With what I have going on, I am tossing out a quick and easy challenge for now..

 It's the time of year when school supplies are on sale and we are thinking of new clothes and packing lunches. Track what you spend on books and supplies...yes, this one is for anyone who has to buy supplies for education. And if you are only shopping for office/desk supplies, let us know how well you did with the sales!

And don't forget to add how many children you have.

Homeschooling three children...

I have spent $10 on school supplies so far. Wal-mart had sales on paper and notebooks. I also bought lined writing paper for penmanship.  

 Home office ~  10 double pocket folders  10 cents  No kids

10 packages of 3HP paper for printing non-crucial documents; spent after rebates approximately $5.

Back to school sales haven't started here yet! Since this is my first year of school (dd is going to kindergarten and first year of preschool for ds) and the school says they buy in bulk and pass the savings to us so pay them for supplies (we will see!). I haven't bought supplies yet. I did get a great deal from the childrens place sale - 2 cute tshirts for $2.99 for my daughter.

 I did buy a blues clues backpack from a thrift store and my daughter received a hello kitty one as a gift. We have a new thomas train one that someone gave us in the closet for my son too so we are set for backpacks.  I bought clothes, shoes etc from a friend for an awesome deal so she has winter boots, coat etc. My son has lots of jackets waiting for him that people have given us. Plus some hand me downs from his sister ( unisex blues clues).

 Michelle, what are you using the folders for...if you don't mind sharing. Maybe it will give others some cheap ideas to share uses that are non school ones.

 I use them for specific receipts, like grocery, medical, etc. to track not only weekly but for yearly taxes. 

I use the for recipes I want to make within the next two weeks.

I have one sitting on my desk marked "medical papers necessary". In our area they mail you all the blank paperwork to fill out prior to your appointment, with both of us seeing doctors almost daily we can grab the folders and have everything done before we leave.

As we unpack I keep track of papers we do not want to shred prior to filing appropriately.

I keep two for the cars for mapquest maps, directions to anywhere, etc.

I have one in the kitchen to hold take out menu's.

As I peruse thru magazines and catalougs, I seek ideas for our remodels, crafts, spcial articles, etc., and I keep them in a folder.

If I need copies of anything they go into one specfic color folder so I can make one trip.

On errand day I take one folder with all my lists in it so I know what and where we are doing.

I keep one in the Volvo filled with restaurant coupons and directions in case we stop for a meal.

I have one posted at either door with all our emergency information for evacuation, and they have a short list of things to grab on the way out, meds, pillows, photo albums, pets/crates, personal hygienne items, family address book, extra batteries for cell phones, etc.

 **The others I keep stacked in my bookshelf.....just in case!  ; )
 

I added 3 large packages of 3HP paper this morning for another $2. (Half of my prior buys were large packages, & half were smaller)  I expecgt to see more sales on it for the next 2 weeks.

The tax free weekend started here today.  I went and got the last of my 2 DS's school supplies.  I have spent approximatly $140.00.  I purchased book covers, pens, pencil sharpeners (a couple manual ones and an electric one for my DS 18 to take to college) erasers, folders, report covers,crayons,  page protectors, tab dividers, dictionary, thesaursus, binders, notebook paper, expandable file, white out, lunch box for DS 13, hand sanitizer, paper towels, tissues, steno books (for my use),blank CD's,and a  computer network cable.  I had some items left over from last year that we will also use. 

Shellia

Today bought things, at Walmart-

oldest dd, a pair of scissors, ds, two packs men's underwear, socks, a bigger lunch box. dd #2- two shirts, a notebook, dd#3- uniform pair of pants and uniform shoes, a metal Dora lunchbox, underwear, another pair of shoes,uniform socks  dd #4- underwear, school shoes, sandals as hers broke on Monday, and a lunchbox, although she doesn't need it until first grade, next year, dd #5 underwear for toilet-training- dd #6- nothing.  Also bought dh and myself underwear- and a hot food carrier that looks like a crayon for the kids to share.  Total $146. 22 underwear and 20 pair socks total- I love Walmart.

Got dd #1 her 4 prescriptions, she can now refill at Walmart- $78.  The inhaler was $46 with health insurance, that seems high.  

Tracy