When turtlenecks replace tank tops, you know the seasons are changing. Autumn is just around the corner (I’m sorry, I had to say it!), and that means one thing for thousands of children and adults of all ages: back to school. For many, back to school also means a fun shopping trip for some new duds and a stop at the department store for shiny new paperclips.
With the purse strings still a bit on the tight side, I thought it might be nice to share some ideas on how to prepare for school without blowing up your piggybank.

To begin, I am a big believer in the proverb “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. This carries into everything in life, but especially in the world of shopping. With a well-prepared list, you are less likely to grab unnecessary or frivolous items that you’ll use once and forget at the bottom of your basket, backpack, or toolbox.

Using a dog-eared page of notebook paper left over from the last school year, sit down and make an appropriate game plan (white board and coach whistle not required). Make a list of all the items that you think you will need to last you for the next 6 months- the larger the quantity, the better the prices. Now, I know that the disco-ball pencil sharpener that plays “Toxic” may seem like a high priority, but unlike Britney, once the batteries run out this little gadget doesn’t make a comeback.

Once you have a pretty good idea what you need, get ready to shop…. at home.

Take inventory of what you have left over from last year, and what other items you have around the house that can be transferred into a pencil case rather than taking up space in a junk drawer. Use the free pens, pencils, and other branded office supplies handed out by businesses and banks! I must warn you to use some discretion- if you are preparing for back to school for your child or younger sibling, the ruler you were given as a Thank You for your patronage at The Swedish Touch Massage Parlor may not be deemed appropriate.

I’ve got some great news for you now- businesses are very competitive for your back to school dollars, so if you keep your eyes open there are lots of deals to be had for the remaining items on your list. The best part? You still don’t even have to leave your home. Watch the weekly sales fliers that arrive in the mail and cherry pick the lowest prices on the items at each store. After you’ve done that, check each stores’ respective website to see if you can get a further discount for ordering online.

It is important to be aware of what stores price match- if there is one close to home, go there! You’ll save gas and save yourself the hassle of driving/biking/walking from store to store. With that saved cash in gas money, you might even be able to afford a refreshing cream soda after your hard days work.

Now: let’s go shopping. For real. Head out into the jungle of fluorescent post-it notes, sparkly pencils, and bedazzled rulers. Beware, people! We are now in the danger zone. Once we have left the safety of our own home, it is easy to get caught up in the “Its only $1.99” mindset. If you are in the store only for the note tabs, don’t even look at anything else. Its much like the cheese cart at a fancy restaurant- it will only hurt you in the end if you overindulge.

Buy your basics in bulk- a three-pack of binders, an obscene amount of notepaper, and a 25-pack of erasers. The more you buy, the less it costs in the end, and the more time you save yourself from going back and forth to the store when you are your busiest. Other than just heading to your local Staples or Office Depot, don’t forget that dollar stores and eBay offer great prices on these items, especially in bulk amounts. Heck, if you really get on top of it, organize a group of friends, peers, or parents, and negotiate with a wholesaler for a group discount. Just make sure that the 1000-pack of pencils comes pre-sharpened.

By staying organized and focused over the next month, it is fairly easy to get what you need at a fraction of the price. Keep a copy of your list handy and check yard sales and thrift stores while running regular errands, and you’ll be ready in no time, whether you like it or not.

Stay tuned for next week’s addition to how we can better use our resources to screw the recession on our way back to school….

Makes Cents (2)

This entry was posted on Friday, August 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm and is filed under Living, Money. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Tags: Add new tag, Back to School, Britney Spears, Budget, Melissa Janke Oliver, Office Depot, Recession, Savings, Screw You Recession, Staples