Back-to-School Savings Lessons!
by Efin Advisor | August 20, 2009
It seems like only yesterday that binders, looseleaf paper, book covers and #2 pencils were the staples (and scotch tape) of a back-to-school shopping list. Now the latest high tech gadgetry, from calculators to thermos bottles, and backpacks to netbooks are vying to make the list. Here’s how to keep it economical.
1. Go Green. Recycle supplies from last year,
Get kids to think green about reusing the markers, binders, pens and pads that have been gathering dust since last semester. The more students you have under your roof, the more likely your surplus pile is full of buried treasure.
2. Make the “A” List first. Save the “B” List for later.
Like overpacking for summer vacation, it’s easy to overload a shopping cart with more than what is needed for the first few weeks of school. Put the “must haves” on your A-list and the extra niceties on a “B” list. Some teachers have specific requirements fur supplies which may only be know after the first day of school. Avoid stockpiling unnecessary items until you know exactly what’s needed.
3. Budget for School Events
Pens and paper are only part of the expense of a back-to-school budget. Often overlooked are the start of year “Student Association” fees, cafeteria meal plans and snack tickets, sports team contributions and after school clubs and activities. The extra-curriculars can be budget breakers if you don’t remember to include them.
4. Nab the Grab Bag of Loss Leaders
Lots of big discount, drug and department use school supplies as loss leaders for more expensive purchases like Fall wardrobes. Take these stores up on their very best offers and shop around. Your local newspaper is full of coupons galore and more deals are being promoted through electronic coupons online.
5. Avoid the Crush, Harvest Values Throughout the Year
Don’t confine your back-to-school shopping to late Augest and early September. Often prices fall as fast as the day after Christmas once school gets underway, Keep an eye out for sale items and bargains in the “off-season” and when you find something buy it and put it away for next year.
More Tips for College Students
- Buy used books – Campusbooks.com lets you compare prices on new and used College textbooks.
- See if your friends or roormmates are taking the class or have taken it so that you may use their books.
- Look for student fares/passes for transportation.
- If buying electronics — shop around and see where you can get student discounts
- Scholarships can come before you enter, or during college, as the result of good grades or for doing specific volunteer work.
- Enjoy free music. iLike, Pandora, Last.fm, finetune, or gotuit (music videos).
- Shop for insurance. Car insurance bargains are there if you look. Research online.
My daughter and I went to staples the other day and she tried to buy some of the most useless supplies because she had needed them in the past. The problem was that these are no longer useful. Save money on things like glue sticks and markers by simply not buying them. Rarely will there be a need for them that computer programs cant do or teachers won’t have extras of that you can borrow.
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In terms of insurance, I know you can save on auto insurance by listing your son/daughter as a student who isn’t driving. My daughter doesn’t have her car at school, so she only drives a few weeks out of hte year, which allows me to decrease the cost of insurance. I also sold off one of my cars because I have two kids in college and its pretty rare that I need the extra car, which means i got the profits from the car and from the less insurance costs
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The tip about shopping for back to school clothing throughout the year is a good point. I like buying versatile pieces I can layer at the end of the season when the deals are crazy.
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Another great free music alternative for popular music is youtube! Most artists have uploaded videos. So you can click on the video minimize the screen and voila free music!
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On the A list B list point — I hate how school require my child to get a TI-83 graphing calculator. They really don\’t need it and the school could just buy a set and lend them to the kids at school. What happened to doing math on a sheet of paper with a pencil!?
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You can also try using http://www.bigwords.com They are a textbook search engine that searches all the online retailers (including those already mentioned here) and rental sites to find you the best prices. But you can also use them to search for resellers to sell your book to.
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Speaking of ways to save for college students, many university bookstores are now offering textbook rentals to students. So if you don’t want to buy the book, rent it for the semester and save money. I’m a college student and didn’t do this myself, but I may consider it in the future.
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