If you’re looking for ways to save money on back to school shopping, check out these 31 tips.
The sofi bank locations is a list of 31 ways to save on back to school shopping.
Back-to-school shopping will cost an average of $498 in 2024, and one-third of parents with school-aged children believe they would go into debt to pay for supplies. Even if your or your children’s school year has already begun, there are ways to economize on important things you may have missed or need to replenish.
Here are 31 money-saving back-to-school buying ideas for this school year and beyond.
Budgeting advice for single parents is also available.
Ekaterina Senyutina / istockphoto contributed to this image.
1. Look over the circulars
You may get weekly circulars in the mail with discounts for local businesses that might save you money on school supplies. If you don’t get any circulars or would like more, a website like Flipp can provide you with digital circulars and coupons that you can use at the shop.
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2. Honey is available for download.
When it comes to back-to-school discounts, the Honey browser plugin comes in handy. While you install Honey on your browser, it will automatically look for discount codes and offers when you shop online, saving you both time and money.
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3. Take advantage of internet coupons.
Online coupons are available on certain websites, such as Coupons.com, RetailMeNot, and Savings.com. By browsing these websites, you may be able to save money on school supplies.
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4. Join the circle of the target.
Target Circle allows you to earn rewards when you buy for back-to-school supplies at Target. You can gain access to hundreds of offers and get 1% cash back when you buy (or 5 percent back when you shop with your Target RedCard). You may then use your funds to make future purchases.
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5. Make use of credit cards that provide cash back.
Using a cash-back credit card to buy school supplies is another way to save money. The cashback may then be used to cover a part of your credit card payment or saved for future purchases.
B4LLS / iStock / B4LLS / iStock / B4LLS / iStock
6. Get money back on your purchases
You may get cash back when you buy at your favorite shops with services like Rakuten and Swagbucks. Before you go back to school shopping, look for cash back deals on these websites.
oatawa / istockphoto / oatawa / istockphoto / oatawa / istockphoto /
7. Join the store’s mailing list.
If you know you’ll be shopping at a few shops this year, join up for their email list ahead of time to get coupons and find out when they’re having discounts. For signing up for their emails or texts, several businesses give a percent-off coupon or a dollar-amount discount.
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8. Get applications from the shop.
You may also download shop apps to get special discounts and deal notifications in addition to signing up for newsletters. You may get a one-time discount in the start, followed by subsequent offers.
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9. Seek out old supplies from friends.
If you have friends who are no longer utilizing their old materials, they may be willing to donate them to you so that they do not go to waste. This may help you save a lot of money, particularly when it comes to college textbooks.
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10. Participate in parent groups
Join local parent groups on Facebook or other social media platforms to check if anybody is giving away or selling goods for a low price. Connecting with other parents before the first day of school may help you establish connections and share back-to-school buying advice.
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11. Take a look at classified ads for secondhand items.
On used goods markets like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, you may be able to locate what you need. When meeting strangers to make a deal, take the following precautions: meet near a police station, bring someone with you, and trust your instincts if you believe the scenario is dangerous.
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12. Put off some of your purchases until later.
Your children will not need all of their school supplies on the first day of school, or even within the first month. Instead, you may ask your children’s instructors what they will need right away and then buy for the remainder of the goods when stores begin to mark down their inventory in September or October.
Manit Chaidee / istockphoto contributed to this image.
13. Make a financial plan
Prepare a back-to-school monthly budget before entering a shop so you know precisely how much you can spend and prevent impulsive purchases. Without a strategy, it’s easy to overspend and be surprised when your credit card bill arrives in the mail.
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14. Make a list of what you already own.
You may already have everything you’ll need for return to school at home. Examine your surroundings for additional pencils, art materials, books, and other things you thought you needed but may already have.
Zolotaosen / istockphoto / Zolotaosen / istockphoto / Zolotaosen / istockphoto
15. Make a cash payment
Paying using cash rather than a debit or credit card is an ancient technique for adhering to a budget and saving money. Because you watch the cash vanish as you spend it, paying with cash may make you more aware of your purchases. If you use old-fashioned dollar notes and coins, you may not be inclined to spend as much.
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16. Making an offer on a cash acquisition
Negotiating with cash is also beneficial. If you’re looking for school supplies, you may be able to bargain rates at a small business, flea market, or yard sale, even if you won’t be able to do so at a big-box retailer. If you tell the merchant how much you’re prepared to spend, they may be willing to work with you.
