With Back to School upon us, I figured this was the perfect Guest post to feature here on Wheel n Deal Mama!
4 Ways to Save on Back To School
The phrase “back to school” might sound great when you’re thinking about how quiet the house is going to be, but it may strike dread into the heart at the thought of purchasing all those supplies. If you’re quailing at the thought of another year of stacked up binders and three-hole punch paper, you’re not alone; the average parent in 2013 is projected to spend well over $500 getting each child ready for Back To School, according to BankRate. There’s still no need to despair, however. There are many ways to save money on Back To School supplies, no matter how many children you have.
Swap, Don’t Buy
Children run through clothing at a rapid pace, but they also run through them for a variety of reasons. If you have fashion-conscious children who refuse to wear anything that isn’t brand-new and brand-name, you may be out of luck. However, those parents of younger children (and fashion-unconscious children) may have good luck trying a clothing swap. Contact the other parents in your neighborhood, including those with children in a wide variety of ages, and bring all clothing to a swap. Clothes that didn’t fit right, were worn and forgotten, and were simply “not in” can all go into the pile, and each child gets something new.
Consider Refurbishment
Computers are one of the most upsetting expenses for many parents who have been promising a new computer for school. These machines can easily run up to $1,000 once all the extra features and accessories have been purchased. However, many computer manufacturers will offer a much better deal on a refurbished machine. Refurbishment simply means that the machine did not work at one time, but has been fixed by the makers up to factory standards, and can save you a great deal of money. There are other websites on which you can find computer coupons, as well, and hopefully this HP coupon can get you $10 off.
Stock Up In Advance
You may want to buy clothing and electronics for your children every year, but paper is something you need to replace constantly. Students go through paper so quickly that it makes sense to buy it in bulk at the start of the year, when every big box store is offering a fantastic deal on school supplies. If you shop frugally, you can get a whole year’s worth of paper for just a few dollars, rather than having to run back and stock up all the time. As a bonus, you’ll be able to save yourself the trips and gas money throughout the school year.
Make A List
When you’re shopping, it always seems like a good idea to buy those few extra items. However, as wise as impulse buys may seem at the time, they rarely wind up netting useful items at a good price. More useful is to think critically about what you need before leaving home, and make a detailed list. By sticking to a budget, you’ll be more likely to save money.
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