Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

Special Section: Back to School 2009

The best strategy for back-to-school shopping is to get organized, stock up on the basics and look for sales. Start shopping with a plan. Even if the school has not supplied the list yet, start with the basics and take advantage of back-to-school sales.

Make a list and get children involved- Use the recommended list or a list of the basics to get started. Check with parents who have older kids to get advice. Go over the list with each child. This will teach them how to get organized, a skill that applies to more than buying school supplies.

Take inventory- Sort through last year’s supplies to see what is left over or can be reused. Leftover supplies from an older sibling can always be used as well.

Separate wants from needs- Set a budget. This will help children set priorities, learn how to manage money and start saving allowance for items the budget does not cover.

Look for bargains throughout the summer- The best bargains are usually available at back-to-school sales. Keep the list in the car or purse to combine shopping with other errands.

Buy basics in bulk- Paper, pencils, glue sticks and notebooks will always be needed. Dollar stores, warehouse stores and even online shopping are sources for buying basics in bulk. Parents might be able to negotiate a group discount from an office supply store.

Set up a supply shelf or storage container- Extra supplies will be easy to find throughout the year and when it comes time to shop for supplies next year.

Recycle- Since environmentally-friendly living is more common than it used to be, it can be easier to convince children to reuse an item. Dress up last year’s notebook with stickers or photos. Set up a scrap paper bin so that paper with writing on just one side can be reused. Check out garage sales, which can be a source of good-quality used items.

Watch for promotions- Some office supply stores offer free shipping on online orders. Local health departments may offer free basic supplies to parents who bring their children in for immunizations. Hang on to flyers and ads that advertise supplies at a particular price so prices can easily be compared.

Sometimes quality counts- Leaky pens will cost more in ruined clothes than some more expensive varieties. In the event that a strap or zipper breaks, a backpack with a warranty might be a good investment, even if it costs more. Name brand crayons, colored pencils, markers and water color paints seem to last longer.

Help the school while shopping- Shop for supplies from a participating merchant who gives a percentage to your school. The school will know which programs they participate in and those businesses or websites should be looked at while on the supply hunt.

Plan now for next year- Some schools send a back-to-school list home with kids on the last day of school so that parents can shop for the best bargains. If this is not done, get together with other parents and talk to administrators about how the school can put together a list earlier next year.

Tax-free days- A number of states have tax-free days during back-to-school season, when state sales taxes are lifted. •