How To Save Money On Back To School Supplies List

Here are ten easy ways to save money on your kids’ back to school supplies list this year.

Back to school time can be tough on your wallet. That dreaded list of school supplies adds up fast. Plus, children grow like weeds over the long summer vacation so you already know their school uniforms or clothes and shoes from last year won’t fit.

Here are some tips for how to save on the back to school supplies list for your kids this coming school year.

Back To School Supplies List Savings Tips

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1. Shop At Home

You might be surprised at the amount of back to school essentials you already have at home. Before running off to shop, search every part of your house for necessities your children need for school. Check the home office, kids’ bedrooms, playroom, storage bins and even the kitchen junk drawer.

Usually, you’ll have stationery like the following at home:

Pens, pencils, highlighters
Erasers
Sharpeners
Calculators
Crayons
Art Supplies like paint and paint brushes
Paper
Notebooks
Post It Notes

Round up these supplies and place them in a central location so you and your children can easily access them when necessary. Also, cross any of the items you find at home off your list so you don’t purchase them when you go back to school shopping.

2. Reuse Items You Already Own

Backpacks, lunch boxes and binders are all examples of back to school supplies that you don’t need to purchase every year. As long as they are in good condition, reuse them. Simply scrub the book bag and lunch box thoroughly so they look good as new.

If you have an older child, give their clothing to the younger one. There is absolutely nothing wrong with hand-me-downs. Patch any holes, attach missing buttons and adjust hems as needed. Your child will have a “new” wardrobe without you having to spend a cent.

3. Get Creative

If you are reusing items you already had at home or you were given supplies by a friend, get creative and change the appearance. Use dye to brighten up clothing and cover binders with Washi tape or pretty paper.

Let your children personalize their old backpacks with stickers or patches. Just because something is old, doesn’t mean it needs to look that way. Get more diy school supplies ideas here.

4. Buy Back to School Essentials Over Time

There is no need to purchase everything all at once. After you receive the new back to school supplies list, ask the teacher if there are any items that your kids will not use at the beginning of the year. Buy those items later. Staggering your costs will make back to school purchases a lot easier on your bank account.

5. Buy Used

Check thrift stores and online sales for your children’s school supplies. This is a great way to find gently used or sometimes brand new items at great prices.

You can also sell the clothes and supplies your children no longer wear or need and use that cash to offset your costs.

6. Use Coupons

Check newspapers, magazines and fliers for back to school deals. Clip coupons and combine them where you can. You might be surprised at the amount you can save overall.

7. Wait For Back To School Sales

Every summer, there will inevitably be back to school sales where you can source any items you need. If there are tax-free days in your area, that would also be a good time to purchase supplies at a cheaper price. Consider leaving the more expensive supplies for this time when it would be more beneficial to you.

8. Shop Around

Check dollar stores and the bargain bin at larger shops or discount chains for the best prices. This is a great way to save on school essentials.

9. Buy School Supplies In Bulk

Buying in bulk is one of my best back to school savings tips. You can purchase supplies you use regularly at a much cheaper price. Things like pencils, notebooks and snacks that kids go through in a hurry are worth getting in larger quantities.

This is also something to consider when you’re buying supplies for multiple children that use similar items.

10. Say No

You may find it difficult to say no to your children but they do not need the latest and newest of everything. Over time, they will learn the value of money and come to respect it—and you—for not giving into their every whim and fancy.

Let your children help you as you review the back to school budget, if they are old enough. Give them the opportunity to pitch in and let you know where you can cut back. This can ultimately avoid them feeling cheated in some way and like they had a hand in solutions concerning them.

If they truly want something, let them earn it or give it as a gift for their birthday or at Christmas.

Back to school can be the second biggest shopping season of the year behind Christmas. Prepare for it and follow these easy tips for how to save on your school supplies list.

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