How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping
Don't break the bank sending the kids back to class
For many students across the country, school is starting again in just a few weeks. So the time to do your back-to-school shopping is here, and we have some advice to help you save as much as possible as you tick items off the list.
The National Retail Federation reports that, as of early July, more than half of families shopping for school supplies have already started. Many shoppers took advantage of big sales in July, but if you missed out, there will still be plenty of opportunities to save before the first bell rings. Saving is paramount this year, as Deloitte reports that parents are making an effort to save more on back-to-school shopping so that they have more room in the budget for their kids’ extracurricular activities.
The good news is that no matter where or when you shop and what you need for school, there are plenty of ways to cut costs and stay under budget. Follow these steps to make sure you get everything on your list.
Smart Shopping Strategies
1. Take your time shopping. By starting to look for everything on your back-to-school shopping list early, you can spend more time researching your options and searching for deals and discounts on whatever you need. If something on your list goes on sale between now and the start of school, you can snatch it up then, rather than paying full price because you waited too long and have no other choice.
And don’t feel pressured to get every single item on your child’s supply list before the first day of school. Ask the teachers which items are needed right away, then purchase the remaining supplies later. You’ll still be able to find deals even after school starts, especially since, in the last few years, Amazon has held big sales in October to jumpstart the holiday shopping season (and other retailers have begun to follow suit).
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4. Shop major sales this summer. There are plenty of opportunities to find deep discounts on many items on your list. While the biggest sales at Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart happened earlier this month, there will still be plenty of savings events aimed at back-to-school shoppers well into September. And Labor Day will bring about plenty of discounts as well, especially on seasonal items like summer apparel.
5. Go shopping with a plan. Set a budget for back-to-school shopping before you go to stores, then figure out how much you can spend for various items on the list. If you have older children, this process can be a valuable personal-finance learning opportunity, and it’s a great way to ensure you don’t deviate from the list. And do a quick inventory at home, too, to make sure you’re not stocking up on things like pens and pencils when you already have a decent supply.
6. Compare prices before you buy. A few minutes of searching online can help you make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. Consumer Reports lists prices at various retailers for products we test, so you can see a quick snapshot of who’s charging what. And for items we don’t test, such as clothing, there are plenty of online tools, including Google Shopping, that aggregate prices in one place to save time.
If you’re shopping in a store, many retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, will match competitors’ prices at the register, so you may be able to get a better price without even leaving the store. Every retailer’s policy is different, however. For example, Walmart will match the price on only one item per customer per day, and only if it’s available at walmart.com for a better price. The retail giant no longer price matches against other stores.
Target will match the price only if you find the item for less at target.com or select other retailers after purchasing it at Target. Target then refunds the difference, but you have only 14 days after purchase to request a price adjustment. Best Buy will match prices from its list of qualified competitors whether you’re ordering online or shopping in stores.
7. Spread out your shopping. Most shoppers will look to major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, but these aren’t your only options. Other good places to find school supplies are dollar stores, office supply stores, and wholesale stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club.
Wholesale clubs can be especially good for large families or multiple families who shop together and split up bulk supplies. Note that it might not be worth paying a membership fee solely to save on back-to-school shopping. But you can always team up with another family to split the cost of membership—and these stores usually allow you to cancel your membership anytime, so you won’t have to keep it if you don’t want it.
8. Consider buying refurbished electronics. Rather than splurging on a brand-new computer or phone, look for a certified used model from a reputable seller, such as Amazon, or the manufacturer itself. Especially if you’re looking to keep costs down, this can be a good way to find a machine that will meet your needs at a lower cost. The same logic can be applied to previous-year models.
9. Keep an eye on sales after you’re done shopping. If something goes on sale after you buy it, you might be able to get some of your money back. Different retailers have different policies for this, but many retailers give you about two weeks to request a partial refund. And if that doesn’t work, you can always return and repurchase the item to take advantage of the savings.
