| Alas, the end of summer has arrived and the school | | | | done all that you can to gather school supplies from |
| year is about to start. Say "goodbye" to long summer | | | | around the house, but your student still needs new |
| days and "hello" to busy schedules and homework! | | | | clothes and shoes and some school supplies that just |
| Whether your student is full of excitement or anguish | | | | didn't last. We've said it before and we'll say it again, |
| about going back, we understand that as a parent, the | | | | with so many discount coupons available there is |
| main thing you see is a big dollar-sign when thinking | | | | almost no excuse for paying full price for anything. So |
| about that list of back to school supplies. It's almost | | | | before you head to your local office supply or clothing |
| inevitable—new clothes and shoes, new | | | | retail store, visit a reputable printable coupons site and |
| backpack, new folders, pens/pencils, calculators, | | | | search for the company or product you plan on |
| etc—the long list returns every year. And with | | | | purchasing. You will likely find some sort of discount for |
| most households trying to cut back on expenses this | | | | everything on your list. Just select the coupon, print, and |
| year, it's important to know what opportunities are out | | | | get moving. It's really simple and completely worth the |
| there for saving money. Consider the following tips an | | | | few minutes it takes to print out. Savvy discount |
| insider look at the best strategies for saving on this | | | | shoppers don't even leave home before first checking |
| year's back to school shopping. Whether scouring the | | | | for discount coupons, and you shouldn't either. |
| clearance rack or finding discount coupons, these | | | | 4. Identify wants vs. needs - Every one of us gets |
| guidelines will help you avoid spending too much this | | | | caught up in fads—especially when it comes to |
| year. | | | | the latest technology and clothing styles—and the |
| 1. Stock up through the off-season - Like anything, | | | | infatuation with getting new things starts at a very |
| school supplies are more likely to be on sale anytime | | | | young age. Of course parents always want to give |
| other than right before school starts. Prepare early by | | | | their children the best of everything, but it's important to |
| keeping your eye out for deals on school and office | | | | be able to say "no" to certain things. When |
| supplies at the beginning of summer. When school is | | | | encountering a request that is simply impractical, try to |
| out and students don't need new school supplies, | | | | jump on the opportunity as a learning experience. |
| neither do the stores. Look for supplies on clearance | | | | Rather than just saying "no," provide your student with |
| at the beginning of summer. What a perfect | | | | a reason so that they can learn about budgeting and |
| opportunity to save money and avoid that last minute | | | | the difference between wants versus needs. This is |
| rush to get everything the day before school starts! | | | | especially true when shopping for clothes. Styles |
| What's more, gathering the school necessities over the | | | | change almost daily, so stand firm even if they throw |
| summer break will prevent a huge bill all at once. "But | | | | a little fit. It's pretty likely they'll soon forget all about |
| wait," you say, "school's about to start and it's too late | | | | whatever it was they wanted and will move on to |
| to start gathering from the clearance sales." Read on. | | | | something else. |
| 2. Consider what you already have - Pencils can be | | | | One necessity that cannot be ignored, however, are |
| sharpened and stickers (that your kids love anyways) | | | | textbooks. Especially if you have a college student, |
| are great for covering up old class names or logos on | | | | textbooks can run you upwards of $500, with a |
| previously used binders still in working condition. | | | | sell-back return of under 50%. Consider renting |
| Another great idea is to have your soon-to-be | | | | textbooks this semester—it can save you |
| students gather all of their school supplies from last | | | | hundreds and you won't have a stack of books in your |
| year and lay it all out. Since they probably haven't | | | | living room that the school says is "outdated." Shop |
| touched their backpack in months, it is very likely you'll | | | | around online for these, as many textbook rental sites |
| find folders with fresh paper, a calculator that may just | | | | offer discount coupons as well as free return shipping. |
| need a battery or two, and lots of usable pens and | | | | There are many ways to save on back-to-school |
| pencils all kept together in a perfectly usable backpack. | | | | shopping. You can drive around and hope to find what |
| Also, be sure to check your 'junk drawers,' purses, and | | | | you need on clearance racks, but this is very time |
| cars for pens—it's amazing where they'll turn up! | | | | consuming and often unproductive. Always check for |
| Hint: backpacks can be put in the washer, just be sure | | | | printable coupons for everything on your shopping |
| to hang-dry. | | | | list—you will save money and time by knowing |
| 3. Always check for coupons first - Alright, so you've | | | | exactly what and where you will purchase the item. |