Back-to-School Savings Tips

Camie Sims

August 22, 2014  •  1 Minute Read

Financial Tips, Student/Financial Aid

Yellow school buses and children with backpacks are soon to be a common sight during the morning commute for many, meaning one thing: back-to-school season is upon us. If you have school-aged kids, have you completed your shopping yet?

While the best tips for saving money on school supplies and clothes for your kids include shopping in advance and spreading out your purchases, never fear if you've procrastinated until the last minute again this year. Here are a few ways you can still save some cash during this expensive season.

3 Tips To Save

1. Check at home first. Your home can, and probably does, contain a stockpile of unused or barely used items you've purchased over the years. The best way to save money now is to take inventory of everything you've stuffed into that junk drawer. Pencils, pens, and notebooks from last year work just as well this year. No need to waste money on all new products when you can easily clean out that overflowing stash of office supplies.

2. Use second-hand. Garage sales, clothing exchanges, and consignment stores will be your best friend, especially when completing your back-to-school clothes shopping. It may be necessary to buy new on a few of the key items your child will need in their wardrobe, but make sure these items can be used for a multitude of outfits. Mix and match these staple pieces with your cheap finds at the sales and your child will have many outfits to keep them happy.

3. Shop without the kids. We know it's sometimes difficult to say 'no' to your child on certain items; elect to go school shopping alone when you can. Even though it may not seem like a huge difference at the time, the few dollars you save buying the plain notebooks instead of the character or flashy notebooks will add up.

Shopping for school supplies doesn't have to be a hassle. After all, you might have things you need right at your fingertips! Happy shopping!