Shopping for school is one of the biggest expenditures of the year for most families. Develop some smart shopping strategies to make it easier on you and your wallet.
Back to school shopping is one shopping trip that most parents do not look forward to each year. Why? Usually it is a huge expense in the family budget and the crowds can be unruly, especially for the last-minute shoppers.
Just how expensive is back to school shopping? Take a look at these statistics of what the average family spends per year (40 families polled in Mechanicsville, VA, totaled to the nearest dollar amount):
- Clothing........................$220.00
- Electronics...................$110.00
- Shoes...........................$100.00
- School Supplies..........$ 75.00
- Total..............................$505.00
You can't ignore the fact that your child needs supplies for school, but you can become a smarter shopper. To ease the anxiety of back to school shopping, try some of these tips that will save you both time and money. The time to get started is now, and not waiting until the end of summer to start your shopping.
Year-Round Savings
You know it comes around every year, so prepare for it. Just like you would save for a Christmas fund, you can start saving for back to school shopping beginning each fall for the following year. This way, you won't be stuck with coming up with the cash immediately, you won't rack up interest on credit cards, and you will be tickled with how much discipline you have.
Bulk Deals
There are certain supplies that kids seem to lose or run out of throughout the school year. These items would include pencils, paper, crayons, glue, etc. Some schools are now asking parents to donate paper towels and hand soap to classrooms as well. These are items that you can find in bulk, which in the long run saves you money. Stock up on bundles that are on sale now, and keep them stashed at your house. When your child needs a new pencil, you will have plenty at home, and won't have to run out and buy new ones, saving you time, as well as money.
You can also coordinate with another few families who want to buy in bulk, and have a school supply party. Instead of you bringing the chips and dip, you will bring the pencils and erasers. Have fun dividing up the goods together.
Write it Down
A lot of schools will display the list of supplies that your child needs in discount stores, as well as be available at the school office. This should be a good springboard to help you find deals ahead of time. When buying school supplies, stick to this list and try not to swerve from it. You can also deviate from designer brands for cheaper brands in some cases where the items work the same no matter who manufactured it (i.e., pencils, paper, erasers, etc.)
Previously Owned Items
Gently used items are a great way to go to save you some money. These can include clothes, as well as electronics and sports equipment. Check out eBay for deals on all of these items.
Clothes: There is nothing wrong with hand-me-downs from older siblings. But, if your child complains about it, call them "first grade clothes," instead of "Mandy's old clothes."
Electronics: Check with friends who have older kids who have used the same electronics that your child needs for school. Perhaps you can purchase these items from them at a really good price.
Sports Equipment: Check local newspapers for classified ads, or use the same method above by asking friends and neighbors if they have anything they are willing to sell.
Where do most parents do their shopping for school. Take a look:
- Discount stores (Wal-Mart, Kmart).................76%
- Department stores (JC Penney's, Sears).....42%
- Office supply stores (OfficeMax, Staples)......35%
- Specialty stores..................................................18%
- Drug stores (CVS, Rite-Aid)..............................15%
- Online retailers...................................................14%
- Catalog...................................................................3%
Hopefully this shopping year will be more enjoyable for everyone!
