30 surprising ways to save on school supplies
Cut costs on everything your child needs
Sign up for rewards.
Sign up for rewards.
Get exclusive savings by signing up for a store rewards program. Whether you're shopping at , or , many retailers offer coupons or cashback rewards throughout the year.
Reuse old supplies.
Why not comb through your kids' backpacks and rooms to find supplies from last year that can be used again? You can also search for gently used or overstock items on .
Save when you pack.
This year, vow to stop buying expensive, one-use juice boxes and milk cartons. Instead, invest in a reusable water container. Then hunt down reusable snack and sandwich containers. Vow to use plastic bags and tin foil sparingly. Instead, opt for a .
Turn shopping into a game.
According to Christine Koh, founder and editor of , you probably already have all the school supplies you need right in your house. "It's just a matter of finding them and assessing." This year she gave her daughter a list of everything she needed for school and turned it into a scavenger hunt. "She went through the house and pulled out folders, pencils, pens, etc. — and she had everything on the list!"
Know when it pays to spend more.
Inexpensive supplies are a no-brainer, except when it comes to something like backpacks. "We used to buy the kids' backpacks for $20 or less but found we were replacing them by December," says Kimberly Vetrano of . "Now we buy quality backpacks they can use for a few years for around $40."
Split the shopping.
When you've narrowed down your shopping list, it's time to comparison shop. If you've got a membership to a large warehouse savings store such as , consider buying supplies in bulk and dividing up the items between two or three families.
Shop tax-free.
Some states offer . Considering most public schools require students show up the first day with tons of new tools, this is super help — especially for big families.
Wait for penny deals.
Retailers like often run on supplies like spiral notebooks and highlighters, ranging from just a penny to 20¢. Tammy Lessick of Sanford, North Carolina loves the 1¢ school supplies offered in the summer at stores like OfficeMax and Staples, but she doesn't love the limits-per-customer rule. Her solution? Take a friend along and get double the allowed amount.
Swap, don't buy.
Connect with other moms on social media or your friends to trade items you no longer need for supplies you can use, so you won't have to spend any money.
PHOTO: MoMo Productions
Buy gently used supplies.
Need a costly gadget like an external hard drive or a graphing calculator? Order a gently used or refurbished one from to save up to 40%.
Shop out of season.
Instead of paying a premium for the latest styles, Kimberly Vetrano tries to purchase winter items in the summer and vice versa. "You'd be amazed at how many things you can get for rock-bottom prices that way. If your child is still growing, you can 'guesstimate' what his or her size would be or buy a size or two larger so there's something to grow into."
Don't miss a deal.
Use a comparison shopping tool like to track prices. Download the Hukk It button and you'll receive an email when the item you want goes on sale. Or try , which has helped Mobile, Alabama mom Carolyn McDuffie save hundreds on school clothes for her four kids: "Shop It To Me tracks the brands we like in the kids' sizes and alerts me when they go on sale. Last year I saved $580 by using this site."
Ask for a coupon code.
Online customer service agents can share discounts and promotions that you might not know about. Chat with a representative before you click to purchase.
Follow retailers.
"Like" your favorite stores on Facebook to learn about sales and contests. Last year held a student video contest with prizes ranging from a printer to dorm decor.
Streamline your schedules.
Free calendar apps like let you sync family events, so you'll never get hit with no-show fees for missing appointments like the dentist.
Skip unnecessary supplies
Pencil sharpeners can be cute and colorful, but do your kids really need one? It's probably safe to assume that every classroom has a pencil sharpener. Rooms are usually equipped with heavy-duty sharpeners that work better, anyway.
Get younger siblings excited about hand-me-downs.
Lee Allport of reports her youngest son loves anything that once belonged to his older brother. "We actually do better with hand-me-downs for him than we do with buying new clothes!" she says. "We simply get him excited by telling him that his older brother once wore this outfit, and if we can find a picture to prove it, that's even better."
Take inventory before buying.
Before hitting the stores with her two kids, Kristie Sawickis of makes a list of what they already have and what they still need. "It keeps us from overspending on all the super-cute 'must-have' items that can break the bank," she says.
Add a special touch to lunches.
Special extras don't have to be expensive. Lee uses cookie cutters, which she buys packs of at the dollar store, to cut her son's peanut butter sandwiches into shapes. "It's always a surprise for him when he opens his lunchbox." Leaving an inspirational note for your kids in their lunchboxes just might set the tone for a great day too.
