| Unless you're careful, purchasing everything a child will | | | | September, it pays to shop early. You will find a better |
| need for the school year can really add up. Here are | | | | selection of school supplies if you get all your shopping |
| seven quick tips to help you save money and start the | | | | done before mid-August. |
| school year off right. | | | | 5. Scoop Up Good Deals Whenever You See Them. |
| 1. Start Early. | | | | Look for special sales, such as stores that advertise |
| The biggest key to saving money is to start early. It's | | | | supplies being sold for a penny per item. In the "off |
| best if you can start planning as early as the end of | | | | peak" school supply season, many stores will offer |
| the previous school year. Jot down a brief list of what | | | | these deep types of discounts. Watch your |
| your child really used during the previous school year | | | | newspaper for the circulars so you don't miss out on |
| so you know what to buy and what to avoid this time | | | | these great deals. Crayons, colored pencils, erasers |
| around. Set aside items, such as scissors, rulers, and | | | | and #2 pencils will last until you inevitably need them, |
| lunchboxes, which your child may be able to reuse for | | | | so be on the lookout for bargains on these, and scoop |
| the next school year. Cross those items off the official | | | | them up whenever you see them. |
| "school supplies list" before you get to the store. | | | | 6. Share a Two-for-One Deal. |
| 2. One-Stop Shopping. | | | | Look for stores that offer great two-for-one deals on |
| Shopping early will often minimize the amount of time | | | | backpacks, lunch boxes and other big school supplies. |
| you need to spend shopping. In July and early August, | | | | If there aren't any two-for-one deals, you'll probably |
| the selection of school supplies is at its peak, so you | | | | see "buy one get the second half off." If you only have |
| probably won't have to go to more than one store to | | | | one school-aged child you can still take advantage of |
| find everything you need, and that will save you time, | | | | these sales by splitting the purchase with one of your |
| money, and gas. | | | | child's friends or buying the extra item and storing it for |
| 3. Shop Online. | | | | the following year. When it comes to pens, paper and |
| Consider the amount of money that your time is worth. | | | | crayons, it's normally best just to buy and stock up. |
| It might be most efficient to do all of your supplies | | | | These items will be used again and again by your child. |
| shopping online. Some major online office supplies | | | | 7. Ask Your Child to Help You Prioritize. |
| stores offer discounts on school supplies in mid- to | | | | Older children can be pretty opinionated about what |
| late-summer, and then you can often apply an | | | | type of school supplies they want. They may be picky |
| additional coupon code ($30 off $150, for example) to | | | | about the color, size, or any of a number of other |
| save even more. You may even be able to get free | | | | factors when it comes to their supplies. The best way |
| shipping on these online orders, too. And when you | | | | to avoid any future arguments is to have your child |
| shop online, you'll be less likely to pick up the | | | | make a list of the most important items on their wants |
| non-essential items that your kids may beg for at the | | | | list. For example, have your child rank their top five |
| checkout counter. | | | | purchases in order of preference. Assure them that |
| 4. Know When Your Local Stores Offer Discounts. | | | | you will do everything that you can to purchase the |
| Some major department stores start discounting | | | | first item but that they may not be able to get |
| school supplies as early as the first part of July. Look | | | | everything on that list. This may make it easier when |
| for newspaper ads from your local discount | | | | you can't find the perfect purple pencil holder or just |
| superstores. You can also find good back-to-school | | | | the right backpack. |
| deals at big-name office supply stores. Many times, | | | | With a little planning and negotiating with your child, you'll |
| these major chain stores will have supplies and deep | | | | be able to start the school year without dipping into |
| discounts, but only until supplies run out. The same | | | | your savings. Whatever you do, don't buy after school |
| supplies can cost a whole lot more just a few weeks | | | | starts, when the prices tend to go up. Plan ahead, buy |
| later. The next round of discounts typically happen in | | | | early, and save. |
| early August. Even if your child isn't starting school until | | | | |