As I mentioned yesterday, my children go back to school on Thursday, which just seems crazy to me. However, we are now in the whole “last minute” school supply mode, quickly gathering up everything we can find, shopping everywhere we can think of, and just generally trying to save as much money as possible. We have five children after all, and a supply list that covers the front and back of a legal pad size piece of paper!
Besides using what we have already, there are a few other ways we are saving on school supplies this year.
Discount Chains – The obvious place to shop is of course a discount chain, because their low everyday prices seem to drop even lower to sell school supplies. We grabbed glue sticks for $.10, and huge packages of loose leaf paper for $.19.
Dollar Store – Don’t forget the dollar store as a place to locate school supplies. A couple of days ago I saw a 3 subject notebook for what else? A dollar. At our discount chain they are around $1.50. While not everything at the dollar store will be cheaper, because everything is exactly that one dollar, some things come in multiples in one package, and that is where the deal is to be found.
Freecycle – If you’ve never used freecycle.org, try it. Besides notebook, sticky pads, boxes of markers and crayons and plenty of other miscellaneous items, we’ve also picked up clothing for the kids that while its used, is still in style and clean. And best of all, it’s free!
Office Supply Stores – I don’t necessarily recommend doing your shopping at an office supply store, simply because their prices are a bit higher, often they have specials. Two office supply chain stores I know of, have specials throughout the school supply season, where they list a couple of things well below their normal price. Watch the sales ads for that.
Chain Pharmacies – Again, like the office supply stores, you’ll need to watch the sales ads, but often places like these will have a certain set of items on sale well below the normal price. It’s a great way to pick up odds and ends for a lower price.
Watch for an article later today, detailing where not to frugally shop for school supplies in the frugal living blog.
Related Article:
Saving Some Money on School Supplies