5 Clever Hacks to Cut Down the Cost of Children’s School Supplies

With a little planning and creativity, back-to-school shopping for your children is possible without breaking the bank. From budgeting tips to strategies for finding deals on everything from clothes to textbooks, this guide provides strategies for saving money on school supplies.

Shop Year-Round for the Best Deals.

Shopping for back-to-school items throughout the year can help you stretch your dollars. By keeping an eye out for deals, you might be able to stock up on supplies when you see them offered at a lower price. Also look for discounts on bundles or bulk purchases that may offer more value than buying single items. Some retail stores offer additional discounts if you become a member or sign up for email notifications with deals—it pays to shop around!

Take advantage of tax holidays that some states offer on back-to-school items. These days can be a great way to get the essentials for school without paying full price, as you are exempt from sales taxes. Check with your state and local governments to find out when they host such events and what’s included within the special savings. You can also look into other ways to save money throughout the year, such as trading supplies with friends or taking part in donate drives hosted by schools or nonprofits.

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Shopping Days.

Many states offer tax-free shopping days, when you can buy clothes, shoes, school supplies and other items without paying state taxes. So mark your calendar and plan to shop on those designated days to get the most bang for your buck. Make sure to check with your local stores for specific rules and restrictions that may apply.

Many retailers also offer deals and discounts to further reduce the cost of back-to-school supplies. In some cases, you can buy multiple items for a discounted price. There are online options providing coupons and coupon codes you can use when shopping online. So before making a purchase, always be sure to search for discount codes that may apply. Additionally, many stores hold sales around back-to-school time, offering even deeper discounts on book bags, pencils, pens and other school supplies. So keep an eye out for sales when shopping for your children’s school supplies!

Buy Multi-Packs or Bulk Items.

Instead of buying individual items, you can save money by purchasing school supplies in bulk or multi-packs. Many stores offer discounted prices on school supplies that are bought in bulk or as a package deal. Online retailers like Amazon and Target have great deals and discounts on various packs and sets. So take advantage of these deals to get the best value for your money.

Buying in bulk or buying multi-packs can be especially helpful if your children go back to school each year because you’ll likely have leftovers, which you can use the following academic year. When it comes to paper and notebooks, buy only what the students need for each semester. Let them know that extras will be purchased when necessary and encourage them to use their supplies judiciously. If you find that they are consistently running out of supplies throughout the year, stocking up on basics like pencils and erasers during the summer can help reduce their need to get more items later on.

Try Refurbished Devices When Buying Electronics.

Electronic products such as laptops, tablets, and printers can be quite expensive. To help manage costs, consider buying refurbished devices instead of new ones. Refurbished items have been opened, inspected, cleaned and repaired if necessary to ensure they’re in good working order. Many refurbished electronics come with warranties and guarantees just like new items do. So don’t let buying a new device break the bank when you can go for a certified refurbished device instead

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Many retailers, both online and in stores, offer refurbished electronics for kids going off to college and for K-12 students. These products are usually discounted at least 10–20% from their original purchase price but still come with the same warranties and guarantees that you’d get from a new product. Refurbished devices can be a great way to save on school supplies for your children without compromising on quality or warranty protection.

You may even find that buying a refurbished device has other advantages such as improved battery life or access to newer software than a brand new one. Plus, you can have the peace of mind knowing you saved money while also doing something good for the environment by keeping another item out of the landfill.

Sign Up For Rewards Programs at Online Retailers.

Many online retailers offer rewards programs that provide discounts and special offers for frequent customers. Signing up for these programs is a great way to save money on school supplies, as you can often get higher discounts than offered in the store. Make sure to check your email regularly for updates about sales and special offers from these retailers so that you can take advantage of them.

Additionally, some rewards programs offer free shipping for orders over a certain dollar amount. If you’re buying multiple school supplies items, you may be able to qualify for free shipping and save even more. Make sure to read the fine print when signing up for any rewards program so you know exactly what the benefits are and how much you can save.

With the start of the school season just around the corner, parents across the country are scrambling to prepare their children for the upcoming school year. One of the many expenses that parents will incur is the cost of school supplies. Fortunately, there are some creative and clever ways to cut down the cost on children’s school supplies. Here are five helpful hacks for parents to consider:



1. Utilize Bulk Discounts. Many of the larger retail stores offer discounted rates for bulk orders. If a parent knows that they will going to be buying supplies for multiple children, it may be beneficial to check out bulk discounts to find the best deals.



2. Buy Last Year’s Models. Many companies offer discounted prices on last year’s models. While some of these items may have a slightly outdated look, they typically offer the same performance as the latest model, and at a fraction of the cost.



3. Compare Prices Online. Many online retailers often offer cheaper prices than the traditional stores. Additionally, shopping online can save parents the time and hassle of visiting multiple stores to find the best deals.



4. Buy Generic Brands. Instead of buying name-brand items, look for generic alternatives at discount stores. In many cases, these items offer the same quality level as their branded versions.



5. Buy Used Supplies. If a parent is looking for items such as textbooks, calculators, and other electronically powered items, then consider purchasing them from a used book store or website. Used supplies not only come at a fraction of the cost of new ones, but they also offer the same quality of performance.



By following these five helpful hacks, parents can significantly reduce the cost of their children’s school supplies. With careful planning and a little bit of research, parents can avoid unnecessary expenses and save money in preparation for the upcoming school year.