We're all heading back to school – even if it is virtual – and the need for supplies won't be changing. Buying binders, notebooks, pens, and other supplies always adds up but there are ways for Monterey Bay area parents to save money.
- Take stock. Before even checking the year's supply list, go through what you have on hand, discarding broken and unusable items. Don't limit your sweep for supplies to your child's study area, look through all of the drawers and storage spaces throughout the house. Now, check the school list to see where you have gaps. Do NOT just grab the school supply list and head to the store–you'll spend way too much money and end up with more clutter.
- Shop early. By starting your shopping early, you can space out the purchases and buy when things are on sale. Taking a quick look at local store ads, we saw sales on glue (25¢ for a small bottle of Elmer's White Glue at Target) and notebooks (25¢ for either college or wide ruled notebooks at Staples) this week. Skip the other items enticing you in the stationery aisle and just grab a few of each needed sale item. Stores put those items on sale assuming you'll come in for the discounted stuff and leave with a bunch of other things. Don't fall for it–buy the sale items only.
- Shop later. That's right, the opposite advice! You don't need everything on back to school lists on the first day and some of the best sales starts after school begins. If you don't absolutely need something you haven't been able to find on sale, wait it out. It will happen. Also, big ticket items like laptops go on sale later in the year. If you can hold out, wait it out.
- Don't ignore dollar and discount stores. Poster board, organizational supplies like bins and baskets, bulletin board decorations and more are at a deep discount at dollar stores. Make a quick stop your first outing to see what you can get cheaply there before heading to your regular stores.
- Team up. Can you combine needs with a friend or relative (assuming socially distancing is in place) and buy in bulk? Getting giant boxes of pencils, pens, or sanitizer and splitting among two or three families may make financial sense and lessen the number of shopping trips you each have to make.
- Check crafts stores like Michaels and Joannes. Sign up for their emails and you'll get weekly coupons. While they rarely discount stationery items like tape and pencils, using a 40 or 50% off coupon to buy a pack of pens or markers can add up to big savings quickly. It's especially useful if you pair this with tip #1 by shopping early. Each time you're in the neighborhood, drop in to get one item using a coupon.
- Shop with a list but be open to good deals. Kids are always going to need crayons, bottles of glue, and small rulers. When you see a good deal, stock up and put it in a storage cabinet only you have access to enter. When your child comes to you with a box of broken crayons the day before a big project is due, you can refresh their supplies without having to pay full price.