Don't buy snack size.
"Don't fall prey to snack-size options when planning school lunches," warns Kristie. "Buy a full-size bag of crackers and then make your own snack sizes with reusable containers." For creative out-of-the-packaging lunch ideas, check out the of the daily lunches Catherine McCord of packs for her son.
Or new sports equipment.
To help your kids gear up for their sports teams, borrow equipment from older students or checking out sites like , and .
Pick up items when you run other errands.
Kristie recommends always being on the lookout for inexpensive crafts items, like paint, tiles and beads, as an easy way to stockpile school year supplies when they're on sale.
Shop the clearance rack.
Linsey Knerl, a mom of four from Tekamah, Nebraska keeps clothing costs down by snagging $3 clearance T-shirts and tanks right before school starts. "Summer tees printed with graphics can be layered over a solid-colored thermal long-sleeved shirt. My kids love this look," she says.
Add items to your online cart — but don't buy.
If you're planning to buy a computer or laptop online, after registering at the site, put the item in your online shopping cart but don't purchase it right away, advises Greg Hintz, former general manager of Yahoo! Shopping. "The next time you go back, the site may offer you a discount code or markdown," he says.
Save on standardized tests.
The fees for standardized tests that college-bound students take can add up. If your family meets the eligibility guidelines, your child can take standardized tests like the AP exam, PSAT and SAT at a fraction of the usual cost. for specifics on your state's guidelines.
Shop second-hand.
Kami Gray, a professional stylist in Portland, Oregon suggests resale shops like and for middle-school gear (go online for locations). "Buying resale gets them the brands they want at an affordable price, and they can trade in their outgrown clothes for some extra cash," says Gray.
Make field trips affordable.
One of the unexpected school expenses parents have to pony up for: field trips. "Volunteer to check online for tour passes and educational discounts on tickets for upcoming trips," suggests Lenka Keston, former senior product manager for . "If you find a good deal, you can save all the parents money."
Be tech smart.
"Nowadays kids are pretty much required to have a computer for schoolwork," says Sylvia Duong of Rosemead, California. Her two daughters' old computer was slow, but she didn't have money for a new one. Instead, she bought , a computer software program designed to fix, speed up and maintain PCs. "It made a huge difference to my girls — and to my bank account."
Don't buy new musical instruments.
If your child announces that he's joining the band, "don't buy a brand-new musical instrument right off the bat," advises Leah Ingram, a mom of two in New Hope, Pennsylvania and author of the upcoming . "Look for a used one on eBay or . If your child sticks with it and wants to upgrade, you can plan and save for that down the road."
Save on textbooks.
If your child is heading to college, get ready to shell out big bucks for books — unless you shop around. Before you buy, go to comparison shopping sites like or to compare prices. You'll land a better deal this way. You can also rent books or buy used hardbacks.
PHOTO: Compassionate Eye Foundation/Robert Kent
Sign up for rewards.
Sign up for rewards.
Get exclusive savings by signing up for a store rewards program. Whether you're shopping at , or , many retailers offer coupons or cashback rewards throughout the year.
Reuse old supplies.
Why not comb through your kids' backpacks and rooms to find supplies from last year that can be used again? You can also search for gently used or overstock items on .
Save when you pack.
This year, vow to stop buying expensive, one-use juice boxes and milk cartons. Instead, invest in a reusable water container. Then hunt down reusable snack and sandwich containers. Vow to use plastic bags and tin foil sparingly. Instead, opt for a .
Turn shopping into a game.
According to Christine Koh, founder and editor of , you probably already have all the school supplies you need right in your house. "It's just a matter of finding them and assessing." This year she gave her daughter a list of everything she needed for school and turned it into a scavenger hunt. "She went through the house and pulled out folders, pencils, pens, etc. — and she had everything on the list!"
Know when it pays to spend more.
Inexpensive supplies are a no-brainer, except when it comes to something like backpacks. "We used to buy the kids' backpacks for $20 or less but found we were replacing them by December," says Kimberly Vetrano of . "Now we buy quality backpacks they can use for a few years for around $40."
Split the shopping.
When you've narrowed down your shopping list, it's time to comparison shop. If you've got a membership to a large warehouse savings store such as , consider buying supplies in bulk and dividing up the items between two or three families.
Shop tax-free.
Some states offer . Considering most public schools require students show up the first day with tons of new tools, this is super help — especially for big families.
