Back To School: 6 Tips For Saving Money On Shopping
Aug 1, 2019, 1:41 PM | Updated: 1:41 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The vacation is over.
KSL TV is dedicated to helping families make the back-to-school process as smooth as possible. As you start searching for supplies for the new school year, there are some things to keep in mind to help save money, time and energy.
Pennyhoarder.com has some excellent tips.
1. Shop at home
Don’t spend money just yet! Go through the stuff you already have and see what’s reusable. Clothes, backpacks, leftover loose-leaf paper, binders, pencil boxes and more can all have a life beyond just a single year at school.
2. Check out the second-hand stores
Thrift stores and yard sales can be great resources not just for supplies, but for clothes, too. The good thing about thrift store clothing is you won’t be spending as much on something your growing child won’t be able to use in a few months. You don’t even have to tell people you purchased it second-hand (unless you want them to be jealous of your money-saving skills).
3. Office supply stores, dollar stores and warehouses and club stores
When you’re ready to start buying new items, you can find great deals at stores that specialize in things like school and office supplies. Other items, like pens, paper and pencil boxes, can also be picked up for next to nothing at dollar stores.
Of course, if you’re a member at clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club, you can usually snag a bargain on items in bulk — and anything you might have left over can help you with tip No. 1 next year!
4. Shop online
You don’t have to pound the pavement. Shop online where you can easily compare prices for the same products (and your kids will be less tempted by the stuff they see in the store that they really don’t need).
5. Buy generic
Avoid the name brands, and don’t let your children convince you otherwise. They’ll thank you when they’re grown and they see the value (pun intended) of saving money when and where they can.
6. Remember the coupons
If you can wait until you have the coupons to buy, whether online or in person, do it! It’s also a good idea to check those back-to-school sales. Make sure you know the regular prices of the items, though, so you’re not tricked into buying stuff that’s marked as “on sale” even though it really isn’t.
If you have any back-to-school tips, share them with us! Follow us on Twitter, @KSL5TV, like us on Facebook.com/ksltv, or email them to us at social@ksl.com.