Back to School Bargain Shopping Tips

Back to school - the words inspire excitement: new beginnings, new teachers, new friends. And yet, they can also inspire fear, because back to school purchases can add up to serious cash. As a bargain-seeking veteran with three children in school, here are my strategies for going back to school in style for little money.

1. READ THE ADS. Beginning in July, most office stores and general stores (Office Depot, Staples, Office Max, Meijer, WalMart, etc.) will advertise "loss leader" products at dirt-cheap prices in hopes of getting you into their stores to pay higher prices on non-discounted merchandise. I go shopping for groceries and other essentials once weekly, and just work the bargain stores into my stops. For instance, if one week in July Staples has packs of pencils for .01 and bottles of glue for .05, I'll stop in and buy a few. Stock up ONLY on the sale items. I know, it's harder to shop this way (buying a little each week), but you will save a lot of money if you do this rather than going to one store with your list and buying the whole thing.

2. STOCKPILE. This is really the key to saving. If a store has a super price on an item like markers or glue, buy several even if you don't think you'll need any for that school year. I put all these items in a box in the basement labeled "School". Then in the summer, we "shop" from this box before going to the store at all. Often, I have enough stockpiled at bargain-basement prices that we have to buy very little new.

3. FINISHING UP. The week before school begins, go over your school list and compile all the items you've been able to purchase weekly from sale ads. If there are items left that you haven't purchased, make a trip to ONE everyday-low-prices store to buy what is left (for instance, I would not buy things full-price at an office supply store as they are often very high-priced. Try Wal Mart for things you must buy at full-price).

4. CLOTHES. I know that many people love the thrill of "back to school clothes shopping", but if you're a true bargain hunter I feel this is a bad idea. Although there are clothing sales at this time of year, they are not typically very good. Instead, shop garage sales during the summer to stock up on school clothes. Prices at most sales are very reasonable and you can find clothes in excellent condition. If your child must have new, many stores put summer clothes on clearance in July/August and you can buy things then. For the future, try to shop for the NEXT year during clearance cycles. For instance, in February try to shop clearance clothes sales for fall/winter clothing for NEXT year for your child. The bargains you'll find will be so addicting that you'll never want to pay full price again.

You'll be off to a great start for the school year with the money you've saved by shopping smart!