Wait for penny deals.
Retailers like often run on supplies like spiral notebooks and highlighters, ranging from just a penny to 20¢. Tammy Lessick of Sanford, North Carolina loves the 1¢ school supplies offered in the summer at stores like OfficeMax and Staples, but she doesn't love the limits-per-customer rule. Her solution? Take a friend along and get double the allowed amount.
Swap, don't buy.
Connect with other moms on social media or your friends to trade items you no longer need for supplies you can use, so you won't have to spend any money.
PHOTO: MoMo Productions
Buy gently used supplies.
Need a costly gadget like an external hard drive or a graphing calculator? Order a gently used or refurbished one from to save up to 40%.
Shop out of season.
Instead of paying a premium for the latest styles, Kimberly Vetrano tries to purchase winter items in the summer and vice versa. "You'd be amazed at how many things you can get for rock-bottom prices that way. If your child is still growing, you can 'guesstimate' what his or her size would be or buy a size or two larger so there's something to grow into."
Don't miss a deal.
Use a comparison shopping tool like to track prices. Download the Hukk It button and you'll receive an email when the item you want goes on sale. Or try , which has helped Mobile, Alabama mom Carolyn McDuffie save hundreds on school clothes for her four kids: "Shop It To Me tracks the brands we like in the kids' sizes and alerts me when they go on sale. Last year I saved $580 by using this site."
Ask for a coupon code.
Online customer service agents can share discounts and promotions that you might not know about. Chat with a representative before you click to purchase.
Follow retailers.
"Like" your favorite stores on Facebook to learn about sales and contests. Last year held a student video contest with prizes ranging from a printer to dorm decor.
Streamline your schedules.
Free calendar apps like let you sync family events, so you'll never get hit with no-show fees for missing appointments like the dentist.
Skip unnecessary supplies
Pencil sharpeners can be cute and colorful, but do your kids really need one? It's probably safe to assume that every classroom has a pencil sharpener. Rooms are usually equipped with heavy-duty sharpeners that work better, anyway.
Get younger siblings excited about hand-me-downs.
Lee Allport of reports her youngest son loves anything that once belonged to his older brother. "We actually do better with hand-me-downs for him than we do with buying new clothes!" she says. "We simply get him excited by telling him that his older brother once wore this outfit, and if we can find a picture to prove it, that's even better."
Take inventory before buying.
Before hitting the stores with her two kids, Kristie Sawickis of makes a list of what they already have and what they still need. "It keeps us from overspending on all the super-cute 'must-have' items that can break the bank," she says.
Add a special touch to lunches.
Special extras don't have to be expensive. Lee uses cookie cutters, which she buys packs of at the dollar store, to cut her son's peanut butter sandwiches into shapes. "It's always a surprise for him when he opens his lunchbox." Leaving an inspirational note for your kids in their lunchboxes just might set the tone for a great day too.
Don't buy snack size.
"Don't fall prey to snack-size options when planning school lunches," warns Kristie. "Buy a full-size bag of crackers and then make your own snack sizes with reusable containers." For creative out-of-the-packaging lunch ideas, check out the of the daily lunches Catherine McCord of packs for her son.
Or new sports equipment.
To help your kids gear up for their sports teams, borrow equipment from older students or checking out sites like , and .
Pick up items when you run other errands.
Kristie recommends always being on the lookout for inexpensive crafts items, like paint, tiles and beads, as an easy way to stockpile school year supplies when they're on sale.
Shop the clearance rack.
Linsey Knerl, a mom of four from Tekamah, Nebraska keeps clothing costs down by snagging $3 clearance T-shirts and tanks right before school starts. "Summer tees printed with graphics can be layered over a solid-colored thermal long-sleeved shirt. My kids love this look," she says.
Add items to your online cart — but don't buy.
If you're planning to buy a computer or laptop online, after registering at the site, put the item in your online shopping cart but don't purchase it right away, advises Greg Hintz, former general manager of Yahoo! Shopping. "The next time you go back, the site may offer you a discount code or markdown," he says.
Save on standardized tests.
The fees for standardized tests that college-bound students take can add up. If your family meets the eligibility guidelines, your child can take standardized tests like the AP exam, PSAT and SAT at a fraction of the usual cost. for specifics on your state's guidelines.
Shop second-hand.
