The back-to-school season comes with an inevitable shopping list of notebooks, pencils, and a mountain of other supplies. Naturally, this puts a dent in the pockets of middle-class households.
A recent poll conducted by Talker Research, commissioned by The Krazy Coupon Lady, surveyed over 2,000 U.S. parents of elementary school children. The poll revealed some clever strategies for saving serious cash on school supplies.
From creative reuse to strategic shopping, we cover some of the most popular money-saving strategies for school supplies. So, let’s take a look at them.
Buying In Bulk With Other Parents
Stores often offer significant price breaks for buying larger quantities. 57% of the respondents agreed that they prefer group buying with other parents to get better deals and split costs. Team up with classmates’ parents and split a bulk pack of pens, notebooks, or highlighters. This works especially well for commonly used items that all kids will need, and you can divvy up the bounty based on each child’s needs. Just be sure to coordinate beforehand to ensure you get the right colors, styles, and quantities for everyone.
Shopping After Back-to-school Season Sales
Schools typically provide supply lists well in advance. Use this knowledge to your advantage. 49% of respondents said they buy school supplies whenever there is a sale, even after the back-to-school season. Resist the back-to-school frenzy and wait a few weeks after the initial rush. Stores are eager to clear out leftover inventory, so you can find deep discounts on notebooks, folders, binders, and other essentials. Just be sure to double-check the school list beforehand to ensure you’re grabbing the right size notebooks or specific types of pens required by the teacher.
Shopping At Multiple Stores
Putting in some extra effort can lead to significant savings. 45% of respondents reported that they shop at multiple stores to find better deals on various items. By comparing prices across different stores, both online and offline, you can identify the best bargains. Some stores might offer great deals on notebooks, while others might have sales on pens. Make use of flyers, online ads, and price-matching policies to your advantage. Although this approach requires more effort, strategically comparing prices for each item on your list can help you get the best deals and increase your savings.
Collecting Supplies Throughout The Year
37% of the parents agreed in the poll that collecting supplies throughout the year has helped them save money. Keep an eye out for deals on school supplies throughout the year. Stores often have clearance sales or special promotions on notebooks, folders, and other essentials. By grabbing these discounted items as you see them, you can build up a stockpile for the next school year. This “slow and steady” approach can significantly reduce your back-to-school shopping bill.
Shopping Only On Deals
Utilize coupons, store loyalty programs, and online promo codes whenever possible. 34% of the respondents said that they prefer shopping for supplies only when there’s a sale. So they never have to pay full price for any item. Many stores offer significant discounts through these channels. Additionally, consider cashback apps or browser extensions that reward you for shopping at specific stores. Every little bit saved adds up, so don’t be shy about leveraging these deals.
Not To Include Kids When Shopping
64% of the parents participating in the survey said that taking their kids with them for shopping causes them to spend more. Therefore, while it can be fun to involve kids in picking out their school supplies, it can also lead to impulse purchases and exceeding the budget. For younger children, consider shopping for essentials beforehand and letting them choose a fun pencil case or a funky folder as a special treat. For older, responsible children, involve them in the planning process, discussing the budget and comparing prices together. This can be a valuable learning experience about responsible spending.
Extreme Couponing
22% of the respondents stick to extreme couponing when it comes to buying school supplies for their kids. This strategy requires significant time investment and organization. It involves scouring newspapers, flyers, online coupon databases, and store loyalty programs to find the best deals. While extreme couponing can yield impressive savings, it’s not for everyone. Be sure to weigh the time commitment against the potential savings to see if it fits your lifestyle.
Looking For Half-Used Products Around Home
Utilize the “reuse, reduce, recycle” approach. 16% of respondents suggested that they look around in their homes to find half-used products that their kids can comfortably reuse for their new school season. Before hitting the stores, take inventory of what you already have at home. Are there half-used packs of crayons, a partially filled pencil case, or leftover notebooks from last year? Get creative and repurpose these items whenever possible. This not only saves money but also teaches kids valuable lessons about sustainability.
Joining Buy Nothing Groups On Social Media
10% of respondents found it useful to join “buy nothing” groups on social media to control their urge for unnecessary shopping. Many social media platforms have “Buy Nothing” groups focused on gifting unwanted items within a local area. Join these groups and see if anyone is giving away gently used school supplies. You might score notebooks, binders, or even backpacks in great condition, all for free. This is a fantastic way to save money while also being environmentally conscious.
Comparing Prices Before Buying
Don’t just grab the first item you see. Use your smartphone or a price comparison app to check prices across different stores before you buy. This ensures you’re getting the best deal possible on each item on your list. A few minutes of research can translate to significant savings.
Paying Attention To Clearance Shelves
Many stores have dedicated clearance sections where they mark down overstocked or seasonal items. Look for these areas, especially after the holidays or the initial back-to-school rush. You might find hidden gems like discounted notebooks, highlighters, or even calculators at a fraction of the original price.
Opting for Generic Brands
59% of respondents feel their kids pester them to buy certain name-brand school items, such as Under Armour backpacks, Mead notebooks, or Crayola crayons. However, brand loyalty can be expensive. For many school supplies, generic or store-brand alternatives often perform just as well as their name-brand counterparts. Focus on functionality and quality over brand names, especially for items like folders, binders, or pens. Prioritize name brands only if specifically required by the teacher or for a specialized purpose.