This giveaway is now closed to entries. Congrats to Laura (luemoo) who was chosen using random.org as the winner! Thank you to all who entered!
Summer break. The warmth. The sun. The anticipation of returning to school.
Well, anticipation for me mostly since our boys start school in less than a month (not that I’m counting or anything). With the return of school comes a new year of learning and shopping for back to school stuff! I’m so excited. Oh, I’m sure they are beyond thrilled (or not)!
I enjoy back to school shopping for my boys. Picking out a few new outfits, supplies and teacher’s wish-list items get me excited for the new year! I suppose it takes me back to when I was a wee youngster and did all of this shopping with my own mom.
As a young girl, I would shop with my mom and pick out the cute outfits, sparkly pencils and flashy 5-Star Binders. We would make it a day of shopping, have lunch and just take our time. I always looked forward to it every year.
Boys are so much different to shop with.
Our boys are so NOT interested in shopping! I generally make most of the purchases before school is even out for summer! Since I do the majority of their back to school shopping without them, it’s easy to get it out of the way. They will come along for a few things, but even that is pushing it with them!
Many of the supplies are the same each year so I watch the sales throughout the year and purchase them when prices are low. I also shop clearance prices all year to get the upcoming sizes for each boy. I love planning this way. We are able to stretch our budget to enjoy other things as a family!
But, is it just me or are boys generally laid back? Our boys have basic requests that I consider while I’m shopping ahead: anything sports, cool shoes and new underwear. But, they don’t flinch when I show them, with glee, the things they wanted (that I got super cheap). I guess I should be glad considering I am saving a ton! Or, maybe having a want such as underwear is nothing to get excited over??
This is all good and well with me. I will always:
:: Scour the back to school supply list.
:: Shop with my coupons to get supply needs on discount or FREE.
:: Research retail stores to get the new clothes and shoes on stellar discount.
They, on the other hand, will:
:: Show up to school with a backpack full of required items.
:: Share some supplies with the teacher (gets them on their good side = SCORE).
:: Present themselves with confidence in a new outfit ready to learn!
As I look at this, I realize something. Playing the role of mother, shopper, chauffeur, team mom, allowance manager, financial whiz, {fill in the blank} is a LOT at times. One day our boys will recognize all of the preparation I have taken to make their back to school time a non-event.
I bet if I forgot those underwear, that school year would never be forgotten!
Lots of us are gearing up for school – an exciting, fun and sometimes, hectic time. Hallmark has put together this great resource to help you calm the butterflies and build your kids’ confidence. Just for joining the conversation you’ll be entered to win $500. You can check it out over here.
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Are you ready to get your shopping completed for Back to School? I have a $100 Visa Gift Card to give away! To enter you have several forms of entry, which are:
Leave me a comment and share what back to school shopping and saving tips you use. You heard most of mine above, but I’d love to get some other ideas as well.
Subscribe to my feed here or daily email update here. Leave a separate comment to inform me that you have subscribed. And, of course, if you already subscribe definitely leave a comment for that too!
Share about this giveaway on the following sites and receive one entry for each. Drop a separate comment for each to let me know where you have shared it!
Twitter
Facebook
Personal Blog
Message Board or Online Community (one entry for each place you post it)
Good luck! I will be closing this giveaway on Friday @ 8p. I will choose the winners at random and contact each directly.
* If you are reading via email or a feed, please visit Mommy Snacks.net directly to leave your comments to be entered in the giveaway!
Hallmark is the sponsor of this post and giveaway. The views and thoughts are all ME!
{ 475 comments }
Boys are oh so much different than girls when it comes to shopping excitement. My son has always preferred to let me pick it out – having to go with me and trying things on is PAINFUL! My daughter is completely opposite. As for my tip – it would be to stock up according to your child’s needs. I know that sounds basic and it is but my son seems to go through pencils like candy so when the mechanical pencils are on sale I make sure I have enough to last the entire year. Buying them at full price mid way through the school year is not something I want to do ever again.
