The dreaded school supply list can insight fear and panic in even the most seasoned parents. So many supplies to purchase! We are lucky that in our school district they do not require individuals to bring in their own supplies and instead the school provides much of what each student needs to start the year. That is not to say that the school doesn’t need donations though! What happens when those supplies run out? Or when the teacher has met his or her quota for copy paper? Each class usually has a donation request at the beginning of the year, for parents to bring in what the budget does not cover. I always head out when the major retailers are having huge sales and pick up what I can to take the burden off of the teachers.
The most used items I have found, that usually aren’t covered by the school are copy paper, two pocket folders, and notebooks. Just about every classroom uses a two pocket folder for each of the students homework and copy paper is needed by the truckload.
This year I’ve picked up 30 2 pocket folders, 9 spiral notebooks, 16 glue sticks, 12 packs of 24 count crayons, 12 packs of 12 count pencils, and 2 packs of 400 sheet copy paper (along with a 3 hole punch, some markers, and a few pens for myself) all for under $25!! Yes, you read that right.
So, where are the best deals? Here’s a list of who has the best prices on each school supply…
2 Pocket Folders: Walmart, Staples (limit 15), and Target all had them for $0.15 each
Spiral Sing Subject Notebooks: Office Max $0.01 (limit 3 and must spend total of $5), Staples $0.17 (limit 6), Walmart $0.25
Glue Sticks: Office Max $2 for 8 pack of Elmers
Crayons: Walmart Rose Art 24 packs $0.25, Crayola $0.50–Staples Crayola $0.50–Target Brand $0.43
Pencils: Walmart 8-pks $0.47, Target 8-pk $0.50, Staples 12 pks $0.68
Copy Paper: Office Max 400 sheets $3, Walmart 400 sheets $2.50, Staples 400 sheets Buy 1 at $7.79 get 2 free with rebate (rebate is filled out online and then sent to you in the form of a prepaid visa card)
Hope this helps you on your quest to back to school shop on a budget!
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