Saving Tips

Take an Inventory of What You Already Have. Search through school supplies from last year and extra things you have stored away before you head to the store. I already had some composition books, college ruled paper, colored pencils, black pens, mechanical pencils, index cards, binders, rulers, sharpies, and highlighters. These are things I don’t have to purchase now.

Purchase Good Quality Items. Buy items such as backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators, and locks that can last for several school years. Spending a little extra money at the beginning can save you money in the long run. This backpack is starting to fray a little but this is it’s 4th year of use.

Shop the Sales. Stores are very competitive when it comes to back to school shopping. Check you favorite stores facebook pages for deals, use coupons, and store apps for special promotions they might be running. If you have a lot of kids heading back to school it might be better to buy bulk packaged items and divide them up. Price compare to determine which is cheaper, buying in bulk will not always save you money.

There are great deals on clothing right now too, but don’t feel you have to buy everything at once. We buy just one new outfit for the beginning of the school year. Sometimes 2 if we find really good deals, like buy one get one free, or buy one get one 1/2 price. Then as the weather cools we buy a few more outfits. There are great clearance deals on clothing as the seasons change.

Stock Up. Since school items are on sale determine what will be needed throughout the school year and stock up now. I have a shelf that holds extra school supplies. We can shop from the shelf first and not have to run to the store for every little item. Some of the kids school supplies also need to be replenished when they head back to school after Winter break.

Don’t Buy Things You Don’t Need. I have to say I love buying school and office supplies so I have to make myself buy just what my kids need. Make a budget and stick to it. Even though that $8 pencil box is pretty awesome, a $1 one will work just as well. You can get crafty to make it unique and your own.

Get the School Supply List as Early as Possible. Check to see if your school has a supply list on line or if the teacher has mailed one out to you. Once school has started and every one has the list in hand it is a mad dash to the store to buy everything needed. Sometimes stores run out of supplies and then you are forced to purchase your supplies for a higher price from another store. If you’ve had a child in a grade previously you might be able to guess what they will need for that year. Purchase as much before hand as possible.

I hope you can use these Back to School tips. Have a great school year!

You might also like:

Organizing Back to School Supplies

Planning Kids Clothes for the School Week

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