5 Savvy Ways to Save on Back to School Supplies

August 16, 2013

As summer winds to a close every year, I dig deep into my money-saving strategies to help keep those pesky back-to-school supplies affordable, and this year I decided to dig even deeper to try and uncover a few new strategies. Where I live in Georgia, school is already back in session and after having tracked my savings to date, I’ve purchased roughly $275 worth of school supplies for an approximate out-of-pocket cost of $38. To educate yourself on how to take a big bite out of what’s typically a costly expense, read on.

1. Get Backpacks for Free
You may need a little luck on your side to score this deal, but this year and in the past, both Office Max and Staples have offered school backpacks for free after a 100% cash-back rebate program. It applies to a host of other school supplies as well, but backpacks make for the biggest savings, so be sure to take advantage of that aspect of it. I picked up two backpacks for my little ones a few weeks back (valued at $109) for free.

2. Check Sales Every Week
Log on to the most popular school supply retailer websites out there, like Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max, to check out their sales ads each week or simply sign up for email updates to have the information sent directly to your inbox. Most websites post the following week’s ad each Thursday so you can get a head start planning for upcoming sales if you check them out early.

3. Stock Up For Next Year Too
Whenever you see a stellar deal on school supplies, don’t limit yourself to what you need this year. Buy as much as you can without going over your spending limit if you have one. Use the supplies your kids need now and tuck the rest away in the closet for safe keeping. Just make sure everything is well-organized so you can easily access it next year.

4. Don’t Forget Printer Paper
You generally won’t see printer paper listed on any school supply lists, but there’s no doubt about it – once the school year is in full swing, your kids are going to run through it. Many retailers offer individual packs either for free or for $1 after their cash-back rebate program. If you scour carefully, it’s not impossible to get your hands on an entire case of paper without spending a dime.

5. Delay Purchasing Certain Items
If you end up missing out on your free backpack deal, wait to purchase it until a few weeks after school starts. Items like backpacks and lunchboxes usually find their way into the clearance section shortly after the school year begins, sometimes for as much as half off. Convince your children to make do with last year’s supplies for a short time and you can save significant money.

If after all of these deals you still have a few items left on your list, don’t take the bait and pay full price at your preferred retailers. Instead, head to the local dollar store to round out your shopping. I finished things off this year at the dollar store to pick up a few erasers and some Scotch tape that I couldn’t find for a reasonable price anywhere else.

Back-to-school supplies can take a pretty big bite out of your checking account if you’re not careful, but they don’t have to. I saved roughly 86% by putting the above ideas to use, and with a little digging and diligence, there’s no reason you can’t do the same thing. How is your back-to-school shopping coming along?