8 Back to School $$$ Saving Tips

As we begin the 2022-2023 school year during what I call “The Covid-19 Era,” there is some uncertainty and trepidation.  Some schools are commencing this week, others will start the following, and others after Labor Day Weekend.

No matter when it starts for your student(s), there is one thing that is a certainty, our students will continue to be schooled and they will need school supplies this year and going forward. 

Like many things, back-to-school shopping is a habit.  Some are efficient habits, and some should be broken.  With the evolution of the internet, Covid-19, and the closing of many malls and brick-and-mortar stores, buying habits have changed for many parents and grandparents.

Regardless of your habits, there are always things to learn, new habits to form, and ways to save money on these annual expenses.  Review my top 8 money-saving tips and perhaps start a new habit:

1. Make a List, Then Shop Your House First:  Look through closets, storage, and utility drawers first.  There is a possibility you might have items left over from the last school year.
2. Craft a Budget:  It is always a good idea to have a price range that you are willing to spend.  Keep the list with you when you are shopping either online or in person.
3. Consider Setting Up a Gift Closet or Large Draw: A client shared this tip with me as she showed me how she turned a little used hallway foyer closet into a gift closet.  She buys many offseason gifts early at a deep discount and has saved big $$$ over the years.
4. Check Out the Dollar Store First:  Before going to the big online and mega-retailers, there is a chance your local dollar store will have the items you are looking for at a discount.  Dollar stores often buy excess lots or last year’s leftovers in bulk at a big discount and pass some of their savings on to you.
5. Consider a Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet: For online shopping, it is prudent to use the bigger screen to review and compare prices.  In addition, although smartphones have many good apps, there are discount and coupon-finding extensions that can be added to your computer (especially if you use google chrome) to save you major search time.  See Tip #6.
6. Consider Adding the Honey Google Chrome Extension to Your Computer: On your laptop, desktop, Ipad, or another tablet, click www.JoinHoney.com and add the Free extension.  This extension (not for phones) automatically searches for the best prices (often less than eBay and Amazon) and you are notified immediately before “check-out!”  There are other extensions such as Capital-One, that you can use, although some are better than others.
7. If You Use Amazon, Consider Camel, Camel, Camel:  The big four (Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay) account for most internet sales.  If you are a loyal Amazon user, consider Camel, Camel, Camel. (CCC) Camel is an Amazon price tracker.  Find the product you are interested in buying, then cut and paste the URL into CCC to look up the item’s price history and/or add it to your price watch list.  If this is too complicated, go back to #6!
8. Consider Holding Off Buying Trendier Gear:  It is advantageous to wait a few weeks after school starts to see what are the “in” styles.  Sometimes kids are wrong, so it is better to wait instead of trying to anticipate the hip new clothes and sneaker trends.

Heed these 8 tips and watch your savings grow!   I wish you and your families a safe and productive school year!