I know it seems barely possible, but some schools will be back in session in less than a month. If you’re like me, you both love and dread back to school shopping. Who doesn’t love the smell of a fresh box of crayons? But also who gets overwhelmed by lists of supplies and crowds all crushed into the same space? These simple back to school shopping hacks will allow you to get a head start on things without causing the overwhelm.
Take Inventory
Some items don’t need to be replaced every single year. Pencil boxes, backpacks, lunch boxes, rulers, earbuds, and scissors can all be reused year after year. Before you hit the aisles, be sure you know where last year’s items are located. Jot down a list of what you already have so you know what works for another year and what you might need to purchase new. Here’s to hoping everyone cleaned out their lunch boxes in the spring.
Look for Loss Leaders
Each week, your local big box retailer or grocery store sells items they know they’ll lose money on. These items are called “Loss Leaders.” The store attempts to draw you in with a super bargain, knowing you’ll purchase more than what you came for. So they can afford to take the hit. This proves true especially during the back to school shopping season.
Keep your eyes peeled each time you run into the store for school supply loss leaders. The deals will change each week. However, if you can just pick up one or two of the items – say $0.50 crayons or $0.10 folders – with each trip, you’ll save money in the long run.
Buy Double on Deals
Along the same line of thinking, be sure you have replacement items for later in the year. Notebooks are eventually used. Folders get ripped. Pencils are lost. So when you are picking up those Loss Leader Bargains, go ahead and grab two or three. These items will be marked back up to triple or even quadruple the price later in the year. You won’t regret having extras on hand.
Use Online & Curbside Ordering
This year, consider using online or curbside ordering for some of you back to school supplies. Last year, most office stores allowed you to shop online and pick up their great loss leader deals curbside or in store. This strategy works great. Oftentimes, if we don’t see items up close, we’re less tempted to make impulse buys. On Sundays, do a quick sweep of online flyers for stores like Office Depot and Staples to see the deals. Place your order and swing by in the afternoon to do a quick pick up.
Make Lists Everyone Can See
If you have older kids, it’s a great idea to use an app like Cozi or even Notes or a Google Doc to compile a list. That way, the entire family can see needs and be able to pick up items as they are encountered out in the store. If you can make your back to school shopping a bit by bit affair rather than a fail swoop, you’ll be able to spread the expense and time spent out rather than making one enormous haul.
We’ll talk more in the weeks to come about other back to school budgeting strategies to help you save money and your sanity as the kids begin to head back to the classroom this year.
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This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
