Preparing for the start of the school year is an exciting time for you and your kids, but not always for your budget. Planning and finding deals can have a big impact on how much you spend on back-to-school shopping. Our tips below can help you zero in on the best buys.
Stick to a List
Before you begin shopping, make a list of everything that’s needed for the upcoming school year. Depending on how old your child is, their teacher may have given you a list of items they will need for the year. Note which items you already have and which ones you can reuse from last year- you don’t want to waste money on supplies you don’t need to buy. Then, decide how much you can reasonably expect to spend on each item you’ll need to buy, and work the amount into your budget. This is a great activity to do with your child to emphasize the importance of sticking to a budget.
Follow Your Favorite Brands
Leading up to the beginning of the school year, most retailers send out coupons and sales ads. Get in on the deals by signing up to be included on your favorite stores’ email lists so you get extra coupons and special offers. Just keep your original list in mind when you find new deals! You don’t want to splurge on items you don’t need just because they’re a good price.
Shop Seasonal Sales
Since summer’s still in the air when the school year begins, your kids won’t be wearing long sleeves or big coats right away. Look for items that can be worn over multiple seasons, such as t-shirts that can be layered with a cardigan, lightweight leggings, or casual sneakers that can be worn with both shorts and jeans. Many of these items can be bought during end-of-summer sales.
If your child attends a school with a uniform requirement, consignment sales and stores are a great place to find lightly used and even new uniform pieces at very deep discounts!
Visit Coupon Sites and Blogs
Before hitting the stores, check out online coupon sites like RetailMeNot® and Groupon® for discounts. These sites offer hundreds of coupons and provide printable or downloadable coupons that you can use. Search for blogs that provide tips on where to find the best deals that week, general ways to save, and how to combine coupons for even more savings.
Buy Online
Shopping online can save you time and money. Retailers often run online-only deals and let you compare prices, read reviews, and find the best value. Look for free shopping offers and store apps that may unlock even more discounts.
If a site requires a subscription to access additional discounts, weigh the options before signing up for that attractive free trial. Depending on the upfront cost for the subscription, how often and how much you purchase from a subscription service, and any monthly fees, you may not end up saving money in the end. However, if the numbers make sense, these types of retailers can offer you convenience and additional savings.
Another way to save money online shopping is to bundle items together to qualify for free shipping. This means shopping with retailers that sell lots of different types of items, or building your cart at specialty retailers until you have enough to qualify for savings on shipping.
Final Tip
Consider using our Classic Card to make your purchases even more budget friendly. With no annual fee and a low APR*, it’s a great way to cover back-to-school expenses – all while helping you build or rebuild credit responsibly.
*APR denotes Annual Percentage Rate. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change. Please see the Visa® Classic, Visa® Alumni Classic, and Secured Visa® Credit Card Account Opening Disclosure and the Visa® Classic, Visa® Alumni Classic, and Secured Visa® Consumer Credit Card Agreement and Disclosure for full terms and conditions. Please see the Visa® Classic, Visa® Alumni Classic, and Secured Visa® Credit Card Account Opening Disclosure and the Visa® Classic, Visa® Alumni Classic, and Secured Visa® Consumer Credit Card Agreement and Disclosure for full terms and conditions.