With five children, I’ve seen – - and purchased – - my share of school supplies. I’ve also learned a thing or two about saving money on them.
* First, think ahead. Don’t wait till the last minute to get those supplies. The first day of school creeps up. The kids and I were often disappointed when we went to the discount store we thought would have everything only to find the shelves a half-empty mess of leftovers. Avoid the disappointment by planning ahead. Save money on school supplies this way too. A lot of the stores have sales on school supplies starting five or six weeks before they’re needed. And the early sales often offer the most savings. As the school days draw near, the discounts often decrease. So go early for the most significant savings.
* Check your list. School supply lists are readily available ahead of the year through individual schools or districts. Some office supply stores also have the lists. Get the lists ahead, and check carefully for what’s actually needed. Your student may not need a new pencil holder, and you might find a stack of brand new pencils your student won from teacher’s reward programs or holiday programs last school year. Don’t replace what you don’t need. If your kids are anything like mine, you likely have one that uses things gently and has a stash of extra school supplies. Ask that child to share.
* Make your own. Get on the go-green bandwagon and help your child re-use the box from a 12-pack of soda for a folder. A little tape and some ingenuity and your student will have a one-of-a-kind item that’s also a conversation piece. An older child might also make a their own pencil holder. Finding patterns, ideas, and instructions for school supply crafts also provides a valuable lesson in using the Internet for good. There’s a wide world of information on the web, and knowing how to search and find interesting and helpful information becomes a primer for research for school reports and papers clear into the college level.
* Fix and repair. Does your child really need a new backpack? They do take a lot of wear during the school year, but you may be able to sew on a patch or fix a zipper and save money that way. Older children can do this themselves, and create a one-of-a-kind look. Perfectly good pencils with worn-down erasers become new again when you slide on cap erasers. What ideas do you have to make existing school supplies good as new?
* Buy in bulk. For things like paper you know will need replacing all year, take advantage of good deals now so you won’t be caught off guard when things are not on special later. Once home, designate a place for the extras so supplies are easy to find when your child needs them last minute come mid-school year.
* Study the sales, and help your child learn to stretch a dollar. Perusing a stack of weekly store ads (which often include coupons — use them) with your students allows you to show the kids how much prices can differ store-to-store.
* Use coupons with the sales. Manufacturers know the kids need supplies, so you’ll often find relevant coupons this time of year. If you combine those with the sales, you can come out way ahead.
Won’t you help other San Diego on the Cheap readers save on school supplies? Leave a comment about how you save money. And if you like this post, Like San Diego on the Cheap on Facebook.
