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It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
School starts back up this month and it’s time to trade in the all-day footie pajamas for freshly ironed polos and khakis. Parents across the country are in their last-ditch efforts to purchase school supplies, uniforms, and goodies to ensure their little darlings have everything they need to conquer the world from day one (and NOT have to look back). However, the process of “suiting-up” your child for their first day in the academic world is not always an easy or cheap one – especially if done in the final hour. Here are some tips to get ready for Back to School the right way – stress free and on a budget.
Supply Sweep
You might already have plenty of school supplies lying around your own house. Gather all of the office and school supplies you already own, put them in a central location, and make a list of what you have. Text yourself the list and take a photo of what you already have so both are on hand when you go shopping!
Check the Dollar Store(s)
$1 Holla! There are incredible bargains here on school supplies for basics like notebooks, pencils, pens and folders as well as classroom supplies like tissues, hand sanitizer, and batteries. Dollar stores like Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and Big Lots also have bargain prices for minor electronics such as USB jump drives, tablet covers, head phones and calculators.
Follow Stores on Social Media
Back to School season is a high selling priority for a lot of retail giants: especially in the clothing industry. Companies will market to both new and current customers by sending loyalty coupons via email and posting upcoming sale promotions via their social media. Here are some stores you can follow that are known for their quality products at reasonable season prices:
Clothing: Supplies:
JCPenney’s: Site| Instagram Amazon: Site| Instagram
Kohl’s: Site| Instagram Best Buy: Site| Instagram
Old Navy: Site| Instagram Michael’s: Site| Instagram
Target: Site| Instagram Office Depot / Max: Site| Instagram
Wal-Mart: Site| Instagram Staples: Site| Instagram
Out with the Old, In with the New
If your clothes and items from last season are in good condition, sell them and use the money towards clothing and supplies for back to school! You can buy and sell in person at shops like Plato’s Closet/Clothes’ Mentor or have your own garage sale and rake in 100% of the profit. You can also buy and sell online with resale apps like Letgo, Ebay, Poshmark, and OfferUp just to name a few.
Use Your Coups and Apps Accordingly
The best part of shopping in 2018 is that not only are there more coupons than ever, but 9 times out of 10 they’re digital – and readilyavailable at your fingertips! Along with the coupons you can find in your Sunday paper and mailer booklets, search through your emails for newly sent offers and check out sites such as RetailMeNot for saver codes. Below is a list of free apps that also offer coupons, and in some cases, possibilities of money back for purchased items.
Krazy Coupon Lady: Apple | Android Ibotta: Apple | Android
Cartwheel: Apple | Android Shopmium: Apple | Android
Checkout51: Apple | Android
Hopefully these tips can help make your “Back to School” process as smooth as possible. In the meantime, enjoy the return to a regulated schedule of playing, eating, and bedtime and relax while you can – winter break will be here before you know it and it’ll be “Back to School” Vol. 2.
Articles used for reference:
https://www.moneycrashers.com/back-to-school-supplies-list-tips/
https://www.moneycrashers.com/ebay-selling-tips-maximize-profits/
https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/16-proven-ways-for-shopping-back-to-school-on-a-budget-21606
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