Don’t Break The Bank During Back-To-School Shopping

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Back to school shopping is looking a little unconventional this year.

Whether you’re doing remote learning or in-person classes, the supply list will be a little different. Here are some tips to make sure you don’t break the bank.

Some analysts predict that families will spend less as they watch their budgets or as home-schooling limits the need for a fresh wardrobe. Others say it will simply add more big-ticket items llike laptops and tablets and shift spending toward lower-priced casual wear.

Whether you’ll be doing school at home or in person, do an inventory of your tech, supplies and clothes. Chances are you have some pens, glue sticks, crayons and more around the house already.

Blogger Busy Budgeter recommends getting a little crafty.

Use paper, fabric paint, Washi tape, stickers, Mod Podge and even patches to give last year’s supplies a little update.

Once you’ve figured out what you need, you may have a little more time to get it this year.

Many retailers are continuing sales longer than previous years. Some will probably be running through mid-September.

If you don’t want to do all the running around you might normally do outside of a global pandemic, retailers are offering lots of incentive to shop online.

“It’s ust another way to keep money in your pocket,” said Sara Skirboll with Retailmenot.com. “You’re going to see a lot of reatilers offering ‘buy online, earn cash back,’ so it’s a big online shopping play for you to shop with a company, and then they’re going to reward you.”

Many retailers this year are also offering online ordering with curbside pickup. It’s an easy way to see exactly how much you’re buying without getting surprised at the check out.

If you find a little extra room in your budget, donate supplies to the schools like hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and disposable masks.