Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a chore – you can take advantage of coupons, early sales, and online shopping to save money on the necessities. With these tips, buying all the school supplies you need for the upcoming year will be more accessible than ever. But before you head to the store, make sure you know where to shop.
Coupons
Coupons for back-to-school shopping are a great way to save money on your children’s new school supplies. Many major retailers offer great deals on school supplies, such as backpacks and uniforms, from late July to early September. Knowing where to look is the key to saving money on your back-to-school shopping.
Coupons for back-to-school shopping can be found online. At Osmo, education games are 25% off when you purchase a bundle of educational items, while Shutterfly has 50% off calendars. You can also take advantage of smokeless fire pit sales by shopping at Solo Stove, where you can get a smokeless fire pit for 35% off and free shipping.
You can also find back-to-school sales at top retailers such as Macy’s. The brand is offering up to 25% off in their newsletter, as well as in their back-to-school sales. Other great retailers include Target, known for its updated styles.
Another great place to find back-to-school shopping discounts is Groupon. This popular site offers coupons for various items – from school supplies to photo shoots and personalized stationery. You can even find deals on road trip snacks. Grosche has a coupon for 25% off its Lil Chill water bottles and a gift when you spend $50 or more. Plus, you can get your bottles etched for free.
Back-to-school shopping is a great time to get credit card rewards, including those that will help you to save money on school supplies. You can also earn points and redeem them for cash, merchandise, and gift cards. Another great way to save money on school supplies is to check out used items at consignment stores and social media groups.
Early sales
Consider shopping early for back-to-school sales if you want to save money on school supplies. Retailers typically start creating back-to-school sections as early as the Fourth of July and offer incentives to jump-start their sales. When finding the best deals on back-to-school supplies, it is essential to watch weekly ads for the best prices. You may also want to wait for special sales on specific items.
Back-to-school sales and deals expire by the end of August, so it is important to shop early. Look for sales online and in stores. Older children may even want to buy their favorite brands online. However, take your time, or you’ll find yourself in a long line and paying the total price.
Using cash-back apps is another great way to save. These apps offer instant cash back when you buy certain products. Check them out in weekly ad mailers and online. Retail experts say that cash-back apps are one of the best ways to save money while you shop. You can even score some great deals.
While school supplies are expensive, you should always check for sales online or in specialty stores. These places will often have lower prices than larger chains. Make sure you keep the quality high when buying school supplies. Safety-related items like pencils and erasers can be costly.
Another great way to save money on back-to-school shopping is to shop for items that will be used often throughout the year. You can also stock up on school supplies that need to be replaced midway through the school year. In addition, if you find an item you need at a lower price, consider saving it until winter break. Alternatively, donate it to a teacher or a school.
Comparing prices
The Back to School season is one of the most significant retail events of the year. According to RetailMeNot, back-to-school shoppers will spend more than $27 billion this year, an increase of $9 from last year. Two major discount events have already passed – Memorial Day and Amazon Prime Day – but the action is just getting started. Remember to compare prices if you’re looking to save money on back-to-school purchases. You can find some of the biggest blowouts on school supplies right now, especially if you shop at the right time.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of back-to-school essentials has gone up eight to 18 percent. Although you can’t control inflation, you can control the stores you shop at and how much you pay. Compare prices online if you want great prices on essential items like books and supplies. A shopping list is a great way to start the comparison process.
Buying online
When purchasing back-to-school supplies, buying online is a great option. Nearly half of all consumers plan to shop online this year. However, there are a few essential things to remember when shopping online. First, remember that the Internet has a higher price tag than traditional retail stores.
Back-to-school shopping is a multibillion-dollar business; retailers want a piece of this market. Many online and brick-and-mortar retailers are showcasing their products to attract consumers—many shoppers research products online before visiting the physical store to compare prices and options. According to Deloitte, consumers now use their devices to access websites and collect coupons and discounts.
Another significant trend is the increasing use of buy online pick up in-store services. According to a Deloitte survey, more than half of parents plan to use the online option this year. In addition, parents are increasingly looking for ways to reduce the cost of their back-to-school purchases. Using coupons and rewards programs are two popular ways to reduce the cost of back-to-school supplies. And one-in-ten parents buy second-hand stores instead of paying the total price.
Back-to-school shoppers plan to spend less than they did last year. According to the survey, protective gear is in high demand. In particular, 74% of back-to-school shoppers plan to buy face masks and hand sanitizer. Although only a fraction of respondents plan to shop entirely online, over half of the shoppers will compare prices at multiple stores.
Avoiding sales tax
If you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies this summer, you should pay close attention to sales tax holidays. These are periods of low sales tax, but they’re usually limited to specific products and can be worth missing if the prices could be better. Luckily, there are a few ways to avoid paying sales tax on back-to-school supplies. One of the easiest ways is to buy some essential items during a sales tax holiday, such as notebooks, pencils, and markers, as they won’t incur sales tax.
Several states offer tax-free days each year, so it’s worth checking if you can buy items in those states. Some states also have tax-free weekends. In Maryland, for instance, you can save a lot of money by shopping. And, as long as you buy items below $100, you’ll be able to get them for less than they would have cost otherwise.
Lastly, shopping during a sales tax holiday can save even more money. The state sales tax holiday for August is effective for purchases of clothing, footwear, school supplies, and backpacks that cost less than $100. Many retailers offer this special sale. Make sure you shop at these locations during these dates, as the tax holiday only applies to some purchases.
Another great way to save money on back-to-school supplies is to avoid taxes on technology items. Computers, laptops, tablets, and headphones will all be free from sales tax, while digital cameras and game controllers will be subject to sales tax. And clothing items that don’t have sales tax include dresses, pants, and blouses. Similarly, non-flotation fishing vests and hunting vests are also tax-free. However, wigs and costumes will be taxable.
