School Shopping 101 Buying School Supplies Pt.1

School shopping to some may be FUN, but to others it’s more like a headache. Especially if you have more than one child to shop for (like myself). So here are some tips on how to save money on clothes, uniforms and school supplies. Hopefully this will make your trip the store less overwhelming and you will walk with a list full of check marks.

1. 1. Save school supply coupon When summer begins start saving coupons for school supplies. Often times theses coupons come in handy later with sales that stores are having. You should get some in the mail, Sunday papers as well as online such as www.coupons.com. You can also sign up for coupon text messages like at Target. They will send you text messages of new coupons that come out for their stores.

2. 2. Get the list in advance

Around July I recommend looking on the school’s website for the supply list and print it out. If it is not there keep checking once a week until the first week of August. (Since my kids start the first week of August I actually looked in June). If it’s still not there call the school and see if you can pick one up.

3. 3. Sign up for coupon bloggers

Coupon bloggers often stay on all sales, so this includes school supplies. Make sure to check some out like www.southernsavers.com. You may be able to get some items for free, provided that you started saving school supplies coupons when the summer starts.

4. 4. Go through old supplies

Often times children reuse certain materials such as rulers, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, folders etc. So when they bring that stuff home at the end of the year don’t trash it. Instead find a box, label and store it (if it’s in good condition). This way when you get the new supply list you can check and see what your kids already have and check it off the list.

Sn: This year I didn’t have buy three packs of pencils only 1 because I had 2 packs of 24 from last year, I also saved on scissors for my boys, 2 folders, a pencil box, highlighters and book bags. I do not buy new book bags every year, I buy one every 2-3 years depending on condition. Considering that my children are not in middle or high school were they carry heavy books often there is no need to spend an extra $15-30 when there old one works just fine.

5. 5. Check ads and make notes of who has what on sale.

Checking ads when they come lets you know who has what for sale and you can than compare prices. Keep a tablet with ad price and store so you can compare and get the most for your money. While often times Wal-Mart has the best prices you can sometimes find items in bulk for cheaper at other stores. For instance a pack of glue may be 99 cent at Wal-Mart but at Kmart a 3 pack of glue may be on sale for 1.99 so you would be getting one for free.

6. 6. Start shopping as soon as possible

If you don’t want to get stuck in those long lines or find yourself not being able to find certain thing, get to the stores early and start shopping. Often times this gives you a chance to shop in a more organized area with a lot more variety than when everyone has ran through all the items and choices are limited.

Sn: My kids get excited when they get items that are their favorite colors. Making an effort to get to the stores early to get items they like may influence their desire to go J

7. 7. Don’t stress yourself if they don’t have it

Sometimes no matter what you do there will be some items that are not in the store. DON’T PANIC!! The store will restock and you can get it than. Nine times out of ten the children do not need all the times right away so as long as you get it before the first month of school is out your good to go.

What do you think of my tips? Are there any tips I missed? Let me know so I can add it in there. Stay tuned for PT.2 Buying school clothes and uniforms