Want to know how to save on back-to-school shopping? Don’t buy pre-sharpened pencils. For eight years, Ticonderoga’s pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils have been my personal nemesis. They are a superior product, for sure, but finding and paying for the pre-sharpened ones is a tough pill to swallow. So, this year, I bought the unsharpened ones to save a buck, and my husband cranked out 48 on our manual pencil sharpener in the garage. Bless him and his blisters.
Back-to-school shopping is a necessity, but it can be a real budget-buster. Last year, the National Retail Federation estimated families with children in elementary through high school would spend, on average, $890 per household. Oof. Want your total to come in waaaay lower than that? Here’s how to save on back-to-school shopping with 10 of my favorite ideas.
1. Shop at home first.
Check junk drawers and random boxes in your home office space. Chances are you have leftover supplies from last year or a used folder or notebook that has another year left in it.
2. Reuse last year’s backpack or lunchbox.
This might not be an opinion if your child’s backpack is threadbare and his lunchbox has a tinge of “What’s that smell?” But a washing machine cycle might bring new life into these pricey line items. Try stretching last year’s bags to January to lessen the blow of back-to-school spending. I mean, what kid doesn’t want to get a new backpack for Christmas?
3. Use DIY locker decorations.
If your child has locker privileges, don’t buy a pre-made locker kit. Hit the dollar store for colorful paper, magnets, and stickers. Let your child unleash her creativity and personalize her locker space for a fraction of the cost.
4. Shop secondhand for electronics.
If your child needs a calculator or other electronic device, consider buying a gently used one from online marketplaces. You can find solid deals on perfectly functional electronics. Just be sure to check the condition carefully before buying.
5. Agree with your child on one splurge item.
My son and I both held pencil cases in our hands. Mine was solid green canvas. His was covered in Pop-Its. I said, “That one is four dollars more. Do you really want it?” Surprise! He really wanted it. Shopping with kids who love school supplies can be a lot of fun, but agree before you go that they get one and only one “splurge” item. This can help teach a valuable lesson in self-control and prioritizing.
6. Team up to buy in bulk.
My mom texted from Costco, “Great price on a 150 pack of pencils!” While my kids do lose pencils as if there are holes in their backpacks, I don’t need quite that many. But you can reap the cost benefits of buying in bulk by shopping with other families. Ask the moms of your child’s classmates if anyone wants to go in on supplies. You can research price breaks through online retailers, purchase for the group, and divvy up the cost.
7. Take advantage of discounts through digital resources.
Follow your favorite brands and retailers on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to their email and text alerts. You’ll get word of flash sales, and most retailers offer a discount for joining their loyalty program.
And practice patience. Sign in when you add stuff to your shopping cart, then wait a couple of days before purchasing. Many retailers will automatically send you an extra discount to get you to purchase!
How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping for the Closet
8. Host a hand-me-down party.
Say your daughter’s unicorn backpack is in mint condition, but her love of unicorns has tarnished. You could donate it, or you could bring it and a stack of outgrown clothes to a hand-me-down party. Gather friends, neighbors, and school families with kids of a variety of ages. Everyone brings gently used clothes (or backpacks) and swaps for treasures. It’s recycling, reusing, and saving money, all wrapped up in a fun afternoon.
9. Try consignment before shopping for new clothes.
Consignment should be your next stop if you come up short at the hand-me-down party. Thanks to cost and sustainability concerns, the resale industry is growing, so your town probably has a store or two, or you can shop at an online resale store like thredUP.
10. Make a deal with your kids.
“Mom, what was the Stanley of your day?” my son asked. I responded bluntly, “There were cool shoes or scrunchies we all wanted, but we didn’t consume as much as everyone does now.” It’s true. Kids are always asking for the latest water bottle, jeans, or moisturizer. So, make a deal with them. Agree on the dollar amount you’ll put toward an item. Anything over that, they cover.
What’s your favorite school supply from when you were a kid?