It’s official, I’m an email subscriber!
I don’t have any kids in school yet but I have been stocking up for my neices & nephews. I’ve been watching the sale ads each week for the lowest price for each item. I’ve been going out to get just a couple things each week (and bringing my hubby along for those items that have limits!) So far I’ve gotten the penny pencils and paper from Staples. The 19cent crayons and glue sticks at Meijer (when they were buy 2 get 1 free!) and the 5cent notebooks!
The crayons and markers also make GREAT stocking stuffers and partial birthday gifts for the little ones!
Also a subscriber!
Shared on Facebook! :)
My oldest daughter will be in 1st grade this year so a lot of her supplies are things like Ziploc bags, paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc. that everyone brings in to share as a class. I actually like this better than typical “school supplies” because I can watch for sales on these items and possibly stack coupons (store Q plus mfr Q). In fact, I’m going out to Target today to do just that!!
Oh, and it’s not just boys who don’t like shopping. I was SO excited when my daughter was starting kindergarten last year and wanted to start a tradition much like you and your mom had — shopping for new clothes, having lunch, just the two of us. Well, my stubborn girl had other ideas. She wanted NO part in any of that! I ended up doing the shopping on my own! Oh well, there’s always my 3 year old daughter…..
Amanda
amandaj@cinci.rr.com
My kiddos are homeschool so clothes shopping is mostly garage sales! They are great around here and they wear almost all nice looking name brand clothes for almost nothing!!!
I also shop CVS and get the cheap supplies at Walmart and Meijer!
thanks for the giveaway!
I subscribe!
twittered!
http://twitter.com/dailyessentials/status/2868895464
My daughter is in preschool and her school supplies list is ridiculously long!
I don’t have to back to school shop yet, but I have to winter clothes shop! I have two little ones and the best advice I can give for clothes is buy clearance sales in advance. I’ve done pretty well getting Once Upon a Child and Old Navy clearance and then storing it. I spend $30-40 on a winter wardrobe!
I subscribe!!
Twittered – http://twitter.com/boysaremessy/status/2869030037
I have five children so buying school supplies gets expensive. I would love to win this giftcard. Thank you for your generosity.
I scour ads also and use programs like CVS Extrabucks to stock up for free – simply trading ECBs for items that give them back. I love back to school shopping!
Already subscribed!
High school, junior high, grade school and pre-K. It seems that my kids cover the whole spectrum this year.
I get the list before school is out as well. I watch the sale ads and coupons for the paper towels, storage bags, baby wipes, etc, I really scored this year because Target had thier limited time bulk which was a good deal. I waited and they clearanced it out and I had coupons. I got a 4pk of Kleenex for a little over a dollar. I also watch CVS ads and use coupons and ECB to get awesome deals. I think the best time to buy school supplies is mid to late July. You can get supplies dirt cheap at Walmart, Target and Walgreens. Happy shopping!!
I stock up on sales throughout the year to save on school supplies. I try to hit alot of garage sales for clothes, but as my children get older that is becoming a harder task!
I subscribe also!
You wouldn’t believe the deals you can get at St. Vincent DePaul or Goodwill. I find name brand clothes for my 5 children like The Chilren’s Place, Gymboree, Old Navy, Gap, Levi’s for .99cents or less!
Thank you so much for giving away a gift card to someone. That is extremely generous!!!
Thank you, Andrea! My oldest will start kindergarten next year and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the “preview” you just gave me of what to expect. Given their personalities, I think my boys will be much like yours. :)
And given that, I’ve actually started hitting the back to school sales this year. I discovered that the local elementary school doesn’t give out supply lists until the first day of school. How is anyone supposed to save money shopping on the first day of school after it gets out??? My plan is to get for free or very cheap everything that might be on the list – that way, each year, I’ll be able to “shop” from it when my boys bring the list home.
Thank you for the giveaway!
I subscribe to your feed in Google Reader :)
And I tweeted about the giveaway: http://twitter.com/CFOblog/status/2869568847
Thanks again!
