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1. Set a Budget Before You Start Spending
👉 In a Nutshell: Plan how much you’ll spend before hitting the stores.
Ever walked into a store thinking you’ll “just grab a few things” and walk out $200 poorer?
Yeah, school shopping is a trap like that 😖
The trick? Set a budget before you even think about buying.
Decide what’s essential, then stick to that number like your life depends on it.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a cart full of overpriced gel pens and a bank account crying for mercy.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Pick Your Budget: Choose a total amount you’re willing to spend and write it down.
Step 2: Break It Down: Split that budget into categories like supplies, clothes, and tech.
Step 3: Track As You Go: Use a notes app or budget tracker to stay on target while shopping.
2. Shop Early to Snag the Best Deals
👉 In a Nutshell: The earlier you shop, the better the deals you’ll find.
Shopping last minute is like trying to buy an umbrella in a rainstorm. You’re paying extra just to survive.
Retailers know desperate parents will grab whatever’s left, so they jack up prices.
😁 But if you shop early, you get the good deals and avoid wrestling another parent for the last $1 notebook.
Bonus: You can spread out your purchases so it doesn’t hit your wallet all at once.
Wait too long, and you’ll be stuck paying $15 for a pack of pencils.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Check Sale Calendars: Stores start back-to-school sales as early as June. Get ahead of the rush.
Step 2: Make a List: Write down what you need so you don’t panic-buy useless stuff.
Step 3: Buy in Phases: Grab deals as you see them instead of buying everything at once.
3. Reuse and Repurpose Last Year’s Supplies
👉 In a Nutshell: Not everything needs to be brand new. Check what you can reuse.
Kids want fresh supplies every year, but guess what? That half-used notebook still works.
Markers, binders, backpacks. They don’t expire, people 👍
Before dropping cash on new stuff, dig through last year’s leftovers.
A little sharpening, a little wiping, and boom. Good as new.
Your wallet will thank you, and so will your future self when you’re not panic-buying at the last second.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Raid Your Home: Check drawers, backpacks, and last year’s school bin for forgotten supplies.
Step 2: Refresh What You Have: Clean, sharpen, or repurpose items to give them a second life.
Step 3: Make It Fun: Let your kid decorate old notebooks and folders to make them feel “new.”
4. Check What You Already Have at Home
👉 In a Nutshell: Before you buy, see what’s hiding in your house.
Do you know that drawer in the kitchen full of random pens, paper clips, and receipts from 2017?
Yeah, there’s probably a whole school supply aisle in there.
Before spending money, do a full sweep of your house 😉
Half the stuff you need is probably buried under last year’s math homework.
And if you don’t check first, you’ll end up buying a third pair of scissors for no reason.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Search Everywhere: Look in closets, storage bins, and that one junk drawer.
Step 2: Sort Your Finds: Separate what’s usable so you don’t rebuy the same things.
Step 3: Make a Mini Inventory: Write down what you already have before heading to the store.
5. Take Advantage of Tax-Free Shopping Days
👉 In a Nutshell: Certain days let you shop without paying sales tax. Use them.
Every year, states run tax-free weekends where you save big on school supplies.
That means no extra tax on backpacks, notebooks, or even laptops.
It’s basically free money if you time your shopping right 😏
But act fast. These deals don’t last long, and stores get packed.
Miss it, and you’re handing over extra cash for no reason.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Check Your State: Look up tax-free weekends and mark them on your calendar.
Step 2: Plan Ahead: Make your shopping list before the sale so you’re in and out fast.
Step 3: Shop Early: Stores run out of the good stuff quickly. Don’t wait until the last day.
6. Wait for End-of-Summer Clearance Sales
👉 In a Nutshell: Right after school starts, supplies get crazy cheap.
Retailers don’t want extra inventory, so they slash prices on leftover school stuff.
☝️ This is where smart parents win big.
Stock up on essentials like notebooks, crayons, and backpacks for next year.
Because paying full price next summer? Nah, we don’t do that here.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Watch for Discounts: Stores drop prices from late August through early September.
Step 2: Think Ahead: Grab supplies for next year while they’re dirt cheap.
Step 3: Store It Smart: Keep extra supplies in a labeled bin so you don’t forget them.
7. Shop at Discount Stores for School Supplies
👉 In a Nutshell: Name brands are cool, but discount stores save you real money.
Do kids really need the $6 pack of fancy pens when a $1 pack works the same?
Big-name stores charge extra for the same stuff you can find at dollar stores or outlets.
Places like Dollar Tree, Walmart, and Five Below have solid supplies without the markup 👌
And unless your kid is signing legal contracts, they’ll survive with the off-brand pencils.
↪️ Here’s How You’ll Do It
Step 1: Compare Prices: Check dollar stores and discount retailers before heading to big-name stores.
Step 2: Prioritize Essentials: Get basics like notebooks and folders where they’re cheapest.
Step 3: Skip the Hype: Fancy brands don’t make kids smarter. Save your money for things that matter.
Saving money isn’t about cutting corners.
It’s about making smarter choices.
Every dollar you save today is a step closer to stress-free spending tomorrow.
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” – Benjamin Franklin
Hi! I'm the founder of Money Vice and a passionate personal finance enthusiast.
Here we love to talk about money using a unique type of blender, where we combine juicy chunks of money lessons, slicing them into bite-sized steps, and sprinkling some South Florida vibe for that little zing! (the perfect cocktail to learn how to stack cash to achieve financial independence).
