It’s August & that means it’s time to start getting your kids ready to head back to school! Is your checking account shrinking just thinking about it? Don’t worry – school supplies don’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to help save you money on school supplies:
Request your children’s supply list early: If you do not already receive it at the beginning of the summer, ask to see if you can get it early. This gives you the entire summer to be on the lookout for deals and sales. It also gives you the summer to break your purchases up and spread them out over time, which can ease any financial impact they may have.
Coupons: Starting at the beginning of the summer cut out and save all coupons for school supply items that are in the Sunday coupon inserts - this way you will be prepared for the great sales. Stack those coupons with great sales to maximize your savings and decrease your out of pocket expenses. Often, by stacking coupons with sales, you can get items for 75% off to free!
Sales Ads: Make sure you look through the sale ads for all stores. People tend to do all of their shopping at one store in one trip in an effort to save time, but it may cost you more out of pocket. You may not realize that grocery & drugstores have school supplies & great sales too!
Special store offers: During the summer Target offers many printable store coupons (found at the bottom of their website) that you can stack with manufacturer coupons and/or sales to increase your savings. Don’t forget that Walmart will price match – just bring in a competitor’s sale ad to receive the lower price savings. Staples, Office Max and Office Depot usually offer great rebates on school supplies which in the end can greatly reduce your final out of pocket expenses.
Shop the Sales Tax Holiday: Sales tax will add up faster than you think. Virginia’s School Supply & Clothing Sales Tax Holiday is August 5-7, 2011. During this three-day period purchases of qualifying school supplies selling for $20 or less per item, and purchases of qualifying clothing and footwear selling for $100 or less per item, will be exempt from sales tax.
And finally to help you further save money simply play the waiting game. If your children only need a few items at the very start of school just buy those items and then wait for clearance sales (and use coupons if you have them). This is a great way to save on their clothes, too.
Eleanor is a local #RVA mom, who can be found blogging frugal tips and resources to save you money over at Saving Our Way. You can also find her on Facebook & Twitter
