7 teachers reveal their best back-to-school money saving secrets
Let's be honest, who knows better than them?
Wait for Deals
Wait for deals
"Convince your kids to hold on to last year's backpacks or lunchboxes, even if they're looking a little worn , until a week or so after school has started. Then you'll be able to pick up quality school gear for a fraction of the usual cost from brands like Lands' End and JanSport. Plus, those companies offer a lifetime warranty." — Kaitlin Bartholomew, former teacher, Richmond, VA;
PHOTO: david franklin
Search on Craiglist
Search on Craigslist
"When teachers retire, they're often looking to get rid of educational items that they've gathered over the years. To find supplies, go to the ' for sale' section of and type in 'teacher.' I've gotten posters, games and dictionaries, all for a dollar or less." —Janelle Gondar, substitute teacher, New Haven , CT
Avoid Tax
Avoid Tax
"Make sure to put tax-free days on your calendar. In Florida, where I teach, there are three days in August when all items bought for back to school are tax-free." -—Betty Baez, kindergarten teacher, West Palm Beach, FL
BONUS TIP: Stores will often schedule sales on tax-free days, so your savings will be even bigger. The dates change every year—check for an up-to-date list.
PHOTO: YinYang
Buy in Bulk
Buy in Bulk
"You'll get the best bargains at a store, not through your child's school. Join forces with other parents to buy big batches of printer paper, crayons and folders from warehouse clubs like BJ's or Costco. Organize an outing through email or with a website like . I've done this and saved hundreds of dollars." —Betty Baez
PHOTO: M_a_y_a
Collect Coupons
Collect Coupons
"If you coupon, let your coworkers know. A lot of people don't, and they're happy to pass their extras along to you. Plus, the more coupons I accumulate, the more items I can donate to my school and church." —Megan Genz, early childhood special education teacher, Waconia, MN
Download to Save
Download to Save
"When you're looking for school supplies, download retailers' apps for bonus deals. The Cartwheel by Target app, for instance, offers 5% to 30% discounts off. You can use this discount in addition to regular coupons and the REDcard loyalty card." –Haley Wolgamot, 2nd-grade teacher, Altavista, VA
Preserve Your Printer Ink
Preserve Your Printer Ink
"In the fall, my printer goes into overdrive—and ink cartridges are expensive! To save money, replace them only when they streak (to extend the lifespan of a cartridge, remove it from the printer, shake it and put it back in). During times when you don't use your printer much—like during Christmas break—take out the cartridge and put clear tape over the ink holes on the bottom to make it last longer." —Vicki Davis, 8th- to 12th-grade teacher, Camilla, GA
PHOTO: daitoZen
Save on Cell Service
Save on Cell Service
"Parents who buy their kids cell phones may not know that some wireless providers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others offer monthly discounts of up to 20% based on employment or affiliation with an organization like AAA or certain credit unions. Check the company's website for details." —Richard Platt, teacher educator, Willoughby, OH
PHOTO: JGI/Jamie Grill
Reap Rewards
Reap Rewards
"I save a lot of money using my credit cards' cash-back feature. The highest-reward categories change every few months, so I set a reminder to check current offers. That way, I can get the most for my money." —Janelle Gondar
Bonus Tip: If you're in the market for a new rewards credit card, get it early in the school year. According to a NerdWallet study, companies offer their best rewards in late August or early fall.
PHOTO: Betsie Van der Meer
Wait for Deals
Wait for deals
"Convince your kids to hold on to last year's backpacks or lunchboxes, even if they're looking a little worn , until a week or so after school has started. Then you'll be able to pick up quality school gear for a fraction of the usual cost from brands like Lands' End and JanSport. Plus, those companies offer a lifetime warranty." — Kaitlin Bartholomew, former teacher, Richmond, VA;
PHOTO: david franklin
Search on Craiglist
Search on Craigslist
"When teachers retire, they're often looking to get rid of educational items that they've gathered over the years. To find supplies, go to the ' for sale' section of and type in 'teacher.' I've gotten posters, games and dictionaries, all for a dollar or less." —Janelle Gondar, substitute teacher, New Haven , CT
Avoid Tax
Avoid Tax
"Make sure to put tax-free days on your calendar. In Florida, where I teach, there are three days in August when all items bought for back to school are tax-free." -—Betty Baez, kindergarten teacher, West Palm Beach, FL
BONUS TIP: Stores will often schedule sales on tax-free days, so your savings will be even bigger. The dates change every year—check for an up-to-date list.
