| There are lots of ways to save money on school | | | | up the school supplies easily once they are all |
| supplies for your children each Fall, but the most | | | | purchased. As follows... |
| important factors for saving a bundle here are | | | | * * |
| planning and patience. Yes, that's right, I said | | | | 24-count crayons |
| patience. And I don't mean just a normal amount | | | | R-1, D-1 |
| of patience, but the bargain shopping patience | | | | * * * |
| every frugal parent must possess. | | | | Filler paper |
| * * * | | | | R-2, D-1 |
| You're going to need it when trying to squeeze | | | | * * |
| your way through a very crowded department | | | | 2 pocket folders |
| store aisle (filled with a few dozen other parents | | | | R-1, D-1 |
| hunting for school supplies). However, you're only | | | | * |
| there just to purchase 10 packages of notebook | | | | 1 subject notebooks |
| filler paper - that's on sale for 10 cents each. Then | | | | D-1 |
| you'll squeeze your way back out of the aisle and | | | | * * |
| head for the cashier. That's a bargain no frugal | | | | 3 subject notebooks |
| parent can pass up, and 10 packages should last | | | | R-2 |
| the entire year, maybe even for two. | | | | This may seem a little complicated, but I'm telling |
| {Editor's note: It's always okay to stock up on a | | | | you it worked like a charm! You can create |
| good sale, but we should also be respectful that | | | | whatever kind of list works for you, the main |
| other people need the sale items too. So just | | | | point is that you get all the school supplies listed |
| take what you think you'll need and leave some | | | | on 1 sheet of paper, so you're not fumbling |
| for others. Unless of course there's only 1 left, in | | | | through a handful of papers as you go to each |
| that case, grab it as fast as you can and run!} | | | | store. And that they be organized in a way that |
| Now, after conquering the notebook filler paper | | | | when you come home with all the supplies you'll |
| mission, you will get back into your car and drive | | | | know who gets what. |
| to another store down the street for 6 packages | | | | Step 2: Gather up all the store sales flyers and |
| of 24-count crayons that are priced at 19 cents | | | | make a master Store Sales list of the items |
| each. (Now repeat after me: "I will not, for any | | | | you're interested in. You can even include clothes |
| reason whatsoever, pick up the crayons that are | | | | and other items that might be on sale as well. I |
| on sale at the first store for 40 cents!" Well, | | | | can't give you an example of my Store Sales list |
| unless the other store is an hour away. And in | | | | or we'd be here all day, the paper was filled from |
| that case, maybe you can combine the trip with | | | | top to bottom. You'll want to block off sections |
| some other errands so it will still be cost | | | | of the paper so that you can easily see at a |
| effective.) | | | | glance which store has which items on sale. And |
| You see, most parents do exactly what the | | | | then... |
| stores want us to do. They go to either the | | | | Step 3: Go through your new master Sales List |
| store with the mega-paper sale, or the store with | | | | and highlight the best sales! Don't cross anything |
| the mega-crayon sale, and then they purchase | | | | off though, some stores may run out of the |
| everything else that's on their supply list from the | | | | lowest bargain priced items and you'll have to opt |
| same store. Needless to say, that's how they | | | | for the second lowest price... and if you're only |
| make money, and that's how parents miss the | | | | going to save a few pennies from one store to |
| remaining school supply bargains that can be | | | | the next, go for it. By having a detailed master |
| purchased at other stores. | | | | Sale List, you'll be able to make a decision on the |
| Me? Well I guess I must have a lot of patience. I | | | | spot, and get the best or almost best deal for |
| shopped at 5 different stores and saved a | | | | any school supply item in town! |
| fortune on school supplies, for all 4 of our children. | | | | Step 4: Take your two new lists with you to |
| If I had the time to gather up my receipts and | | | | each store. You'll use the Sales List to know what |
| show you how much money I saved I would | | | | to buy while you're at each store, and you can |
| probably qualify for a Bargain Shopper Award! At | | | | refer to the School Supplies list to get the right |
| least that's what I kept telling myself each day I | | | | quantity. Keeping in mind that after Christmas the |
| came home and collapsed from shopping | | | | teachers will likely be sending notes home for |
| exhaustion. | | | | more pencils, paper, glue and Kleenex. |
| So, for those of you who would like to try my | | | | Now, that's how to bargain shop for school |
| School Supply Bargain Shopping plan - here's how | | | | supplies! |
| I did it without losing my sanity... | | | | Additional Tips: |
| Items needed: | | | | * Backpacks - Most importantly they need to last |
| School supply list(s) - from the school(s) | | | | for more than one year, so don't buy the |
| Store sale advertisements - from the Sunday | | | | cheapest thing out there. And keep in mind that |
| paper | | | | as children get into the higher grades they will |
| A regular sized notebook or pad of paper (or a | | | | have more books and therefore need larger |
| few sheets of paper will do) | | | | bookbags. I'd say around 5th and 6th grade is |
| Pen or pencil | | | | when they need the larger bags. Most of the |
| Step 1: Sit at a table with good lighting. Gather all | | | | department stores sell bookbags, including office |
| the school supply lists in front of you and put | | | | supply stores and sports stores. Stay away from |
| them in a single stack. (Now if you have only one | | | | current themed backpacks, like fad movies and |
| child this will be a piece of cake and you can skip | | | | cartoons, they may hold up great but next year |
| this step!) Take the pad of paper and write at the | | | | the child will want a new one. Better to stick with |
| top, School Supplies. Now start with the first | | | | basic colors that are always current. |
| supply list and write the items down the middle of | | | | * Clothes and Shoes - Never pay full price, never! |
| your new supply list. Then put a line or a | | | | Shop the sales, and when items go on sale a |
| checkmark off to the side for each item needed, | | | | week later, go back to the store and ask for a |
| so that after you've gone through all the supply | | | | refund for the difference. The best way to save |
| lists, you'll know exactly how many you need to | | | | on school clothes is of course graciously accepting |
| purchase. Example below... | | | | hand-me-downs... train your children from early on |
| * * | | | | that there's nothing wrong with wearing gently |
| 24-count crayons | | | | used clothing and it will save you another fortune! |
| * * * | | | | Consignment stores are also an option but often |
| Filler paper | | | | you can find better quality clothes on clearance |
| * * | | | | sale at the department stores for just a little bit |
| 2 pocket folders | | | | more. And if the clothes hold up longer (because |
| * | | | | they are better made or just newer), especially if |
| 1 subject notebooks | | | | you have your own children you'll be handing them |
| * * | | | | down to later on, go for the better quality. You |
| 3 subject notebooks | | | | may spend an extra few dollars now, but you'll |
| Next, if you have more than one child, enter a | | | | save even more when the younger child can |
| notation on the right hand side if you'd like, using | | | | wear it again. |
| the child's first initial, that will assist you in dividing | | | | |