Summer is coming to an end and that back-to-school feeling is in the air. For parents with school-aged children, that means it’s time for back-to-school shopping. Between purchasing new school supplies and clothes for your children, this can be a financially stressful time. Here are six ways to save money while making sure your kids have everything they need to start the school year off right:
Evaluate What You Already Have
Before doing any shopping, take stock of what you already have. Perhaps you have some binders, notebooks, pens, pencils, or art supplies left over from last year that are still in good condition. Maybe last year’s backpack and lunch box are usable for another year. Check those items against your “to buy” list and cross off anything that you don’t need to purchase again right now.
Get What You Can Used (Or For Free)
This is best for clothes or even backpacks. Kids grow fast and you may have some friends or neighbors who are getting rid of clothes that no longer fit their child but could fit yours. You can also find secondhand clothing at thrift stores, consignment stores, and Facebook Marketplace. Join your local Buy Nothing group to keep an eye out for needed items or request them directly with an “in search of” (aka “ISO”) post.
Pay Attention to Deals and Coupons
Most big box stores have major back-to-school sales. Check their online circulars to see which one has the best deals on notebooks, pens, binders, etc. You may need to shop at multiple stores to get the best deals. If you are shopping online, you can use browser extensions like Honey to find and enter coupon codes for you.
Order Online or Leave the Kids at Home
If you don’t want to deal with in-store tantrums over buying the plain binder when your child wants the one with their favorite movie character on it, leave the kids at home when you do your school supply shopping. Or even better, order online so no one has to go to the store. When you order online, you can also let your child choose between options that you’ve already determined are in your budget. This allows them to pick out things they like without breaking the budget.
Use a Rewards Card
Depending on where you shop, you could get 5% back on all of your back-to-school purchases with a rewards card. Target’s RedCard gives you 5% back on all Target purchases. Those rewards apply whether you are using the Target RedCard credit card, debit card, or reloadable account. The last two options give you the ability to earn the same rewards without signing up for a credit card. Amazon Prime Rewards card gives you 5% back on all Amazon, Whole Foods, and Amazon Fresh purchases with a Prime membership.
Some credit cards also offer money back on purchases through their retail partners, including many big brand name stores. Chase, Capital One, Citi, and Amex all offer cashback on purchases with retail partners. If you have a card with any of these credit card companies, search their offers and activate any useful ones before making purchases.
Choose a Splurge
If you can afford it, budget for a splurge item of your child’s choice. When you are making budget-conscious choices in other areas, this can help keep your kid happy and, most importantly, get them excited for the new school year!
