7 Great Back-to-School Sales

By Lori McDaniel

If the smell of pencils, crayons and paper brings back fond memories of time spent in a classroom, odds are you will enjoy hitting the back-to-school sales. Whether you're buying your own supplies or helping to fulfill a child's list of required items for school, below are some stores that will have everything you need at a great price. To maximize your savings, don't forget to take advantage of tax-free holiday sales, which are offered in 18 states this year.

Walmart. Walmart has a little bit of everything for those going back to school or college. You'll find clothing, accessories, uniforms, electronics and even computers. However, the best part of back-to-school shopping at Walmart is hitting the supplies aisle. Walmart's Rollback prices on everything from three-ring binders to scientific calculators and dry erase markers make the already-low prices an exceptional deal.

The store also has a handy online school supplies list tool into which you can type your school's name, ZIP code and state, and the tool will pull a list of suggested products to fulfill required items on the list. Shop online and you'll get free shipping on orders more than $35.

JCPenney. College-bound students should check out JCPenney's dorm shopping checklist to make sure they are fully prepared for dorm life. Then, they can check items off the list by shopping JCPenny's back-to-school sale, which includes as much as 50 percent off items such as XL twin bedding sets with sheets, shower caddies, closet organizers and more.

%VIRTUAL-WSSCourseInline-884%Though it may not be the first place that comes to mind for a back-to-school haircut, through Aug. 31 JCPenney is offering something for the little ones: a $10 haircut for kids in grades kindergarten through sixth grade at the in-house salon.

Speaking of $10, when you purchase $75 in JCPenney e-gift cards through Aug. 15, you'll earn a $10 off $10 coupon, redeemable in stores and online Aug. 16 through Sept. 7.

Lands' End. New for 2015, Lands' End's backpack guide takes the guesswork out of choosing the right pack for your child. Categorized by age range, bag style, collection, child's height, color and price range, choosing the right bag has never been so easy. Not only are the bags available in a ton of different colors, but they are made of high-quality materials and are outfitted with reinforced straps and other comfort features. Look for coupons to save on your next order and get free shipping when you spend at least $50 online.

Macy's. For a wide selection of back-to-school apparel, check out Macy's. You'll find clothing to outfit everyone in your family, from preschoolers to college-bound students (and even something for yourself). Macy's also has a wide assortment of accessories and shoes, which makes it a convenient stop. Save as much as 20 percent off your next order with an online coupon.

Calendar.com. To keep track of the school year and all the events and activities it brings, you'll find great solutions at Calendars.com. Get wall and desk calendars, as well as school organizers and planners to keep everything in order. Best of all, the company is offering 20 percent off any order through Aug. 31, as well as free shipping on orders of at least $30 with an online coupon.

Lenovo. College students know going to college without some type of computer is less than ideal, and also that budgeting for them can present a challenge. Fortunately, Lenovo has some great tax-free holiday weekend deals, as well as a sale for 15 percent off various ThinkPad laptops – plus free shipping! Save as much as 80 percent on laptops when you shop the clearance section.

Office Depot. If you're looking to get ink cartridges, school supplies or even something for your home office, Office Depot is offering a great sale, as well as $10 off orders over $50. Through Sept. 26, you can save up to $200 on select HP printers, and all ink and toner will ship for free (no minimum purchase required). Plus, when you spend $150 or more, you'll get a free $20 gift card.

While shopping, don't forget to look into a store's price-match or price-adjusting policy, and ask if you can reap additional savings by using online or in-store coupons. Here's to finding a great deal for everything on your back-to-school shopping list!

Lori McDaniel is the senior content manager at Offers.com. She's a wife and mother of two who can't seem to shake her taste for the finer things in life, which means she always is on the hunt for a great deal.