| These days, teachers must be resourceful in order to | | | | in your area if they would like to donate office supplies |
| afford the materials they need for their classrooms. | | | | they no longer need. You might be surprised how |
| Try these money-saving secrets --most of the time, all | | | | eager businesses can be to clear out the remains of |
| you'll need to get a great deal is a little leg work and | | | | cancelled projects or outdated paperwork. Your class |
| your school ID. | | | | might receive anything from old binders for storage to |
| 1. Don't underestimate what you can get free. Ask | | | | paper coffee cups that could be used during craft |
| friends whose children are older than yours if they | | | | time. |
| have leftover school supplies your class can use. Visit | | | | 7. If anyone you know is a retiring teacher, ask them to |
| garage and tag sales for gently-used items. Check | | | | donate supplies they no longer need. |
| with United Way and Salvation Army - they often | | | | 8. You might not actually need as many supplies as |
| sponsor free school supplies programs. | | | | you think you will, so purchase only what you |
| 2. Some bookstores give discounts to those with a | | | | absolutely have to have. Then get creative by |
| teacher discount card. Barnes & Noble, for | | | | repurposing old supplies in a new way. Do more group |
| example, will give you a 20% discount when you | | | | work so you don't have to print off as many individual |
| purchase supplies at their store. They also offer a 10% | | | | worksheets. Save scraps used in art projects for a |
| off discount on half-price books, which can add up to | | | | different project. |
| huge savings for your classroom. | | | | 9. Venture outside of the school supply aisle. Stickers, |
| 3. Other stores offer discounts, as well. Jo-Ann Fabrics | | | | colorful paper and other supplies are often found in |
| will take 15% off your total purchase if you are | | | | other parts of the store, sometimes with heavy |
| purchasing a craft item or other supplies for your | | | | discounts or on clearance, especially if it's a seasonal |
| classroom. They will also send you coupons | | | | product. |
| intermittently for one regularly priced item at 40% off. | | | | 10. Go online. Some stores, such as Walmart and |
| Lowe's will cut wood and pipe for free if you're | | | | Target have lower prices online and offer "online only" |
| purchasing supplies for class projects. | | | | discounts. Do a quick search for the items you need, |
| 4. Office supply stores, such as Office Max, Office | | | | and make sure you note whether the items you want |
| Depot and Staples will swipe your store card every | | | | qualify for free regular shipping or free ship-to-store |
| purchase, earning you a percentage of your purchase | | | | shipping. Shopping online is a great way to save time, |
| back. When you get cash back each quarter, use the | | | | money and gas! |
| money toward more class supplies. Also look for store | | | | 11. Check out sites like All items listed are free and |
| special events. Some businesses celebrate "educator | | | | given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. |
| days" and will offer higher discounts or other perks, | | | | 12. Some teachers recommend for saving money on |
| such as free coffee and donuts, or bags of classroom | | | | supplies. Also check out agiftforteaching.org, |
| supplies. | | | | adopt-a-classroom, and to find out how your |
| 5. Join friends and neighbors and buy in bulk. Many | | | | classroom can receive donated supplies. |
| online sites give volume discounts, as well. | | | | 13. Make sure to save your receipts so you can get a |
| 6. Get to know local businesses. Ask business owners | | | | tax break at year's end. |