I see the notebooks and the pencils coming out again so it's almost SCHOOL TIME! We all know that those little supply costs can add up so let's motivate each other to find the best deals and prepare the kids frugally.

• Do you have a spending budget?
• Do you have a list to follow?
• What are the challenges you face in buying supplies cheaply?

 

OH BOY SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!!!

sorry i loves me some school supplies!

what i have gotten in the last week (these have been purchased with the "overage" of coupons)

20 notebooks @ 5 cents each ----last year i bought 20 and it wasnt enough for our use, planning on getting another 20-40 of them before school starts

2 packs of 8 ct pencils @ 1 cent each ----i pick up pencils at walgreens too but out of the clearance section to make sure my item to coupon ratio is correct(using walgreens  register rewards) so with the 2 packs of 8, and the other random 20 pencils ive gotten over the summer so far, we will need more because i donate them as needed to school as well

4 packs of bic pens (these were 2/1.00 at rite aid, and i found coupons for 1.00/2 ) will get more of these especially if i can find another way to print a few coupons for them---wont let me on my printer as ive already printed my 2 limit it allows

2 double packs of glue sticks @ 22 cents each----will need at least another 10 more double packs, as last year i bought each kid 6 for school, andthey both needed 8 more glue sticks for the year

2 boxes of crayons @ 25 cents each----will need at least  10  of these as i use them for impromtu bday gifts, stocking stuffers, easter basket stuffers and i cant get them the rest of the year this low----last year i got 10 and that wasnt enough between the kids, me and gifts, so im aiming for 20 this year

2 10 ct fine line markers @ 88 cents each---i will need another 4 fine line ones (i use the fine line markers for writing everything, cheaper then the ultra fine point sharpies i like to use) and will need 6 bold line ones as well

10 2 pocket pronged folders @ 1 cent each----i should have gotten more of these @ that price, but i didnt make it up to staples again, i think thats enough for home use, but the kids are going to need some too

4 1 inch binders @ 25 cents each---will need a few more of these, i think i only need 6 more(some of them will be "converted" to picture albums for xmas)

this is what ive gotten so far, we dont have a list yet, but i hate waiting for the last minute to get school supplies, i get what i can as i can (this week it was using the pg insert coupons for $3/2 head and shoulders (good on ANY) and gettign the trial sized ones for 97 cents each---so for every 2 i got i had 1.06 towards other school supplies)

and since i do ALL the shopping, i include school supplies in my weekly budget for groceries(my food /household budget is 60 aweek, so ive kinda "pilfered" $5 for school supplies each week)

the kids backpacks are still good from last year, and i didnt get them any clearanced ones last year, so im planning on having them use thier existing backpacks at least till xmas time, because im going to try and find a few clearanced backpacks to give for xmas this year

Speaking as a teacher in a low-income area - stock up now, and don't give your kids all their supplies at once.  They are cheaper during the school sales by far than they will ever be the rest of the year - but if you give your kids everything now, you'll have to replace at least some of it later (paper, pencils, spirals, etc.) - because most kids will not be able to keep track of a year's worth of supplies for an entire year.  Store it someplace and give them more when they ask for it - I buy bunches of stuff at the school sales every year because many of the kids at my school come from very low income families, and once the supplies they get for the beginning of the year (if they get any at all) are gone, that's it; there's no money to buy any more.  I used to sell supplies for whatever they cost me... but I quit doing that when a parent sent me an IOU for a quarter; she wouldn't have it until she got paid the end of the week - so I just buy a bunch of stuff and take it as a tax write-off.  The school gets a lot of supplies donated as well - but it's not enough, even so.  Remember that the list the school sends home is supposed to be enough for a year - but spirals will get filled, paper will get used, and pencils (mechanical or wood) will break, wear out or wear down, and get lost.  Buy extras while they're cheap.

I am trying to determine what I need for a year of standard supplies...I have no idea, GRR!

 

Brandy:

I am trying to determine what I need for a year of standard supplies...I have no idea, GRR!

 

It depends on the age of the child.  Most schools send their lists to local stores so that parents have a reference for what to purchase when they get there - and remember, most school supplies don't go bad.  Markers, once open, can dry out - but otherwise, they last a good long time; the same for glue and glue sticks.  Other than that - the worst thing that will happen with most school supplies if you overbuy is you'll have extra for next year.  And many school supplies can substitute for office supplies at need; I mean, a pencil is a pencil, no matter where you buy it.

Well, my DD is only in preschool, but we get asked to help with things like baby wipes; clorox/lysol wipes; hand sanitizer; 1 of the holiday parties (that means all the food, supplies, goodies, games, etc. for 12-15 kids for whatever theme we happen to sign up for); hand soap; etc.  I save coupons and buy things when I can get them cheap/free throughout the year.  Then I just take from my stash for the teacher as she needs a particular item for her classroom.

I prefer to do the harvest party if I can get it b/c $ is always tighter around Christmas and DD's birthday (near the Easter/spring party and St. Patrick's Day).  I normally provide a sweet treat for the party (cupcakes are easiest and rather cheap if you buy rather "plain" ones and add a plastic ring for decoration yourself), a healthy treat, and 100% fruit juice boxes.  I do a game or simple craft with a guarenteed prize for each participant.  I don't mind doing goody bags with a couple of toys, but I prefer not to send home a lot of candy, maybe just one piece of something universally acceptable like a lollipop or candy jewelry.  As soon as I know which party I'm doing I start looking for items for the party and buy one or two things a month so the pinch isn't so great.

karenteacher:

Most schools send their lists to local stores so that parents have a reference for what to purchase when they get there

As a home educator, I have the luxury of determining what we will use. The problem I am having is determining how much will be used over a year. I have a 13 and a 5 year old that I am schooling. I quite forgot how much glue, construction paper and crayons a younger child can use, LOL!

 

Just wanted to mention Staples has penny sales running from Sundays to Wednesdays. Its a different set of items every week for a penny.  This week it was 8 packs of pencils, 2 pocket folders and 6.5 oz. bottles of Purel hand sanitizer. They also have 3 ring binders for $.25 this week. There's a limit, I think 10 of each item.

Those are good deals. I don't have a nearby Staples but I hope your post means someone else gets to save big.

 

Brandy:

Those are good deals. I don't have a nearby Staples but I hope your post means someone else gets to save big.

 

 

do you at least get the staples add in your sunday paper? i get targets add in my paper even though i dont have a target, but walmartwill match any advertised price, so thats an option if you at least get the add in the paper