How To Save On Back-To-School Shopping

For many students, school has just ended, so back-to-school shopping may seem like something you don’t have to worry about right away. But this year, retailers and shoppers alike are getting a head start on picking up all the supplies needed for the school year ahead.  The National Retail Federation reported that 25 percent of shoppers have already begun buying. This could be partly because of expectations of higher costs across the board; 80 percent of shoppers are planning for things to be more expensive, especially when it comes to clothing and shoes, school supplies, tech, and furniture.

Starting early has plenty of advantages. This gives shoppers time to compare prices and look for deals and coupons. Plus, with Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week, and a big Walmart sales event all in July, back-to-school shoppers can capitalize on opportunities to get bigger discounts than might be available closer to the start of fall classes. And this year, the NRF found that 68 percent of shoppers are planning to shop around these events, up from 64 percent last year.

But no matter where or when you shop and what you need for school, there are plenty of ways to cut costs and stay under budget. Follow these steps to make sure you get everything on your list.

Smart Shopping Strategies

1. Take your time shopping.  By starting to look for everything on your back-to-school shopping list now, you can spend more time researching your options and searching for deals and discounts on whatever you need. If something on your list goes on sale between now and the start of school, you can snatch it up then, rather than paying full price because you waited too long and have no other choice.  And don’t feel pressured to get every single item on your child’s supply list before the first day of school. Ask the teachers which items are needed right away, then purchase the remaining supplies later. You’ll still be able to find deals even after school starts.

2. Shop major sales this summer.  There are plenty of opportunities to finds deep discounts on many items on your list. Amazon Prime Day falls on July 11 and 12 this year. Target Circle Week will run July 9 to 15, and Walmart’s Walmart+ Week is reported to be taking place July 11 to 13. Plus, you can typically find sales around July Fourth and Labor Day, as well as back-to-school promotions that may run throughout the summer and early fall.

3. Take advantage of tax holidays.  Of the 45 states that collect sales tax, more than a dozen will have sales tax holidays during the summer, so it’s a good time to stock up. But keep in mind that every state has different restrictions. Some have limits on how much you can purchase tax-free, while others have rules about which items qualify. 

4. Go shopping with a plan.  Set a budget for back-to-school shopping before you go to stores, then figure out how much you can spend for various items on the list. If you have older children, this process can be a valuable personal-finance learning opportunity, too.  “Having a clear list can help you avoid impulse purchases that can push you over your budget,” says Ben Glaser, a former editor at DealNews. 

Do a quick inventory at home, too, to make sure you’re not stocking up on things like pens and pencils when you already have a decent supply. 

5. Compare prices before you buy.  A few minutes of searching online can help you make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. Consumer Reports lists prices at various retailers for products we test, so you can get a quick snapshot of who’s charging what. And for items we don’t test, such as clothing, there are plenty of online tools, such as Google Shopping, that aggregate prices in one place to save time.

If you’re shopping in a store, many retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, will match competitors’ prices, so you may be able to get a better price without even leaving a store. Every store policy is different, however. For example, Walmart will match the price on only one item per customer per day, and only from a select list of online vendors.  Target matches the price only if you find the item for less elsewhere after purchasing it at Target. It then refunds you the difference, but you have only 14 days after purchase to request a price adjustment. Best Buy will match prices during the return and exchange period, whether another retailer has a better price or the item goes on sale at Best Buy.

6. Spread out your shopping. Most shoppers will look to major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, but these aren’t your only options. Other good places to find school supplies are dollar stores, office supply stores, and wholesale stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club. Wholesale clubs can be especially good for large families or multiple families that shop together and split up bulk supplies. Note that it might not be worth paying a membership fee solely to save on back-to-school shopping. But you can always team up with another family to split the cost of membership—and these stores usually allow you to cancel your membership anytime, so you won’t have to keep it if you don’t want it.

7. Consider buying refurbished electronics.  Rather than splurging on a brand-new computer or phone, look for a certified used model from a reputable seller, such as Amazon, or the manufacturer itself. Especially now, as new laptops are in higher demand, this can be a good way to find a machine that will meet your needs at a lower cost. The same logic can be applied to previous-year models.

8. Keep an eye on sales after you’e done shopping.  If something goes on sale after you buy it, you might be able to get some of your money back. Different retailers have different policies for this, but you typically have about two weeks to request a partial refund. And if that doesn’t work, you can always return and repurchase the item to take advantage of the savings.

(Partially reprinted from consumerreports.org)