Back-to-school time is probably the second busiest shopping season each year, which comes only to Christmas when it comes to family expenditures. Buying the classroom essential isn’t only tedious, but it can be expensive, too. So, to ensure that you won’t get your bank account drained from all the shopping, here are a few lifehacks to consider to help you maximize your savings.
Back To School Shopping On A Budget
Visit Dollar And Clearance Stores
If you really are trying to save some money when you do shopping, one of the best places to get the best deals is at clearance and dollar stores. However, ensure that you stay focused when going to a few clearance sales. With so many items available, it’s so tempting to purchase things that aren’t truly necessary. So, try your best to create a plan and stick with it. Meanwhile, if you like collecting coupons, you can always bring them with you when shopping for classroom items. If you’re lucky, you might even get out of the place with barely little expenses.
Always Compare Prices
Whether you’re shop online or in a physical store, one of the best ways to get the best deals is by comparing prices. Most stores often try to match their competitors’ prices. So, try to run a Google search and make a quick price comparison. Not only will it help you save a couple of bucks, but doing it online can save you time, too. Aside from doing a Google search, you can also check out a few apps that will tell you if there’s a lower price available at a different store. Meanwhile, if you’re planning to go to their store, you can speak to the staff and verify the information you got online.
Do The Shopping Yourself
If you’re planning to brave the stores to get the supplies, bringing the kids along can only add additional stress to your back-to-school shopping. And if you’re planning to go on clearance sales, then there’s a chance that you will stumble upon toys and other branded supplies, which can only add up to your expenses. If you really want to stay on fixed budget, leaving your kids at home supervised is the best way to go
Check Your Stocks
Before going to your supply run, you can always look around your home and see any supplies you can still use for the upcoming school season. You can start by getting all the office and art supplies to see the inventory that you have available in your home. Then, create a list of everything that you have so that you can sort through it and see which are the ones that you still need to buy.
Check Your Stocks
Consider Holding Off On New Clothing
Almost every child wants to wear something new every time they head back to school. And while a lot of stores do offer clothing on sale, it’s highly suggested that you consider holding it off in the meantime to help you save money on school supplies. Then, you can do most of your shopping when the store prices drop even further. It’s a great way to help you save money and use it for other school expenses.
Distribute Your Purchases
Instead of buying everything all at once, you can save money by spreading your purchases in the next couple of weeks. Going through a few extra trips to the store can help you get better deals. Remember that each week, store owners offer various items on sale. You might even get to find a few supplies at a much lower price than what they had a few days before. So, visiting the stores every week allows you to take advantage of these deals.
