Take an inventory. You never know what might be lurking in your child’s backpack. You may discover a perfectly good set of pencils or find the backpack itself will easily last another year.
Invest in big items. The key here is to pay for longevity. For example, it’s worth spending a little extra on your child’s backpack, soccer boots, or swim gear which will have to last him or her the entire school year as opposed to pencils or pens which can be easily misplaced.
Wait for deals. Don’t purchase items for school as soon as they appear in the stores. It’s more cost effective to wait to buy items on sale. You might even want to wait until after the school year starts. The kids will be fine with last year’s backpacks, pencil case, etc. if it means you can purchase new for a fraction of the price days or weeks later.
Make sure you stock up on items for home too. You never know when the next art or science project will eat up the last of your paper, scissors or glue!
It’s best to buy in bulk. If you want to cut down on the cost of materials, you could always join forces with other parents and buy in batches.
Coupons are key. Now is the time to be on the lookout. Don't forget to grab in-store magazines to search for offers and discounts.
When you are looking for school supplies it’s a good idea to download retailers' apps for bonus deals. You don’t want to miss out on a bargain that could be in the palm of your hand. You can even sign up for savings and receive alerts when items are discounted.
Not only can you earn savings on the items you purchase, but you can also collect points or dollars too. So, make sure your memberships are up-to-date too. And watch out for double points days.
If you need to purchase textbooks, see if you can team up with a parent whose child has already taken the same classes and offer to purchase these items at the end of each school year.
When you’re taking advantage of the sales don’t forget to shop for next year too. If you can save on items your children will need in a year or two that’s all the more reason to stock up for the future.