Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to break the bank this school year. With strategic planning and a budget, you can save money on the essentials your child needs to start the school year strong. One way to save money on school supplies is to review your child’s supply list. Focus on the most important items and buy the rest throughout the school year. Here are more ways to save money on back-to-school shopping.
Reuse Old School Supplies
Save money on back-to-school shopping by reusing your old school supplies from the previous year. It saves you money and you won’t need to buy as many things. Gather all of your old school supplies and categorize them in bins. Label the bins and then have your kids take out what they need at the beginning of the school year.
Visit The Krazy Coupon Lady Website
This is an established and popular coupon website that advertises the latest deals from various retailers. Currently, the website has these deals you can take advantage of by linking to the retailers’ sites:
- Bic Color Pens for $2.64 at Amazon
- Canon Inkjet Printers starting from $59 on Amazon
- $7 Cat and Jack Lunch Bags at Target
What I like about Krazy Coupon Lady is that I can find deals that aren’t always advertised in the newspapers or commercials. These hidden deals can save me a significant amount of money as I start my back-to-school shopping. Sign up for this website’s newsletter for additional bargains this school year.
Shop During Amazon Prime Day
In my opinion, there’s too much hype surrounding Amazon Prime Day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get great bargains for the new school year. For example, I found the School Supplies Clearance page, and here I found some cool items you can buy with your Prime membership. Some of these items were:
- Amazon Basics Case of 150 No. 2 Pencils for $10.96
- EPI Spiral Notebook, 48 packs for $58.99
- Elmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue, 30-pack for $7.45
- Blue Summit 100 Two-Pocket Folders in Assorted Colors for $33.95
Attend School Supply Drives
Many schools, churches, community centers, and local media outlets sponsor school supply drives between the months of July and September. These are free supplies that ease your financial burden when money is tight. Attend multiple school supply drives to get enough supplies to last you for most of the school year. If you’re struggling to pay for school uniforms, many of these same places also host uniform drives.
Shop During Tax-Free Shopping Days
If your state has a few upcoming tax-free shopping days, do your back-to-school shopping on those days. Boost your savings by downloading coupon apps like Ibotta and Fetch to shave extra dollars off your school supplies. Retailers often have apps where you’ll find deep discounts, so also use these on tax-free shopping days.
Compare Prices and Retailers
It also helps to compare prices and retailers when buying school supplies. Price comparison websites and apps can help you do this. Some good price comparison apps are Flipp, BuyVia, Google Shopping, Honey, and Price.com. Visit multiple stores and websites to get the best deals on school supplies. Get recommendations from friends and relatives. Read online reviews.
Buy Supplies in Bulk
Buy your child’s most-used school supplies in bulk so you’ll have enough not only for this school year, but also the following school year. Some good places to buy school supplies in bulk are wholesale clubs like Costco, local teachers’ supply stores, Amazon, Walmart, and sometimes thrift stores and garage sales.
Buy Refurbished Electronics
It’s not necessary to buy the newest model or the fanciest brand of electronics. Refurbished electronics are often cheaper, and you can even get refurbished versions of your favorite brands. Recently, I purchased a refurbished phone from Walmart for my daughter, and the price was a fraction of what I would’ve paid at the regular price. Look out for back-to-school sales on electronics at electronics stores, independent online stores, Walmart, Amazon, and on Facebook Marketplace.
Visit the Dollar Stores
Don’t forget about the dollar stores when doing your back-to-school shopping. The prices are affordable, and you can stock up on not only school supplies but also snacks that the kids can eat after school. Some dollar stores have weekly ads and apps so use these to increase your savings.
Build Savings for School Activities
Now is a good time to build your savings for school activities such as:
- Daily lunch/breakfast at school if your child gets a reduced lunch
- Field trips and end-of-the-year activities in the spring
- Expenses for your child’s school clubs (such as marching band, cheerleading, sports teams, etc.)
- School fees (graduation expenses, technology fees, etc)
Create a Realistic Budget
You don’t have to buy everything on your child’s school supply list if you can’t afford it now. Create a realistic budget and only buy items that your child will need during the first few weeks of school. Avoid expensive brands and don’t give in to your child’s requests for extra things beyond what’s necessary.
Hit the Outlet Malls and Thrift Stores for School Clothes
Outlet malls and thrift stores are great places to buy school clothes for the kids. These places often have discounted clothes, and you can save money. It’s best to go in the mornings and on weekdays since outlet malls and thrift stores are often crowded on the weekend. You may also have a hard time finding the best items on Mondays since a lot of those were bought over the weekend. Have the kids try on their outfits to ensure they fit well. Bring some cash in case certain stores don’t take card transactions. Boost your savings by looking at the stores’ clearance section.
In a world that often nudges us to spend more, choosing to be clever, reuse what you can, and find those great deals truly helps quiet some of that financial worry. Every mindful decision you make—whether it’s checking what’s already in the closet or hunting for sales—adds up, creating a calmer, more secure feeling in your home. You’re not just stocking up on pens and paper; you’re truly investing in peace of mind for your whole family.