Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. Please read our disclosure for more info.
It’s that time of year again. Back to school can break your budget in much the same way that Christmas can, and for parents with more than one child, the expenses can be an exceptional burden. That being said, there are ways in which you can ease the financial frustration and maybe even save some of your hard-earned green. With some simple advice and a dash of savvy, you too can enjoy an easy and cheap return to education.
In This Post:
For schools with a uniform policy…
Uniforms are a definite must if your school has a dress code in effect, and if you’ve ever been to a uniform retailer you know just how high the cost can be. For one child to have a weeks worth of clothing that conforms to the implemented regulations, a parent can be looking at hundreds of dollars. For elementary schools especially, kids often outgrow their uniforms before they ruin them. So be sure to take advantage of any parent-to-parent sales or swaps that the school may hold. If your school doesn’t organize anything like this, try talking to the principal and seeing if it is a possibility. You can also turn to sites like Kijiji and Craigslist to sell off uniforms or purchase new pieces.
For all the small things…
The retail industry loves back to school time, and they are all in competition for your business. Keep an eye on your circulars and flyers in order to cash in on the best deals. In the case of items like pens, pencils, paper and even binders, try looking at your local dollar store. Everything there cost only $1 or $2 making it easy to amass a ton of product for a low price.
Take it to the net…
The internet is another area that you will want to check out. Sites like Amazon carry a ton of products and they are all vying for your attention. This will allow you to price check in order to find what you want at the best possible price. You will also want to look and see if there are any coupon codes that are current for you to take advantage of. They may only be for 5% or 10% off, but every dollar adds up in the saving game.
Don’t be too hasty…
It is always so tempting to run around and buy everything you think will be needed; however, some of those things may very well be unnecessary. Let your child go back to school the first day and usually they will come home with a list that outlines the items they will need for that school year. Alternatively, some items may not be needed until second term which allows you to purchase them later and spread the cost out over time.
If you have a strong desire to save some money on back to school costs, it can be done. It takes a little bit of time and some due diligence, but it is worth it in the long run. It can seem like a lot of work the first time you try to get the best deals, but after you’ve done it once you will be a pro. The main thing is that you watch the sales, watch the flyers, look for coupon codes and don’t be afraid to purchase second hand items when possible. Anyone can be a frugal shopper, and now so can you.