Back to School Saving Tips

School shopping will be here before you know it! Here are some tips to help you save when back-to-school shopping:

• Check your closet. Take an inventory of what you already have on hand from the prior year, and you’ll be surprised to find what can be reused—or what was never used.

• Clip it. Check out online and Sunday paper coupons. Remember that many big-name retailers will match competitors’ coupons too. 

• Bulk up. Share expenses with other friends and family by buying in bulk.

• Go gently used. Save on electronics by shopping for refurbished models.

• Stay social. Follow retailers on their social media sites for late-breaking notifications of sales and specials. Some companies send their followers special links to coupons and deals. 

• Find bargains. Check out the clearance racks and shop dollar stores for commodity items where quality isn’t critical. Garage sales are also a great source for gently used backpacks and clothing. 

• It pays to wait. Although you might need to buy early and there’s a risk stores will run out of stock, prices on some supplies drop substantially after the August buying rush.