Back to school supplies are getting more expensive with schools demanding the need for technology like memory sticks, laptops, apps, etc… On top of that you still have to buy pens, paper, pencils, binders, books and everything else like clothing and lunch packs. Even though you need more for back to school now than you did a few years ago, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to get everything you need. Here are 5 money saving tips for making back to school shopping affordable and even fun.
1. Use comparison sites for the products you want.
It doesn’t matter if it’s kids pajamas or shoes and clutches for a college student. Your kids will want new clothes for back to school. Instead of going to expensive department stores which you hate or discount stores which they may not like, try shopping at boutique mom and pop shops and search comparison shopping engines that sell clothing at discounts. You can find a million deals online with smaller stores like kids footed pajamas kids footed pajamas and even Prada handbags by using sites like Shopwiki or Hawkee.com for electronics. Not only will you save money by seeing who has what products at which prices, but your kids will be happy because they’ll have clothing and accessories that they’ll love.
2. Check coupon sites for extra savings
If you already know the sites that you want to shop from, start at a coupon site like FlamingoWorld.com and look for the coupons that that store has available. You can also join their newsletter to get new coupons sent to you by email daily. Coupon sites can be a great way to get extra savings.
3. Check out free sample sites
If you don’t want to do either of those, or you have a few extra minutes, check out sites for free samples like JustFreeStuff.com where you can find honest and legit free samples of everything from peanut butter to diapers and even school supplies like pens and lunch packs.
4. Shop Amazon
Amazon is amazing for saving on back to school supplies. What I do when I shop here is create a list of things I need and then set up three columns and place the names of stores at the top of each of the three. Then I place the price of each item from these stores on amazon next to each item (including the shipping cost) and add them up. Then when I have the list completed I know which store will help me save the most money. One other trick you can use is to look for everything when Amazon ships it since they have free shipping offers.
5. Go to a tradeshow or expo hall.
It may sound weird, but if you have friends who go to trade shows or conferences, have them pick up memory sticks, pens and notepads for you. Advertisers need to get rid of these things so they are happy when you take a few. Have your friends pick them up and you’ll be saving money on back to school supplies.
Back to school is expensive if you don’t know how to save online. By thinking of a few ways to save like free sample sites, boutique stores instead of department stores and creating lists of products and prices you can make back to school more affordable. You can also use your friends and their work to help you pick up school supplies for your kids when they are on their work trips.
About the author:
Mary is a frugal diva who loves to help people save money. Whether it is traveling or groceries, she has tips for saving money on everything.
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I'm Elizabeth, a 40-something Michigan wife and mother of three. I created Table for Five in 2005 as a way to connect with other Moms, and I've been blogging ever since. Please click the About tab at the top of the page to read more about me and my family! email: table4five@gmail.com
I have two kids. They want to have the same school supplies. It’s sure costly. I think your tips really helped for save my money, thank you for sharing.
Twitter: MIKARMANO
I buy all supplies for my kid on internet, I look, I found… We can always find reduction coupons. But I have never bought on amazon, I would look the next time !!
Greetings of France !!
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Thank you for sharing this tips! very helpful.
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Like your site. My thanks for taking the time. I’ll come here to find out more and inform my people about it.
Well written. Thanks for writing that. I will check to this site to read more and tell my friends about this website.