From the Desk of Clearissa Coward’s Command Center via Divinely Organized
Back to School on a Budget
It’s that time again. It’s almost time for school to start. With that in mind, I have pulled together some tips to help you get prepared in an organized fashion to send your little ones back to school in style on a budget. A couple of weeks ago we prepared college students for dorm life. We cleaned, organized and decorated for the upcoming school year in their new dorm room or college apartment. Now that our young adults are all settled in comfy and cozy away from home in the dorm, it’s time to get our school age children ready for their upcoming school year as well. So, this article will get your kids Back to School on a Budget.
This article contains affiliate links for Dollar Tree and Amazon which means that if you visit Dollar Tree or Amazon through the links on in this article and purchase a product, I’ll get a commission. Don’t worry–the price is still the same for you!” You can view my entire disclosure policy here.
Below you will find a list that I hope will make your shopping and transition from relaxed summer days back to the more structured school year an easy one.
First Things First:
- Most schools provide a list of school supplies that your child/ren require and the complexity of that list is usually determined by grade level.
- With a required supply list in your hot little hands, it is time to pull or download your coupons for all things school related. You are in luck because, during the back to school shopping season, all stores offer coupons and or discounts. Just be careful because many of the stores elevate prices to make you believe you are receiving a bargain when you actually are not. Be assured, retailers never risk the profit margin.
- You have your school supply list…check, You have gathered your coupons…check. It’s time to go through the sale papers with an eagle eye.
We Know What We Need…Next:
I suggest getting the basics out of the way first. Shopping for the basics can be easily accomplished (we will deal with scientific calculators, and technology later).
- If your child/ren is/are elementary school age, you can probably find ALL of the basics at your local Dollar Tree. Actually, you may be surprised to find that many teachers frequent the Dollar Tree for their classroom supplies as well. What does that tell you? We all know teachers know how to work a school budget better than anyone because they are forced to be frugal. 🙂
- Currently, Dollar Trees everywhere are stocked to the rafters with basic school supplies and you can fill your cart and never spend more than $1.00 per item. You can also shop the Dollar Tree online. How convenient!
- Pencils, pens, markers, glue, binders, crayons, weekly and monthly organizers, storage options, composition notebooks, paper, labels, etc., are all in stock at your local dollar tree or online where you can order and pick up in the store at your convenience.
- If you are that parent who also supports the PTA/teachers with classroom supplies, you can pick up those donations at the Dollar Tree as well. Such things as the all- important Clorox disinfecting wipes, classroom storage bins, hand sanitizer, etc., can be purchased at the Dollar Tree.
Technology:
Source
- We’ve gotten the basics out of the way and now it’s time to get down to the serious business of technology and the more unique and expensive required items.
- Next suggestion, gather coupons and begin to research and shop online.
- Make sure free shipping is an option.
- I like to shop Amazon for technological items and necessary and unique clothing items.
- You can visit the link above to search and most importantly, find all the necessary items without leaving your home.
Clothing/Miscellaneous:
- Here is where we need to delve into the individuality of our children.
- The organizer in me suggests that you have a family planning session prior to your online shopping day to determine what each child has decided they cannot live without for the new school year.
- Of course, you will make final decisions, depending on the age of the child, but knowing what they like and want in advance is a definite plus.
- You can also have the child/ren do all of the research for you. Just ask them to create an Amazon wish list and provide you access. Viola…you have a list of all of the important stuff. Well, at least all of the stuff they feel is important but you get the last word when you combine their lists and place the order.
- There will be last minute items, but for the most part, you have conquered the monster of back-to-school shopping while saving money and the most important commodity…precious time.
- Did I mention that you can also do your clothes shopping online as well? Amazon has a full range of name brand and not so name brand clothing with all of the latest styles. They also have the best variety of athletic shoes.
- The convenience is having all of the styles and brands at your fingertips without having to travel from store to store.
Miscellaneous:
- I saved the best for last. Did you know the Dollar Tree has lots of snacks and some even have a refrigerated and frozen food department?
- I am going to appeal to your practical side so ask yourself the following questions.
- Why pay almost $4.00 for a snack at one store when you can purchase the same item at another retailer for $1.00?
- Why purchase milk from your supermarket when you can purchase the same milk for a lot less at a different retailer?