PHOTO: YinYang
Buy in Bulk
Buy in Bulk
"You'll get the best bargains at a store, not through your child's school. Join forces with other parents to buy big batches of printer paper, crayons and folders from warehouse clubs like BJ's or Costco. Organize an outing through email or with a website like . I've done this and saved hundreds of dollars." —Betty Baez
PHOTO: M_a_y_a
Collect Coupons
Collect Coupons
"If you coupon, let your coworkers know. A lot of people don't, and they're happy to pass their extras along to you. Plus, the more coupons I accumulate, the more items I can donate to my school and church." —Megan Genz, early childhood special education teacher, Waconia, MN
Download to Save
Download to Save
"When you're looking for school supplies, download retailers' apps for bonus deals. The Cartwheel by Target app, for instance, offers 5% to 30% discounts off. You can use this discount in addition to regular coupons and the REDcard loyalty card." –Haley Wolgamot, 2nd-grade teacher, Altavista, VA
Preserve Your Printer Ink
Preserve Your Printer Ink
"In the fall, my printer goes into overdrive—and ink cartridges are expensive! To save money, replace them only when they streak (to extend the lifespan of a cartridge, remove it from the printer, shake it and put it back in). During times when you don't use your printer much—like during Christmas break—take out the cartridge and put clear tape over the ink holes on the bottom to make it last longer." —Vicki Davis, 8th- to 12th-grade teacher, Camilla, GA
PHOTO: daitoZen
Save on Cell Service
Save on Cell Service
"Parents who buy their kids cell phones may not know that some wireless providers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others offer monthly discounts of up to 20% based on employment or affiliation with an organization like AAA or certain credit unions. Check the company's website for details." —Richard Platt, teacher educator, Willoughby, OH
PHOTO: JGI/Jamie Grill
Reap Rewards
Reap Rewards
"I save a lot of money using my credit cards' cash-back feature. The highest-reward categories change every few months, so I set a reminder to check current offers. That way, I can get the most for my money." —Janelle Gondar
Bonus Tip: If you're in the market for a new rewards credit card, get it early in the school year. According to a NerdWallet study, companies offer their best rewards in late August or early fall.
PHOTO: Betsie Van der Meer
Wait for Deals
Wait for deals
"Convince your kids to hold on to last year's backpacks or lunchboxes, even if they're looking a little worn , until a week or so after school has started. Then you'll be able to pick up quality school gear for a fraction of the usual cost from brands like Lands' End and JanSport. Plus, those companies offer a lifetime warranty." — Kaitlin Bartholomew, former teacher, Richmond, VA;
PHOTO: david franklin
Search on Craiglist
Search on Craigslist
"When teachers retire, they're often looking to get rid of educational items that they've gathered over the years. To find supplies, go to the ' for sale' section of and type in 'teacher.' I've gotten posters, games and dictionaries, all for a dollar or less." —Janelle Gondar, substitute teacher, New Haven , CT
Avoid Tax
Avoid Tax
"Make sure to put tax-free days on your calendar. In Florida, where I teach, there are three days in August when all items bought for back to school are tax-free." -—Betty Baez, kindergarten teacher, West Palm Beach, FL
BONUS TIP: Stores will often schedule sales on tax-free days, so your savings will be even bigger. The dates change every year—check for an up-to-date list.
PHOTO: YinYang
Buy in Bulk
Buy in Bulk
"You'll get the best bargains at a store, not through your child's school. Join forces with other parents to buy big batches of printer paper, crayons and folders from warehouse clubs like BJ's or Costco. Organize an outing through email or with a website like . I've done this and saved hundreds of dollars." —Betty Baez
PHOTO: M_a_y_a
Collect Coupons
Collect Coupons
"If you coupon, let your coworkers know. A lot of people don't, and they're happy to pass their extras along to you. Plus, the more coupons I accumulate, the more items I can donate to my school and church." —Megan Genz, early childhood special education teacher, Waconia, MN
Download to Save
Download to Save
"When you're looking for school supplies, download retailers' apps for bonus deals. The Cartwheel by Target app, for instance, offers 5% to 30% discounts off. You can use this discount in addition to regular coupons and the REDcard loyalty card." –Haley Wolgamot, 2nd-grade teacher, Altavista, VA
Preserve Your Printer Ink
Preserve Your Printer Ink
"In the fall, my printer goes into overdrive—and ink cartridges are expensive! To save money, replace them only when they streak (to extend the lifespan of a cartridge, remove it from the printer, shake it and put it back in). During times when you don't use your printer much—like during Christmas break—take out the cartridge and put clear tape over the ink holes on the bottom to make it last longer." —Vicki Davis, 8th- to 12th-grade teacher, Camilla, GA
PHOTO: daitoZen
Save on Cell Service
Save on Cell Service
"Parents who buy their kids cell phones may not know that some wireless providers like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and others offer monthly discounts of up to 20% based on employment or affiliation with an organization like AAA or certain credit unions. Check the company's website for details." —Richard Platt, teacher educator, Willoughby, OH
PHOTO: JGI/Jamie Grill
Reap Rewards
Reap Rewards
"I save a lot of money using my credit cards' cash-back feature. The highest-reward categories change every few months, so I set a reminder to check current offers. That way, I can get the most for my money." —Janelle Gondar
Bonus Tip: If you're in the market for a new rewards credit card, get it early in the school year. According to a NerdWallet study, companies offer their best rewards in late August or early fall.
PHOTO: Betsie Van der Meer
Let's be honest, who knows better than them?
They taught you to add, subtract and sound out words like bargain—so is it any surprise that teachers tend to know their way around back-to-school shopping? Pull out your pencils: Class is in session.