How to Save Money on Back to School Shopping
Discover top school shopping tips to save money on supplies, clothes, and more. Get our budget-friendly back-to-school hacks!
We cannot even believe it’s that time of the year already… back to school season is here! Now that the summer recharge is over we need to get ourselves back into the swing of things, starting with back to school shopping.
If you’ve been following TBS for a while, , you know we’re all about making every penny count. So throughout the month of August, we’ll be sharing our favorite back to school sales, tips, and items to make the busy start of the school year a breeze.
Today’s tips are focused on not only saving money but also time, making this school shopping season your most efficient one yet.
Back to School Shopping Tips to Help You Stay On Budget
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Set a Realistic Budget
We’ve all been there—dazzled by the aisles of vibrant school supplies. That’s why we’re huge advocates for setting a realistic budget right from the get-go.
It’s not just about keeping your wallet happy; it’s also a great chance for a teaching moment on budgeting for your kids.
We love to do is sit down with our favorite drink of choice, round up all the anticipated expenses (yep, from that must-have school supplies list to the sneaky little add-ons) and figure out what we really do need and what we can live without.
2. Take Stock of What You Already Have
Once we’ve decided what our true necessities are, it’s time to take inventory of what we already have. You’ll be amazed at how much you save by taking this step before heading out to the store.
3. Create a Tailored School Supplies List
Of course, having a list in any shopping adventure is helpful, but don’t forget to double-check the items that are actual school requirements.
A fun idea is to get the kids in on the list-making action. They’ll see that sometimes, all those extra glitter pens and neon highlighters are more wants than needs.
4. Time Your Purchases Right
We know, like really know, how chaotic back-to-school shopping can be. It’s not just about ticking off everything on that seemingly endless school supplies list. It’s also about not breaking the bank while you’re at it.
So, what’s our secret?
Getting your list and budget ready to go so you can shop early and be ready for those back-to-school sales when they arrive.
Find a roundup of all the back-to-school sales going on here.
5. Buy in Bulk When You Can
We’ve learned a trick or two about saving big on back-to-school shopping, and one of our top strategies?Buying in bulk.
Yes, loading up on pencils, notebooks, and even snacks in larger quantities can slash our total bill significantly.
It’s a no-brainer for us now, especially when we think about the endless lists of school supplies. But here’s the catch — we stay mindful of how much storage space we have (because, let’s be honest, who has room for 100 rolls of tape?).
So, if the best deal is a bulk buy for supplies, gather some friends or neighbors to split the cost. This will make sure all those items get used and don’t sit around cluttering up the house.
Related: The Best Cheap Snacks to Buy in Bulk Your Kids Will Love
6. Take Advantage of Amazon’s Back-to-School Shopping Savings
A golden tip I’ve embraced is leveraging Amazon Prime for free shipping. This membership not only has saved me a small fortune in shipping fees but also has slashed our family’s waiting times for all our back-to-school shopping needs.
Plus, getting the best prices on Amazon is a way easier task with their Subscribe and Save program, which is exclusive to Prime members.
Learn more about the Subscribe & Save program here.
7. Keep an Eye Out for Second-Hand Savings
Whether it be textbooks and/or uniforms, finding items secondhand can’t be overstated. Not only does this approach save tons, but it’s also a nod towards eco-friendliness.
We recommend checking out local buy-and-sell groups, secondhand shops, and even online marketplaces. Just a quick tip though, make sure you’re double-checking those school requirements before making a purchase.
Fun Idea: Host a school supply swap in your community. Host an event where everyone brings school supplies they no longer need and trade away. It’s like a treasure hunt in your neighbor’s pencil box. Not only do you save a ton, but it’s also a stellar way to bring the community together and do some good for our planet by reducing waste.
8. Take a Shortcut to Finding the Best Discounts and Deals
You may or may not know that we have a 500,000+ member Facebook group that shares all the latest discounts and deals we can possibly find. Come join us.
Our Favorite Back-to-School Shopping Amazon Must Haves
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Back to School Shopping Savings Tips: Final Thoughts
We’ve walked you through our favorite back-to-school shopping tips to help ease the overwhelm that tends to come along with this time of year, but now we want to hear from you. What’s your favorite way to save on Back to School Shopping?
Related Articles: More Back-to-School Shopping Tips
If you enjoyed these back to school shopping tips, make sure to pin the image below to reference later!