David Sacks is the photographer behind this image.
17. Seek out price matches.
If you show them that their rival is providing a lower price on the identical goods, some shops will match it. Take a few minutes to check costs online before heading to the store, and carry evidence of the cheaper price with you when you buy. Price matching rules differ from shop to store and are typically available on the retailer’s website.
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18. Purchase in bulk
When it comes to school supplies, buying in bulk from warehouse shops like Costco or Sam’s Club may help you save a lot of money. Pens and pencils, folders, and notebooks are some of the finest items to purchase in quantity for back-to-school.
Purchasing items in bulk, such as paper towels, toilet paper, and shampoo, may save you money. Joining up with other parents to share the expense of bulk purchases may lead to the formation of a new group of like-minded friends.
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19. Purchase reconditioned electronics
If you need to purchase gadgets such as computers, tablets, or phones, consider purchasing a refurbished model rather than a new one. Used models that have been certified by the manufacturer are often available directly from the manufacturer or from reputable internet dealers.
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20. Visit a dollar shop
While the dollar store may not be the best location to go for all of your back-to-school shopping, it does provide a lot of cheap goods. Pencils, pens, crayons, folders, and clipboards are among these things.
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21. Take advantage of tax-free days.
Annual tax-free days are held in certain states, typically in July or August, and are ideal for back-to-school shopping. Check your state’s website to discover whether and when this money-saving alternative is available. Even if it’s too late for this year, you may find out when tax-free days are coming up in your area and mark your calendar for next year!
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22. Take advantage of your student discount
Students may be able to get discounts on gadgets and other goods by using their college ID or student email address. Look for shops near your campus that offer student discounts.
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23. Invest in secondhand textbooks
Buying secondhand textbooks is another method to save money for back-to-school. BookFinder.com scans all of the bookstore websites for the greatest textbook prices.
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24. Save all of your receipts.
If you retain your receipts and discover that the goods you bought have been reduced further, you may be able to obtain a price adjustment or a partial refund to cover the difference. Although policies differ by shop, it’s never a bad idea to check deals after you’ve made a purchase and inquire whether the company offers price changes.
MonthiraYodtiwong / istockphoto / MonthiraYodtiwong / istockphoto / MonthiraYodtiwong
25. Shopping at secondhand shops
Back-to-school necessities like clothes and backpacks may frequently be found at thrift shops like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Buying secondhand goods is also good for the environment. Families that are unable to purchase school supplies may be eligible for help from a variety of charity organizations, including The Salvation Army and local school districts.
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26. Look for promotional items for your company.
You may obtain free samples or promo codes for discounts on products by following companies on social media or contacting them directly.
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27. Submit your rebates.
Back-to-school discounts may not always be available at the time of purchase. You’ll have to send in rebates instead. Look for goods that provide rebates and remember to save all of your receipts and other necessary documents.
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28. Make high-quality purchases.
While it may be tempting to stock up on everything at a cheap shop, low-quality goods may not even survive a school year. Consider spending a little extra for things that receive a lot of usage, such as a backpack, so they last longer. For example, you may be able to get many years of usage out of a high-quality, well-made backpack.
courtesy of иаил уденкo / istockphoto.
29. Make substitutions for your children’s favorite characters.
Your kid may be adamant about having a bag with a certain figure on it, but next year’s favorite character will most likely be someone else. Purchasing a basic bag for your child and then adding keychains or stickers with their favorite character is a low-cost solution that will keep your children happy while saving you money.
Ridofranz / istockphoto / Ridofranz / istockphoto / Ridofranz / istockphoto
30. Purchase things that may be reused.
While plastic and paper bags are handy, buying a reusable lunch bag and containers can save you a lot of money (and help the environment).
To save time, choose a lunch bag that is simple to clean.
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31. Host a clothes exchange
Because children outgrow their clothing fast, purchasing a large number of costly new outfits is not cost effective. Instead, bring some friends and neighbors with children over to exchange old clothes.
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The food that was delivered
When attempting to find out how to save money on school supplies, it’s a good idea to spend some time pre-shopping to anticipate prices. Setting a financial goal and saving a little at a time is a smart idea, whether the aim is to buy school supplies or something more costly.
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