Kami Gray, a professional stylist in Portland, Oregon suggests resale shops like and for middle-school gear (go online for locations). "Buying resale gets them the brands they want at an affordable price, and they can trade in their outgrown clothes for some extra cash," says Gray.
Make field trips affordable.
One of the unexpected school expenses parents have to pony up for: field trips. "Volunteer to check online for tour passes and educational discounts on tickets for upcoming trips," suggests Lenka Keston, former senior product manager for . "If you find a good deal, you can save all the parents money."
Be tech smart.
"Nowadays kids are pretty much required to have a computer for schoolwork," says Sylvia Duong of Rosemead, California. Her two daughters' old computer was slow, but she didn't have money for a new one. Instead, she bought , a computer software program designed to fix, speed up and maintain PCs. "It made a huge difference to my girls — and to my bank account."
Don't buy new musical instruments.
If your child announces that he's joining the band, "don't buy a brand-new musical instrument right off the bat," advises Leah Ingram, a mom of two in New Hope, Pennsylvania and author of the upcoming . "Look for a used one on eBay or . If your child sticks with it and wants to upgrade, you can plan and save for that down the road."
Save on textbooks.
If your child is heading to college, get ready to shell out big bucks for books — unless you shop around. Before you buy, go to comparison shopping sites like or to compare prices. You'll land a better deal this way. You can also rent books or buy used hardbacks.
PHOTO: Compassionate Eye Foundation/Robert Kent
Sign up for rewards.
Sign up for rewards.
Get exclusive savings by signing up for a store rewards program. Whether you're shopping at , or , many retailers offer coupons or cashback rewards throughout the year.
Reuse old supplies.
Why not comb through your kids' backpacks and rooms to find supplies from last year that can be used again? You can also search for gently used or overstock items on .
Save when you pack.
This year, vow to stop buying expensive, one-use juice boxes and milk cartons. Instead, invest in a reusable water container. Then hunt down reusable snack and sandwich containers. Vow to use plastic bags and tin foil sparingly. Instead, opt for a .
Turn shopping into a game.
According to Christine Koh, founder and editor of , you probably already have all the school supplies you need right in your house. "It's just a matter of finding them and assessing." This year she gave her daughter a list of everything she needed for school and turned it into a scavenger hunt. "She went through the house and pulled out folders, pencils, pens, etc. — and she had everything on the list!"
Know when it pays to spend more.
Inexpensive supplies are a no-brainer, except when it comes to something like backpacks. "We used to buy the kids' backpacks for $20 or less but found we were replacing them by December," says Kimberly Vetrano of . "Now we buy quality backpacks they can use for a few years for around $40."
Split the shopping.
When you've narrowed down your shopping list, it's time to comparison shop. If you've got a membership to a large warehouse savings store such as , consider buying supplies in bulk and dividing up the items between two or three families.
Shop tax-free.
Some states offer . Considering most public schools require students show up the first day with tons of new tools, this is super help — especially for big families.
Wait for penny deals.
Retailers like often run on supplies like spiral notebooks and highlighters, ranging from just a penny to 20¢. Tammy Lessick of Sanford, North Carolina loves the 1¢ school supplies offered in the summer at stores like OfficeMax and Staples, but she doesn't love the limits-per-customer rule. Her solution? Take a friend along and get double the allowed amount.
Swap, don't buy.
Connect with other moms on social media or your friends to trade items you no longer need for supplies you can use, so you won't have to spend any money.
PHOTO: MoMo Productions
Buy gently used supplies.
Need a costly gadget like an external hard drive or a graphing calculator? Order a gently used or refurbished one from to save up to 40%.
Shop out of season.
Instead of paying a premium for the latest styles, Kimberly Vetrano tries to purchase winter items in the summer and vice versa. "You'd be amazed at how many things you can get for rock-bottom prices that way. If your child is still growing, you can 'guesstimate' what his or her size would be or buy a size or two larger so there's something to grow into."
Don't miss a deal.
Use a comparison shopping tool like to track prices. Download the Hukk It button and you'll receive an email when the item you want goes on sale. Or try , which has helped Mobile, Alabama mom Carolyn McDuffie save hundreds on school clothes for her four kids: "Shop It To Me tracks the brands we like in the kids' sizes and alerts me when they go on sale. Last year I saved $580 by using this site."
Ask for a coupon code.
Online customer service agents can share discounts and promotions that you might not know about. Chat with a representative before you click to purchase.
Follow retailers.
