It seems like summer break just got started, but in most states, kids actually have less than six weeks to gear up for back-to-school. For parents and caretakers, this means those dreaded back-to-school shopping trips are almost upon you, including the most dangerous trip of all- the shopping for school supplies trip.
Angry mobs, crying babies, running children, picked-over products, not enough carts, and missing bar codes are all just some of the familiar hallmarks of a brand new school year. And if you’re like most people, you’re cringing now at the very thought of this process. So why not do it differently this year?
Avoid the chaos and preserve your sanity by following these simple steps:
1) Shop early- It’s really true that the early bird gets the worm, or in this case supplies. If possible, not only should you shop earlier in (or throughout) the year, but earlier the major types of maintenance in the day as well. As any experienced shopper knows, the earlier you begin shopping, the less people you have to compete with for space, products and attention from salespeople.
2) Shop online- Who says you have to shop in stores in order to get the back-to-school supplies your kids need? Why not search the internet first? I can bet you that you’ll be surprised at the number of great deals that are offered online year-round for supplies, as well as the number of retailers who offer them. Save yourself the aggravation and pull up to your computer desk instead of your local store to save on supplies and to preserve your sanity.
3) Buy in bulk- While warehouse clubs and shrink-wrap may not necessarily come to mind when you think of school supplies, you may want to reconsider- especially if you are shopping for multiple children. Purchasing supplies like number two pencils, markers, and notebook paper in bulk can save you mid-year trips to replace lost and damaged supplies, and a bundle of money (pun totally intended) throughout the school year.
4) Give generics a try- Product loyalty certainly has its place (namely if the teacher or school requires it). But in some cases, generics offer just as much bang for your buck as name-brand products compressor suppliers near me do and at a fraction of the cost. Don’t miss out on store brands or lesser-known labels when it comes to more expensive back-to-school products including: paints, markers, pens, and binders.
Start the school year off right with your savings and your sanity intact!