I am now a subscriber!
Our school district publishes the list for all elementary grades each year, and much of the list remains the same. So, when the school supplies super sales start each July/August, I stock up on the really cheaply priced items. That way, I have more on hand throughout the year and don’t have to pay full price to replace them and also have them on hand for the next school year if they’re not all used from the previous year.
I don’t have kids yet but I do buy the school supplies for my cousins 3 girls and have since they started school which I didn’t have any idea when I started how much supplies they need. I don’t remember ever needing that much stuff. I have learned over the years to buy buy buy when it’s on sale becuase the cost of things like notebook paper once the school year starts is expensive.
I’m an email subscriber.
I hang on to the back to school list for several weeks, snatching up the supplies as they go on sale. I also have a “stash” of supplies from last fall that I got on clearance. Still brand new this year… for pennies!
You’re in my google reader.
I tweeted!
I’ve been shopping at CVS and Walgreens for inexpensive (or free) school supplies, and this weekend, I combined the $10 Kellogg’s rebate with the Meijer promotions for backpacks (Spend $10 on Kellogg’s and get $10 off backpack, plus Buy 1 backpack, get 1 for $1) to get 2 inexpensive backpacks.
I’m also a subscriber via Google Reader.
Great giveaway. My tip would be to shop end of season sales so that you can get deals on clothes. Store them until the appropriate season and you have new clothes for a fraction of the original cost. Stock up a full year’s school supplies while they have the sales.
I am already an email subscriber.
I’m a subscriber!!
Amanda
amandaj@cinci.rr.com
My biggest tips are to wait until Wal-Mart has their back-to-school sale!! I went last week and got everything I needed for my 2 kids and only spent $20 (for 2 full bags!) :)
Also, the “no-tax” day is a great day to pick up things you may need as well! It really adds up!
I subscribe! :)
For BTS shopping, I keep a sharp eye out on sales. I also use coupons. Sometimes there’s a large value coupon like the $5 off $25 purchase available now for Rite Aid. Sometimes you can also get a refund offer on BTS items. Good luck and happy shopping. Thanks for the Visa Card giveaway – my fingers are crossed!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I am an e-mail subscriber – thanks!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I’ve been getting the freebies from CVS the last few weeks-some of which I donated. I’ve been watching the Walmart and Target ad and go and only get what is on the school list that is dirt cheap. We have to have 12 gluesticks for kindergarten and they were .25 for 2 at Walmart this week.
I consign with a childrens consignment shop near my home and use the money/store credit I make consigning to get new clothes.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I hit Old Navy’s 50% off clearance sale and buy my kids back to school clothes almost a year ahead of time. I fill in the missing items by hititng sales throught the year. It helps me to keep a good list of what I already have and what I need that way they don’t end up with three winter coats and no gym shoes!
I subscribe to your emails!
I tried to break the shopping trips up – never try to do an all day marathon – especially with a boy.
Leave the students at home, whenever possible.
Never go on an empty stomach.
Watch for sales at Old Navy – I’ve gotten fantastic deals there!
Keep a small notebook, with sizes, measurements, color preferences etc., with you for reference.
Make a master list from all the individual school supply lists. Once we had more than 2 or 3 in school (we have 10) taking all the individual lists was a major pain. Once I comprise a master list, shopping became so much easier!
Thanks for the giveaway.
As you do, I scour the ads and try to find things at the best price possible (like Target’s tennis shoes on sale this week or free/close to free school supplies). My oldest daughter is in college now and is finding good deals to decorate/organize her dorm room at Wal-Mart on line.
I subscribe via my email – thanks
I’m a teacher, so I’m always looking for good deals on back to school clothes! The GAP outlet is great, especially during their seasonal sales!
I subscribe via RSS
My daughter is in uniforms which is great for the day to day. I try to buy most of her basic school clothes when uniforms go on clearance at the end of the season. The fun part is buying the school supplies, we also stock up on many of the under $1 items to donate.
