As my oldest is about to start kindergarten, my mind is constantly racing with different emotions: apprehension, excitement, pride, you get it. I put the final touches on his homework station, we are finishing up his 1,000 books before Kindergarten challenge (20 left!), buying new school clothes, the works. I was generally feeling like a great mom.
Then last week, my neighbor mentioned the School Supply List was posted on the school website. What? Turns out I am expected to purchase the supplies BEFORE school starts and bring them to the classroom BEFORE I meet his teacher at curriculum which is BEFORE Labor Day. Who Knew?
So I spoke with many moms I know to create this handy list of tips for you (and me.)
Know your Stores. It seems like the best and easiest places to purchase supplies are Target, Walmart, Meijer and the Dollar Tree. So pick a few of those places and start your research.
Don’t assume Dollar Tree is cheapest. Check the website to see what supplies they carry, then see if they are cheaper elsewhere, especially with sales. Some big box stores will take a loss on items to lure you in to buy other things. Why else would Meijer sell plastic pencil boxes for $0.97? (as of the time I wrote this anyway…)
Sales. Sales. Sales. Obviously of these stores run various sales promotions. Here’s the ad lengths/run times, etc:
- Target sale prices are valid Sunday through Saturday of the current week.
- Walmart weekly sale prices run Sunday through Saturday, but they often have additional ads that run for longer.
- Meijer weekly ads run Sunday through Saturday, the also have two day sales and weekly ads especially for back to school.
- Dollar Tree ads run for three weeks, Sunday through the Saturday 21 days later (example July 17-August 6.)
Store Savings Cards. When you decide where you are going to buy your supplies, don’t forget to check the store-specific savings program to get even more savings or incentives. Target’s Cartwheel, Meijer M-Perks and the The WalMart Savings Catcher program can all help you save.
Share Info. If
you see a great price on a supply, let other moms know! I never would have known about the crayon situation below if not for a mom friend!
Bigger Is Sometimes Better. As of the time I write this, a 16-pack of Crayola Crayons at Target is $4.39. A 24 count Crayola Crayons (eight more!) is on sale for $1.37. The same 24 count Crayola Crayons are $0.50 a box at Meijer. Seriously.
Generic Is Good – If Your School Permits It. The example for this is pencils. Apparently Ticonderoga pencils are the undisputed best 
pencil out there. And if your child’s teacher requests that brand, it is for a reason – buy it. But if not, go for the generic. When I wrote this, 15 count Ticonderoga pencils were on sale at Walmart for $5.37. A 20 pack of Dixon pencils at Walmart was $0.97.
Don’t Go For Gimmicks. Of course the glitter folder is really cool. But the plain one is cheaper, works the same way and doesn’t leave fairy dust behind!
Separate Wants from Needs. The school will give you a list of what your child needs for the year. There will be things they want as well. Try and stick to the basic needs – it will save you money.
Think Long Term. – Sure $39.00 for a PBK or Lands End Backpack or lunch bag seems expensive, but the quality is great. Some even have years-long guarantees. So if you drop the $39.00 (or even less with a promo code) and it lasts four years, that’s only $10.00 a year for a backpack. That’s cheaper than you can find on sale anywhere around town!
Shop Online. Online prices may be different than in-store. Plus there’s additional savings codes. Just don’t be surprised when your $35.00 order comes in 17 different envelopes and boxes.
Admit You Might Be Wrong. Don’t be afraid to venture out of your norm. I am a die-hard Targeter. I was planning on going there for my son’s supplies. Now I’m not so sure….*see the sample price table I created below which reflects that on the items I checked online, Target wasn’t always the best deal.*
What school supply buying tips do you have to share with us?
| ITEM | TARGET | MEIJER | WALMART |
| 24 Count Crayola | $1.37 | $0.50 | $0.50 |
| Expo Dry Erase Markers – 4 count | $4.49 | $3.49 | $3.42 |
| 30 pack of Elmer’s Glue Sticks | 9.89 | Only had six packs for $1.99…so $9.95 | $9.86 |
| 24 count Ticonderoga Pencils | $5.89 | $3.99 | $4.47 |
| Fiskars 5: Blunt Tip Scissors | $1.99 | $1.49 | $3.49 |
| 100 Clear Sheet Protectors | Avery Brand
$6.99 |
Avery Brand
$12.99 |
C-Line Brand
$9.61 |
| Wide Rule Notebook – 70 pages | Varies by store! | $0.59 | $0.17 |
I often find even better deals at office supply stores. Office max has the penny deals on things like pencils and erasers. Sure you have to spend $5 to get the items for a penny but it still often comes out cheaper than any of the bog box stores.