15 GENIUS Hacks to Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping
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Back-to-school season is an undeniably exciting time. But for parents, it can also be costly. You have to buy a long list of school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes, and new outfits. Luckily, we've got plenty of creative back-to-school money-saving hacks and tips for you to try. From shopping at discount retailers to organizing neighborhood supply swaps, we have lots of ideas for saving more money. Here's to keeping more of your coins in your bank account this back-to-school season.
Tips and tricks around saving money during the back-to-school season are crucial. Being thoughtful about when and where you shop is key. But you can also cut corners by making easy changes to your meal planning, getting involved with your community, and finding ways to get creative with what you have on hand. You won't only be saving money, but you'll teach your kids important skills about money management and the value of finding a unique solution rather than buying more clutter.
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Look for refurbished electronics rather than brand-new ones
If your children realistically need tech items like laptops and graphing calculators to get their work done, it can be a strain on the back-to-school budget. Buying refurbished items from programs like Amazon Renewed or Best Buy's Refurbished Electronics Outlet can save hundreds of dollars, so it's definitely worth browsing.
Minimize single-use items in lunchboxes
Pack your child's lunch with reusable utensils if they need them, and find a lunchbox option that allows you to reduce the use of sandwich bags or tin foil. Not having to use new ones each day could save you a decent amount of money throughout the school year.
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Use credit cards (carefully!)
If you're positive you'll be able to pay off the balance in full, consider doing some of your back-to-school shopping with credit cards that offer rewards. Using a credit card that offers cash back or travel credit (maybe for that spring break trip!) can be beneficial.
Shop out-of-season
When it comes to buying clothes for the school year, you can often save money by shopping out-of-season. For instance, you can buy some warm-weather items at the end of summer or early fall when retailers are trying to offload their summer inventory or buy your family's winter coats in January or February when retailers are starting to put out the spring items.
Shop during a sales tax holiday
Several states offer sales tax holidays. If you do your back-to-school shopping during your state's sales tax holiday, you could save significantly. This is especially true for big-ticket items like computers.
Check out your local thrift and vintage shops
Thrifting is not only easier on your wallet, it's also better for the environment. Head to your local thrift store to find back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, art supplies and backpacks. It's not uncommon to find things that are brand new with tags, so it's definitely worth stopping here before placing your order online.
Get crafty with items you already have
Reduce, reuse, recycle! You can save some money by finding new uses for things you already have. For instance, an empty sauce jar can become a pencil holder for your child's desk. Those old clothes with holes can be cut up and used as cleaning rags. Small cardboard boxes can be put in dressers or desk drawers to keep things organized. Finding creative solutions rather than buying new things is a great lesson to teach your kids, and you'll save money in the process.
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Organize a neighborhood swap
The good news is you're probably not the only parent stressing about the costs of back-to-school shopping. Organize a neighborhood swap where people can share the things they're not using and grab a few new items. Your child may think their Sonic the Hedgehog lunchbox or sparkly pink water bottle is so last year, but we bet there's a younger kid in the neighborhood who would be thrilled to have it.
Look for buy nothing groups in your area
Another way to save on clothes, lunchboxes, sports gear, instruments, and other supplies is to keep an eye on the "buy nothing" groups in your area. They're online groups where people will post things they're offloading, and they can be a way to score some great items for free. In some groups, people can also request particular items, so you could post asking about specific items your family needs. These groups are popular on Facebook, and you can check out the Buy Nothing Project. A good way to start will be by Googling "Buy Nothing + your area."
Look for low-cost after-school activities
Another expense that often sneaks up on parents is the cost of after-school activities. One way to mitigate this expense is to look into free or low-cost after-school care in your school or community. Libraries, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the YMCA are some potential options. Depending on your work schedules, you could also do a childcare swap or babysitter share with other families in your neighborhood.
Utilize donation drives if you need them
If you need to, see if there are community organizations in your area distributing free school supplies to families who need them. It's important to make sure your kids have what they need, and you can always donate to the program when you're financially in a better place. There's no shame in using the resources available to you.
Cut a subscription or two
One way to keep a little extra cash in your account around back-to-school season is to cancel a few of your streaming subscriptions. Keep the one or two your family uses the most and get rid of everything else. You might be surprised at how much you can save in just a couple of months.
Give yourself time to shop around
If you have time, compare prices before you buy school supplies, food, clothes, or other essentials. We've all bought something more expensive because it was more convenient, but if you can shop around for the items you need, you can be sure you're getting the best price.
Walk or bike to school
Walking or biking to school is a way to spend quality time with the kids and get some fresh air. Over time, it can also save you a bit of gas money, plus wear-and-tear on your vehicle. Every penny counts, right?
Get in the habit of meal prepping
If you have time on the weekend, you can cook up a big pot of soup, a roast chicken, meatballs, casseroles, or whatever else your family likes to eat and pop it in the fridge or freezer to eat later in the week. Having an easy meal ready to go means you won't have to spend $50 on delivery food later in the week when you're low on time or energy. You can also get the kids involved with the meal prepping as a way to spend time together and practice their math skills!
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