I know most of your are thinking sun tan lotion and apple pies right about now but over the next few weeks there are going to be some really HOT back to school bargains you won’t want to miss. I think back to school shopping is kind of like Black Friday shopping now…. It used to be that the day after Thanksgiving started black Friday and now black Friday starts on Thanksgiving day. Well I think the same thing has happened with back to school shopping because it seems to start earlier and earlier each year!
So here are my 8 Back to School Shopping Tips to help you save big:
1) Sign up for Office Depot, Office Max & Staples rewards programs. These 3 super office supply stores DO ACCEPT competitors coupons so when you find a sale at one store you can use a coupon from another store on that sale and really walk out with a great deal! Coupons may come via snail mail or email and sometime via text message. Enroll in all sources of coupons!
2) If you find a great door buster deal at with a limit of items available to purchase (like “limit 2 pens at 5¢ each”) buy item allowed and then price match at another office supply chain or take your circular to Walmart or Target and price match there! (price matching is done right at the register with your full sale circular)
3) Shop back to school clearance after Labor Day. You’ll need to replenish supplies mid-year and this is one of the places many parents wind up paying full price. Buy supplies on clearance and be prepared to replenish anytime during the year without having to pay full price!
4) Take advantage of Tax FREE Shopping days in your state. See list of states with info and dates here!
5) Avoid lost (or possibly stolen) supplies. Arm yourself with a Sharpie permanent marker and labels!
6) Use coupons when purchasing school supplies whenever possible. For example – many schools now require each child to have a package of disinfecting wipes. Snag this buy 1 get 1 FREE coupon here (50% savings!)
7) Save your receipt and tags on item like backpacks and memory sticks/flash drives etc. If the zipper breaks on your child’s back pack 2 months into the school year contact the company for a replacement. You may still have to buy another item after one has been damaged but once your original has been replaced you’ll have it for next year!
8) Re-use any leftover salvageable supplies whenyour child’s back pack comes home on the last day of school
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