"Like" your favorite stores on Facebook to learn about sales and contests. Last year held a student video contest with prizes ranging from a printer to dorm decor.
Streamline your schedules.
Free calendar apps like let you sync family events, so you'll never get hit with no-show fees for missing appointments like the dentist.
Skip unnecessary supplies
Pencil sharpeners can be cute and colorful, but do your kids really need one? It's probably safe to assume that every classroom has a pencil sharpener. Rooms are usually equipped with heavy-duty sharpeners that work better, anyway.
Get younger siblings excited about hand-me-downs.
Lee Allport of reports her youngest son loves anything that once belonged to his older brother. "We actually do better with hand-me-downs for him than we do with buying new clothes!" she says. "We simply get him excited by telling him that his older brother once wore this outfit, and if we can find a picture to prove it, that's even better."
Take inventory before buying.
Before hitting the stores with her two kids, Kristie Sawickis of makes a list of what they already have and what they still need. "It keeps us from overspending on all the super-cute 'must-have' items that can break the bank," she says.
Add a special touch to lunches.
Special extras don't have to be expensive. Lee uses cookie cutters, which she buys packs of at the dollar store, to cut her son's peanut butter sandwiches into shapes. "It's always a surprise for him when he opens his lunchbox." Leaving an inspirational note for your kids in their lunchboxes just might set the tone for a great day too.
Don't buy snack size.
"Don't fall prey to snack-size options when planning school lunches," warns Kristie. "Buy a full-size bag of crackers and then make your own snack sizes with reusable containers." For creative out-of-the-packaging lunch ideas, check out the of the daily lunches Catherine McCord of packs for her son.
Or new sports equipment.
To help your kids gear up for their sports teams, borrow equipment from older students or checking out sites like , and .
Pick up items when you run other errands.
Kristie recommends always being on the lookout for inexpensive crafts items, like paint, tiles and beads, as an easy way to stockpile school year supplies when they're on sale.
Shop the clearance rack.
Linsey Knerl, a mom of four from Tekamah, Nebraska keeps clothing costs down by snagging $3 clearance T-shirts and tanks right before school starts. "Summer tees printed with graphics can be layered over a solid-colored thermal long-sleeved shirt. My kids love this look," she says.
Add items to your online cart — but don't buy.
If you're planning to buy a computer or laptop online, after registering at the site, put the item in your online shopping cart but don't purchase it right away, advises Greg Hintz, former general manager of Yahoo! Shopping. "The next time you go back, the site may offer you a discount code or markdown," he says.
Save on standardized tests.
The fees for standardized tests that college-bound students take can add up. If your family meets the eligibility guidelines, your child can take standardized tests like the AP exam, PSAT and SAT at a fraction of the usual cost. for specifics on your state's guidelines.
Shop second-hand.
Kami Gray, a professional stylist in Portland, Oregon suggests resale shops like and for middle-school gear (go online for locations). "Buying resale gets them the brands they want at an affordable price, and they can trade in their outgrown clothes for some extra cash," says Gray.
Make field trips affordable.
One of the unexpected school expenses parents have to pony up for: field trips. "Volunteer to check online for tour passes and educational discounts on tickets for upcoming trips," suggests Lenka Keston, former senior product manager for . "If you find a good deal, you can save all the parents money."
Be tech smart.
"Nowadays kids are pretty much required to have a computer for schoolwork," says Sylvia Duong of Rosemead, California. Her two daughters' old computer was slow, but she didn't have money for a new one. Instead, she bought , a computer software program designed to fix, speed up and maintain PCs. "It made a huge difference to my girls — and to my bank account."
Don't buy new musical instruments.
If your child announces that he's joining the band, "don't buy a brand-new musical instrument right off the bat," advises Leah Ingram, a mom of two in New Hope, Pennsylvania and author of the upcoming . "Look for a used one on eBay or . If your child sticks with it and wants to upgrade, you can plan and save for that down the road."
Save on textbooks.
If your child is heading to college, get ready to shell out big bucks for books — unless you shop around. Before you buy, go to comparison shopping sites like or to compare prices. You'll land a better deal this way. You can also rent books or buy used hardbacks.
PHOTO: Compassionate Eye Foundation/Robert Kent
Cut costs on everything your child needs
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Buying school supplies for the new year can really add up — and fast. So save money with these simple shopping hacks that will set your kids up for a successful school year and beyond. Not to mention they'll help out your wallet, too.