How to Save Money on School Supplies

Does buying back to school supplies leave you feeling broke? It doesn't have to. Though school supplies can be pricey, there are definitely ways to save on their costs.  With all this extra money saved, you can even finance education much easier.

Photo by FamilyGivingTree

So, what are these money saving tips?  Continue reading below to find out!

Saving on your Children’s School Supplies:
1. Reuse old school supplies. Well, you can save a lot of money of you re-use some old school supplies instead of buying brand new ones. For instance, slightly used pens and markers, rulers, calculators, and notebooks can still be usable. You can simply repair or mix and match your old school bags instead of getting another expensive backpack for school. You can just identify the items which you can still make use and just buy the ones which are no longer available.

2. Buy cheaper but good quality materials. Another way you can save on school supplies is to buy items wisely. For instance, try to compare prices when you go to the department store or bookstore. Get only the best buys – the ones which are cheaper but are made of good quality. Make sure they’re durable so that your child can use them for a long time. Otherwise, you will just be wasting your money away instead of saving it.

3. Watch out for sales. You have to be alert and watch out for sales in your local bookstore or department store. Sometimes, malls would also have a back to school sale so you can take advantage of that. You will be able to save as much as fifty percent on school supplies and even get free samples. Keep yourself updated of monthly sales too so you can grab the opportunity to buy school supplies.

4. Be updated of tax-free holidays. Try to check whether your State implements a tax-free holiday. In some areas, this is usually observed when school is about to begin. This way, you can save money on your school supplies.

5. Make a list of items and stick to your budget. Finally, you can save money if you just stick to your budget. Make a list of the items you need before heading for the nearest department store. Refer to your list and avoid buying items that are not included there. Sometimes, we tend to buy impulsively and this would result to overspending. So watch out for that.

The author Lauren is a freelancer and consultant. If you would like to learn more about getting a grant, be sure to visit www.grant-applications.org