Whether you have a child heading off to kindergarten for the first time, or a college freshman moving into a dorm, back to school season can be incredibly expensive. For starters, today’s parents are expected to purchase a lot more supplies than parents of past generations. College students usually need to bring their own text books and laptops to campus, and it’s become common for K-12 schools to send out supply lists to parents as well. These lengthy lists often request that parents purchase specific items like scissors, crayons, and tissues – all things that schools used to provide at no cost.
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), record spending levels are anticipated for the 2019-2020 school year. Parents with school-aged children are expected to spend a whopping $697 on back-to-school shopping this year, while those with college students are expected to shell out an average of $976.
Luckily, there are ways to help make the back-to-school onslaught more affordable. Here are some tips:
1.) Search your home before you buy. You may be surprised at how many supplies you already have laying around your home. By scouring your basement, junk drawers, closets, and desks, you could put a big dent in that school supply list before you ever even have to set foot in a store.
2.) Team up with other parents and buy in bulk. If you have friends or family members with school-aged children, you could suggest each buying different supplies in bulk, and then splitting the purchases. Stores and websites like BJs and Oriental Trading have bulk deals that could save you big bucks per item.
3.) Shop at dollar stores or discount stores. Stores like Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Dollar Depot, or Family Dollar offer deals on supplies like notebooks, crayons, basic calculators, glue sticks, and more. These stores could be a good place to cost-effectively stock up on all the little items you need.
4.) Use coupons. Check your mailbox for circulars with special deals and coupons from your local stores. If you’re buying school supplies online, use websites like RetailMeNot.com to find coupon codes before you checkout. And if you’re shopping at Target, be sure to download the Target app beforehand which will give you access to weekly sales and promos, daily deals on hundreds of items, and cash back via gift cards on eligible purchases.
5.) Buy plain, generic supplies. Sure, your child may want that Frozen notebook, but if it’s four times as expensive as the plain blue one, is it really worth it? The answer is no, especially if you’re concerned with saving money. If your child insists on having name-brand or decorated supplies, have them pitch in to help cover the cost. Not only will it keep you from wasting money on frivolous items, but it will help teach your child about financial responsibility and the value of a dollar as well.
6.) Search thrift stores, or websites like Freecycle or Craigslist. With a little digging you could find free, or greatly discounted, used school supplies. Just be sure to check their condition before you shell out any money.
7.) Shop online. Not only will you be able to beat the crowds and the stress that comes along with sold out “Back to School” shelves at brick and mortar stores, but you’ll be able to easily compare prices between websites and search for coupon codes on sites like RetailMeNot.com before you buy.
8.) Shop on tax free holidays. In Massachusetts, you can enjoy tax-free shopping on August 17th and 18th. Almost all purchases up to $2,500 are eligible. And, if you’re looking for clothing deals, there is no sales tax in MA on clothing purchases under $175 all year round. Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/sales-tax-holiday-frequently-asked-questions for more information.
There’s no arguing that back to school shopping can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to put a huge dent in your wallet. By taking some time to really think about what you need to buy, and doing some digging to determine where the best deals are, you can save some money and help start your child’s school year on the right financial foot.