- Why travel to several stores when you can shop at one store to get most of what you need to get this school year off to a fantastic start?
- Why spend more when you don’t have to? And that’s the bottom line. Save money and time by organizing and using shopping lists,shopping early, using coupons and shopping at the most economical retailers. Have an awesome school year!
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Thank You for Stopping By!
The dollar Tree is one of my favorite places to shop for school supplies and snacks.
Hi Suzanne. Mine too. Well, I help my daughter out. She’s a school teacher with 2 children of her own and yet, she buys extra supplies for the children in her class that may not have any so I buy some here and there and donate to her classroom. And they are always in need of the hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. It’s just a great place that allows one to help without spending a fortune. Thank you for reading along and for commenting. Please stop by again soon. 🙂
Mine too Suzanne. Thanks for stopping by. I realize there are items one should purchase elsewhere, but for the most part…I enjoy this store. 🙂
Great tips!
XO
Allie
https://alliesfashionalley.com/2016/08/celizzione-romper/
It’s so unfair that back to school is SO expensive! But this has some brilliant pointers so thank you!
Thank you allie. I am kind of ready to see this summer end. Or at least the weather. Thank you for reading along and please visit again soon.
Hi Jen. Thank you. I hope the pointers are helpful. I am always looking for a bargain. Thank you for reading along. And please stop by again soon.
I did my B2S shopping during Tax-free weekend. It was amazing.
B2S tax free weekend is great! We no longer have it in our area. So we have to save when we can. I hope you found some really good bargains. Thanks for stopping by and please come back again soon.
I loved these tips!!! I tried to start yesterday, got overwhelmed and left the store lol!!!
I can’t believe you got overwhelmed in a store Sweetie. 🙂 But shopping for boys I guess is very different than shopping for you.
Great tips, Clearissa. All the back to school shopping may end up very expensive if one isn’t careful.
Thanks Debbie. It can definitely get out of hand without a plan. Thank you for stopping by.:)
Great tips Clearissa as it can be a very expensive time getting the children back to school. Thanks for co-hosting and sharing with us at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’ve shared on social media. Have a lovely day x
I don’t like to shop, and I never think to go to the Dollar Store for supplies. I don’t buy school supplies, but I do like to stock craft items at home for my grandsons, especially the older one, who loves to do crafts. I need to take a trip in to see what they have particularly since it is that time to get ready for back to school! My grandson is starting kindergarten and I can hardly believe it. #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty
These are some great tips for going back to school without breaking the bank. Thank you for linking up at #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I’m sharing your link on social media.
Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi
Hi Sue. Thank you so much. Yes, it can get expensive nowadays. Especially when electronics are included. But we can stick to a budget if we plan.
Hi Molly, my grandson is starting kindergarten too. I am so excited for him but sad too. I miss the baby in him. They grow up so fast. I am way beyond buying school supplies too but my daughter is a single parent now and so I try to help her out with the two kids. Also, she is a teacher and her classroom is always in need of something so I help her with that as well. And as you say, this is a perfect time to stock up on those crafting items as well. Give it a try and thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Thanks Carol. 🙂
Clearissa, these are great tips for getting good deals on all the things you need for back to school! I have many fond memories of back to school shopping with my mom and big sisters.
Thank you Lori. I still enjoy it with my daughter and her children. It’s an exciting time. And it’s even better when you can do it on a budget. 🙂
I can’t believe we’re talking about back-to-school already! Why does summer fly by, but winter seems to creep along? I do love the fall though. Thanks for cohosting #BloggingGrandmothersLInkParty.
Thanks Clearissa for the great money saving ideas. My grandchildren happen to love Dollar Tree so shopping there for supplies would be a real treat for them! Thank you for hosting and sharing with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty!
Hi Christie. Surprisingly & perhaps sadly, some of the stores already have hints of Christmas decor and lots of fall and Halloween stuff out already as well. We are all so rushed. 🙂 I love fall as well.
Hi Teresa, I hope you and your grands find everything they need for back to school and some other fun stuff as well. See you next month for the link party. 🙂
Lots of good ideas! Thank you Clearissa for linking up and co-hosting with me at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared your post on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Thanks Dee and it is my pleasure to co-host and collaborate with you.