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 there are plenty of ways to save on those purchases.
The National Retail Federation reported that 25 percent of shoppers started buying their school supplies as early as June this year. This could be partly because of expectations of higher costs across the board; 80 percent of shoppers are planning for things to be more expensive, especially when it comes to clothing and shoes, school supplies, tech, and furniture for dorm rooms.
Parents are also prioritizing school supplies and essentials over tech and clothing this year, according to a recent Deloitte survey. It also found that families will spend about 10 percent less this year compared with last, and finding deals and discounts will be more important than ever this year.
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.
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Smart Shopping Strategies
1. Take your time shopping. By starting to look for everything on your back-to-school shopping list now, 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.