How do you all save on Back To School supplies

Brittany - posted on 09/02/2010

This is from my own experiance as a student. The last time I bought a backpack was 4th grade. I used my sister's through high school after mine went bad and I still use it 6 years later (that back pack is 15 years old). The initial cost was a lot (I think it was around $60) but when it lasts that long it's worth it.

Most of my expensive school supplies (like a graphing calculator) I got as a hand-me-down from my sister but you can also get them for over half off if you look at the local Community College sell boards.

Katie - posted on 08/24/2010

Neither of my boys are in school yet, or will be for a couple more years. But there is a church in my town that has had a drive/fundraiser where they get a bunch of different school supplies and backpacks. Then they fill the backpacks with items the recieve (usually just the basic stuff, pencils, crayons, notebooks). All a family has to do is call and say how many backpacks they need.

Danielle - posted on 07/31/2010

Target and Walmart always have basics on sale like glue pencils crayons, pens, sharpeners, etc. These things are anywhere from 10 cents to 50 cents. Whether we need it or not I always grab these items when they are cheap.

Janice - posted on 07/30/2010

great idea what I did is, write down each item and then watch the ads in the paper as to what is on sale, also if they were not in the ads when I went to walmart I listed the prices on my list so I could check when I had to run to other stores, never make a special trip, always keep a notepad with you for jotting down bargains. can also be used for other purchases. thank goodness i have but 1 grandchild I help out..

Heather - posted on 07/29/2010

Staples fan here, too! I stock up when they have their 1 cent and 10 cent sales. I purchase as many as I can at that price (there's usually a limit) and I also have my children go through the checkout line and purchase the limit. I also got some great deals at Walgreen's recently. Then once school starts, I keep an eye on the clearanc stuff, once it gets really low, I stock up on extras.

Geneva - posted on 07/29/2010

I return Ink cartridges to Staples for $2 each at limit of 10 per month and use them for back to school products. I get the ink cartridges at thrift store so they are real cheap.

Mary - posted on 07/27/2010

I know this should be able to help someone out there. This week at Staples if you buy a backpack and have a staples card (it is a free card) they will give you a rebate for the price of the back pack on a staple gift card. This sale is running from July 25-July 31. Hope someone here can use the info.

Mary - posted on 07/24/2010

I started to shop as soon as back to school items went on sale. I purchased items for as little as 9cents. I try to find out as soon as school is about to end, what the teacher will require for his/her students so I can get it all out of the way. The most expensive item I purchased was a backpack at 2/$9.98. I am finished. My total was less than $20. Thank God I only have one child to buy school supplies for.

Karen - posted on 07/22/2010

It's funny that we both did the same thing. Of course my kids are out of school now and grown, but I did the same thing, and I also tried to use coupons and rebates when available. And I have been known to go in with friends for bigger packs of stuff and divide the cost with them.

Connie - posted on 07/22/2010

i bought my granddaughter her school supply at the dollar stores or you can try zellers or wal mart or you can look at the flyers and see what goes on sale or you can ask your friends or family where they get their things i hope this helps you

Wendy - posted on 07/22/2010

I do something similar. At the end of the school year when everything comes home go through it all and see what is still useable and what needs to be replaced. That all goes in a crate in the basement until now. I get the school supply list and make a master list of what is needed and how much and then for most of it, I multiply by two so I don't have to make purchases to resupply for second semester.

Then I start surfing the ads to see what is on sale and when. If I find something that is super cheap like notebooks for 10 cents I buy up to the limit even if it's not on the list because I know it will be used down the road. I also wait until the tax-free week to make most of my purchases. Last year I bought all supplies for both my children for under $20.00.

Erin - posted on 07/20/2010

we had a grand time trying to beet the pta! 40 bucks a kid this yaer for 4th, 2nd kder.... found office suply store had many for less than a dollor, some at the grocery store n drug store then hit the dollor tree too! we found in past years the teachers dont need everthing so we get most for the first week and then see what is needed before buying one of everyvolor note book....its fun to see how each teacher takes this and thinks about how many suplys each class really needs! I have no problem getting extra pencils, paper klenex though out the year either! be happy to donate games and suplys latwer in the winter! great job with your spread sheet my darling hubbs like that method too! I like checking the clearence at the stores!

Shannon - posted on 07/19/2010

What I do is I a list of the next few grades that they will be in and when the school supplies go on clearances I pay everything I need for like 75% off.