Welcome back to school! Although the dollar store seems like a simple and tempting solution to your school supply needs, it may not be the most affordable choice. After years of back to school shopping, here are a few of my top suggestions:
- Buy basic items ahead of time. No matter what school supply list your child brings home, certain essentials like erasers, pens and pencils are always needed. When they go on super sale in July and August, buy boxes for as low as 33 cents each in everyday supermarkets and drug stores.
- Shop at office supply stores. I bought folders at Staples for 10 cents each. They are simple, colored pocket folders and the ones most teachers prefer. When you walk down the center aisle at Staples, you can find all the marked down school supplies such as glue, crayons and rulers.
- Read circulars that arrive at your house the week before school starts. Know where the sales are as this information comes in handy. For example, if you buy marble notebooks today at CVS you will pay over $2 each. The same size marble notebooks are available at Rite Aid for 33 cents apiece. Comparison shopping through free newspapers can save you a bundle.
- Buy quality water bottles, lunch boxes and backpacks. Your children will need these items for years. After first grade, avoid the temptation to buy cheap, trendy items. Get a good Jansport backpack - it lasts for years and always looks good. Purchase water bottles rather than buying juice boxes, which can cost plenty over the course of a school year.
With a bit of planning, you can get all those back-to-school supplies for less than you thought.
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