It sure feels like school just ended so you may be wondering why we are already thinking about back to school. In preparation for the rush at the end of August to ensure you have everything your kids need, let’s take a look at five ways to save on back to school.
- Inventory
What supplies do you already have lurking in that old pencil case or that junk drawer? Depending on the age of the child, certain items can be reused year after year, assuming it’s not lost. Think calculators, scissors, rulers. See what backpacks and lunch bags still have life left and can be reused for the coming school year. Get your kids to go through their closet to see what clothes still fit and what will need to be replaced.
- School List
Some schools make a list of what you need to purchase, and others do bulk purchases, and the parents simply pay a flat amount for all supplies. The latter sure makes life easier for the basic supplies.
Once you have your list, check your inventory from #1 above and make your shopping list. The earlier you make this list, the better as you can start budgeting the cost.
- Sales
Keep your eye on the flyers, sign up for alerts from your favourite stores. Also, know which stores price match, so you’re not running around to 2 or 3 different shops. Lastly, check store prices against online retailers to ensure you are getting the best deal.
- Buy and Sell Groups
There are many online groups, especially within Facebook that allow you to purchase used goods from other parents. Keep an eye on these sites for good-used condition items like clothing, backpacks and other supplies. Just make sure you are getting a reasonable price. Check the article online to see what the retail price is to ensure you are getting a deal.
- Shop throughout the year
Keep an eye out for the end of season sales where you can stock up on clothing for the following fall, winter, spring and summer. Keep a drawer and a portion of your child’s closet to store the items until they fit. If you see an exceptionally good price on something you know you will need the next school year, grab it. Just don’t forget that you have these items tucked away and include in your summer inventory each year.