Back to School Bargains!

While I know it might seem early, it is August next week.  Time flies and it will be September and back-to-school time before you know it!

Over the last 2 years, the average cost of back-to-school supplies has increased by a total of 24%!  The National Retail Federation reports that over 50% of consumers already have a head start on back-to-school supply shopping, even at this early date.  They predict that parents expect to spend 10% less this year for a total of almost $600 per child.

For “Financial Wave” readers that number is too high!  So take a look at these 9 “Back to School” tips before spending the big money;

1. Make a List Then Check Your House First: Go through all closets, utility drawers, and storage areas first.  You might already have many of the needed items or substitutes left over from last year.
2. Go to the Dollar Store Next: It is the next best place to buy items before shopping online and/or at the major department stores.
3. Dollar General: Different neighborhoods have different types and names of dollar stores.  Currently, ‘Dollar General” has $1 deals on scissors, colored pencils, paper and folders, etc.
4. Google Coupons for Online Purchases:  There are many places to search, like “Groupon” for online coupons and of course, free shipping.
5. Target: There are good deals to be had with lunchboxes under $10 and some as low as $5 each.
6. Kohl’s: They are running sales for kids back to school tee shirts as low as $5 each and denim jeans under $30.
7. JC Penney: They have a sale on Adidas backpacks with “Black Friday’ type pricing at 23% off.  See below for even better backpack deals at Walmart.
8. Walmart: They have a clothing line called “Wonder Nation” that has very low prices such as 16-inch laptop backpacks for $10 and boy’s slip-on sneakers for $10 and girls’ tee shirts for $5.   Go to www.Walmart.com and you will see the “Wonder Nation” line of deeply discounted clothing. 
9. Best Buy: They are offering $300 off Microsoft Surface Tablets and Chrome Books for as low as $149.

Go to www.GoodMorningAmerica.com website for their 50% off discounts.  For the more expensive designer clothing (when kids do the please Mom/Dad all my friends are wearing the “IT” new style) I recommend waiting until after school starts.  This way you/your children can see specifically what is “IN” for the fall of 2023 and perhaps time the Labor Day sale season accordingly.

For the “Financial Wave,” super savvy shopper who shops off-season and is done with back-to-school, Crate and Barrel is running a Christmas sale offering 50%-67% off for Christmas-based items.   As they say with Lotto, “Hey, you never know!”