Looking to save on back-to-school shopping? You’re in good company. Parents everywhere are feeling the pinch of the economy, and four out of five have reduced their school-related spending. The National Retail Federation reports that 56.2 percent of back-to-school shoppers are looking for discounts, 41.7 percent are ditching brand-names in favor of generics, and 40 percent are using more coupons.
Welcome the new school year in frugal fashion with these tips for back-to-school saving:
Start at the beginning
Get organized, and get “the list.” Review your child’s list of required supplies and take inventory of what you’ll need. If you don’t have a list, contact your child’s school or friends with older children.
Aim to be thorough in your shopping. Forget a few items, and you’ll find yourself fighting with the masses — and paying full price — for picked-over supplies at the last minute. Instead, save money and hassle by checking everything off the list before the first day.
Never stop shopping
Buy the basics on sale year-round and squirrel them away for back-to-school. According to Jonni McCoy, author of “Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy,” shopping over time spreads out the expenditures and maximizes your purchasing power.
“Don’t try to get it all done in one day,” says McCoy. “Not everything is on sale on one day. Every week, check what school items are on sale and get those. Then do the same the next week, and the next.”
Cash in on the coupon craze
Budget-minded shoppers are couponing like never before. Promotional transaction vendor Inmar reports that coupon use is reaching record highs. In 2013, 96 percent of shoppers reported using coupons, and not just for groceries — a third of the 3 billion coupons redeemed were for non-food items.
Cents-off coupons can add up to big savings, but you can raise the stakes considerably with a little extra legwork. Major retailers like Target and Rite-Aid offer discounts up to $25 for transferred prescriptions. Find a local store that doubles the value of manufacturer’s coupons at couponing.about.com, and you can buy supplies for next to nothing.
Shoppers are increasingly turning to the web to score coupons. Inmar reports that more than half of the coupons redeemed were digital; more than 43 percent of coupons used were printed at home. Websites such as Smartsource.com, retailmenot.com, and coupons.com offer printable coupons, many with savings of $1 or more.
Surf the savings
Sites like Craiglist.org and Ebay.com offer everything from computers to graphing calculators to brand-name backpacks at huge discounts. While you’re at it, why not unload things your kids have outgrown? Last year’s trendy outfit, bike, or winter coat can yield cash to put toward this year’s list.
Join the club
Register to get exclusive discounts, deluxe coupons, and other perks delivered to your inbox from major retailers including The Gap, Old Navy, and Fred Meyer. Sign up online or in store. If you don’t want to clog your personal account with marketing e-mail, snag a free e-mail account just for promotional sign-ups.
Dollars and sense
Your local dollar store is a great place to find basic supplies for less. McCoy recommends shopping for supplies at discount stores and taking advantage of sales to stretch your dollar even further. Staples and Walmart host well-known sales offering back-to-school supplies for pennies. Mark your calendar for sale days and scoop up the savings.
Swap to save
Score some new-to-your-kids clothing by hosting a swap. Lay down a few ground rules — clothing should be free of stains and rips, and no payment or bartering is allowed. People take what they want, and leave what they don’t. Afterward, leftover items can be donated to charity.
Say ‘yes’ to yard sales
Summer is yard-sale season. Binders, notebooks, pencil cases, scissors, staplers, loose-leaf paper, and more are yours for the finding. Bring small bills and change and don’t be afraid to haggle. Carry a reusable bag to tote home your treasures.
Bulk up your budget
Big-box discounters and warehouse stores sell high-quality office and school supplies in bulk. If you have a large family, the supersized packages of pens, highlighters, binders, tape, and folders make sense.
You can take advantage of bulk deals even if you don’t have a large brood. Gather a group of moms, divide the list, and pool the savings.
Grab some inspiration
Creativity is in. Spice up a plain or hand-me-down binder with a digital photo collage. Protect school books with covers made from gift wrap or newspaper. Refresh last year’s backpack with new buttons and iron-on patches. The possibilities for inspiration — and savings — are endless.
Malia Jacobson is an award-winning health and parenting journalist and mom of three. Her latest book is “Sleep Tight, Every Night: Helping Toddlers and Preschoolers Sleep Well Without Tears, Tricks, or Tirades.”
