More Ways to Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping

photo credit: dcJohnSaving money on school supplies is a must for many families, but easy for very few. Don’t despair, though, savings are much easier than you think; just follow these easy tips for back-to-school supplies savings:

• Start at home: Dig through your closets and supply drawers for reusable and nearly-new items. Company logos are easily covered-up with fancy stickers, and backpacks can easily be used year after year.
• Patronize your neighborhood dollar store: You may not shop here often, but now is certainly the time to do so: many of your kid’s basic school supplies can be found at rock-bottom prices.
• Set a budget for back-to-school clothes: It’s not likely that your kids have grown out of every, single shirt, short and pant, despite their claims. Lay the ground rules for the clothing trip before stepping out of the house, and stick to it. Buy as many neutral pieces as possible to maximize wear and use.
• Easy on the tech: It’s always tempting to buy the latest computer or calculator, but think before you leap. If you really need such an item, you’ll get amazing deals on eBay, Craigslist, and even in your local classifieds.
• Practice prudent backpack shopping: Kids shouldn’t carry more than 20% of their weight, so if your child has the tendency to shove every school book, binder, and supply into his backpack, buy a smaller backpack.

For the complete list, check out MSNBC’s back-to-school savings tips.

Tags: books | Budgeting | school | Shopping