Money Savers: School Supplies
By:
Updated: July 27, 2012
It's the time of year to start loading up on school supplies. But getting everything on your child's list can break the bank. You can save some cash just by following a few tips and taking a little extra time while shopping.
"School supplies are expensive," said mom, Kelley Rideout. "Especially as they get a little older, because they have to have more expensive things like calculators and certain kinds of notebooks."
You first need to make a list and buy only what you need. Before you leave the house, take inventory of what you already have left over from last year.
"I usually go to Walmart or Target," said Rideout. "It's the one place I can get everything and I don't have to go to a lot of different places."
But to save the most, you will have to shop more than one store. Be sure to compare prices and shop stores that use price matching.
And because the promotions change each week, if possible, don't buy everything you need at once.
Timed perfectly for back to school shoppers, you can take advantage of Arkansas' tax-free weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th. You'll save 6% on clothing, shoes and school supplies.
Also, don't forget to check second hand and consignment stores.
Or you can skip the stores altogether and head online to save. Just make sure you get free shipping. www.freeshipping.org can help you find online retailers that will ship your school supplies for free.
"School supplies are expensive," said mom, Kelley Rideout. "Especially as they get a little older, because they have to have more expensive things like calculators and certain kinds of notebooks."
You first need to make a list and buy only what you need. Before you leave the house, take inventory of what you already have left over from last year.
"I usually go to Walmart or Target," said Rideout. "It's the one place I can get everything and I don't have to go to a lot of different places."
But to save the most, you will have to shop more than one store. Be sure to compare prices and shop stores that use price matching.
And because the promotions change each week, if possible, don't buy everything you need at once.
Timed perfectly for back to school shoppers, you can take advantage of Arkansas' tax-free weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th. You'll save 6% on clothing, shoes and school supplies.
Also, don't forget to check second hand and consignment stores.
Or you can skip the stores altogether and head online to save. Just make sure you get free shipping. www.freeshipping.org can help you find online retailers that will ship your school supplies for free.
