Creatively Frugal School and Home Office Supplies

Pens, paper, pencils and poster board -- how do you save on supplies? 

"School supply shopping is great fun for the frugal. Bargains abound. Before I spend any money on school or office supplies, I take inventory of what the children brought home from last year. Often we can salvage a binder, ruler or pencil box. We always take advantage of ‘freebies’ throughout the year and tuck them into a school supply stash. Many businesses give away pens, pencils and other school supply goodies. A three-ring binder tossed by a business or one from a conference can be ‘disguised’ if necessary with stickers or contact paper. In late summer, stores offer incredible sales, rebates and coupons on school and office supplies. A savvy shopper can supply most students for the whole year for just a few dollars. Prices on markers, crayons and other items are rock bottom (even free) and I always buy lots of extras. First I want to have extra rulers, scissors, etc in case my children break or lose them. I don't want to replace these items at (gulp) full price. My kids like to replace worn and broken crayons with a new box of crayons/colored pencils at the mid-year break. In addition, the bargain crayons, markers, gel pens, etc., can be used for stocking stuffers, birthday party favors and gifts. A new box of crayons and a dollar-store coloring book can be a great treat for a sick friend. If you end up with extras, charities are always looking for these items." ~ Teresa

"I am a single woman. I teach third grade. I love
stationary stores and the school supplies section in
department stores. Since I have no children to buy
supplies for, I put my bargain hunting skills to work
in August when all of the stores have school supplies
on sale. I watch for coupons and sales. This year I
bought notebook paper, packs of pencils, spiral
notebooks, crayons, packs of pens and other things for
$.25 or less by watching the sales. I take a large box with me to my classroom and also prepare a box for a local family that finds the school supply list a financial difficulty. I also donate some supplies to the local foodbank." ~ Pam

"To save on school supplies, I stock up in the fall when everything is on sale. When I find a really good price I stock up and buy enough for the year. This includes buying multi-packs of report covers, duotangs, bristol board, etc, for projects that come up during the year. This prevents expensive late-night trips to the store the night before the project is due. I also closely follow the supply list provided by the school. This stops me from buying expensive extras that aren't needed." ~ Carrie

"1. Set aside $1 a week for each child beginning the week after they are out of school for the summer. Depending on the length of time they are out of school, you should have between $12 and $17 for each child to use towards school supplies. Even though total school supplies could cost $30 (backpack, notebooks, paper, stick glue, scissors, etc.), you could have half the $$ you need already saved.

2, ALWAYS shop the back-to-school standard supplies (paper, pencils, erasers, pencil box, etc.) the week before school starts for your children. Discount merchandisers are vying for your money at that time, and specials (advertised or not) will help your budget. One exception to this rule is the backpack ~ if you need to purchase one, let the child choose a reasonable one in early August or as soon as displayed. Saves lots and lots of fussing or whining later on. Also, buy enough notebook paper to last your children the entire year as it doesn't stay on sale the whole year! Put the extra in your school supply box.

3. Speaking of backpacks, watch garage sales right after the end of the previous school year. You just might find one that is in good shape and at a cost that won't make you gag. Also watch for age appropriate scissors or pencil boxes at garage sales.

4. Watch coupons for a ‘buy so many and get one free’ offer (preferably when the store also has them on sale). When you get that extra box of tissues, put it in a storage place and don't allow anyone to use it until it goes into the school supply box.

5. School supply box: Find a large plastic bin with lid or corrugated box with flaps, mark it School Supplies, and you can add to this box whenever you find items on sale. Keeps it all together and organized until you are ready to assemble for the first day of class. After the start of school, hide this box with extra notebook paper, etc., for when your kids tell you they are out.

6. Something to make you feel better about the money you are spending: I don't know of a public elementary school that wouldn't LOVE to have you donate some of the very items you are assembling for your children. There are always children whose parents can not afford to buy backpacks, extra crayons or markers, extra Kleenex boxes, etc. If possible, buy a few extra items and donate to your local school. Even a couple of items will make you feel fantastic!" ~ Sandie

Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share his or her ideas!

"Watch the department store loss leaders (spiral bound notebooks for .13, etc.). They usually have great deals just to get you in the store to look at all the other ‘stuff’. Don't buy in office supply stores unless you want to pay a huge difference. Recently my daughter purchased some two pocket portfolios at an office store
for about .50 each (the most inexpensive ones they had) and saw them at a department store (reg. price) for .17. Remember that items like colored glittered glues are not necessary. Spend wisely and use the extra money to treat your children to one more unusual school supply. Otherwise, stick to the basics."

"So many parents get sucked up into buying many school supplies before school starts. Since our child comes home with a list of supplies after the first day back to school, we have found that the things we had already bought either were not needed or weren't quite the right thing. So before school starts, we only buy pencils, pens and paper. I save store circulars in the meantime and shop as soon as my daughter gets home with list in hand. This saves money and frustration during what can be a very expensive time. Also, if my daughter thinks she needs some unneccesary items, for example a set of gel pens, she knows in advance that she gets an allowance and those things come out of her pocket." ~ Barb

"I always buy supplies at the beginning of school when they are on sale. I stock up so later when my children come home needing something for school, I go to my supply closet and get it for them knowing I got it at a bargain price and not full price. When another school year begins, there is not much I have to buy for them, but I stock-up for the future and hardly ever pay full price for supplies!" ~ Michele

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