With 7 kids to get supplies for school; I load up on the deals through out the year. My kids love new supplies and I love being able to stretch our budget! I love getting your tips both via email and on Facebook. Thanks for all you do!!
I just buy the loss leaders ($0.10 crayons, etc) and get rain checks if possible – then hound the stores until they come in. I’m lucky – I have a son who like yours couldn’t care less, and a daughter who is too young to know she should be picky yet :)
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THANKS!!!
Hit the clearnace racks and buy your winter clothes/boots/gloves (for those of us who in live in COLD states) a year ahead. I never pay full price for gloves, esp. when kids (and me!!) lose them all the time
I school shop for my grandkids even though I don’t have to. But I was getting such good deals of the stuff last week I couldn’t help it. (my kids were grateful). I have been stocking up on Lysol wipes cuz my grandson needed them last year. But they changed school districts and might not need them – oh well, more for me :-)
I tweeted!!!
I am a subscriber to you daily e-mail.
I scour the ads for free (or virtually free) supplies!
Go to Gabriel Brothers for the clothes. They have brand name for alot less $$$
I’m also a subscriber!
Just tweeted about this contest
http://twitter.com/usefultool
Signed up for your RSS feed!
I always took one child at a time shopping, and made it special by stopping for lunch, just the two of us, when the shopping was done. It became a ritual we all enjoyed.
email subscriber
Tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/2870315818
Already a subscriber!
Blogged http://ceeceeblogger.blogspot.com/2009/07/back-to-school-giveaway.html
I just recently started reading your site and Tara’s site and boy have I learned alot! I used to be broke going school shopping but this year, after learning all that I have learned, I’m under budget and I’m almost done with what the kids need for school! For example Staples has that sale 2 weeks ago and I went and got a TON of stuff for $60. Yes, that’s a good amount of money for those of us on a budget but I got TONS of stuff free and discounted. I’m ready to go back again since they keep having great sales, and I have two $5 off coupons! plus I recycle ink cartridges there and participate in their savings club thing so Woot! for saving money!
I posted your giveaway on my Facebook page. Carol P Dziuba
I’m not sure if you belong or not, but I shared this on the Tip Junkie Ning located here: http://tipjunkie.ning.com/group/contestjunkie
Just subscribed. I sell my used children’s clothing on eBay and at local consignment sales (held in the Spring and Fall). I buy new or gently used clothing for my children at these sales. You can get some great deals!
I love back to school shopping! As a teacher, I always look for the best deals in the ads to stock up on! I like to get extra supplies for my students who cannot afford what they need. I also volunteer at Crayons to Computers, Cincinnati’s teacher free store. They collect donations to help area teachers get the supplies the children or schools cannot afford! So thankful for that organization!!
I try to pick up all the supplies on sale, like most people. As for the clothes, I watch and buy throughout the year when things are on clearance or great sales. That way it’s not so overwhelming every fall.
I am a subscriber.
I stock up on the suplies when they go on sale
I buy lots of extra school supplies when they go on clearance after school starts. Some I save because I know they’ll be needed, the rest I donate to a local shelter for women and children that is always in need of supplies for their inflow of children!
I have lots of stuff yet from last year’s back to school deals (lots of low, low cost items from Staples like glue, pencils, pens, etc). I will have specific items to buy once the kids get their lists from each teacher. I will also be looking for good deals on backpacks. I always look through the ads for the best prices, shop CVS using my extra care bucks to score some “freebies”, and load up on the back to school weekly specials that are offerred as a way to get customers into the stores.
I am a subscriber
My tip for back to school shopping: It is NEVER too early to start. My kids are not in “real” school yet and every year I have been buying the free and clearance school supplies. I know when they begin elementary school I will have all the pencils, papers, rulers, etc they need and I will have paid nothing or very little for it all.
My best tip is to only buy one new outfit for the first day of school and wait for all the local consignment sales to get the rest of the clothes you need.
http://www.thespottosave.com/2009/07/tackle-it-save-on-kids-clothing-at.html
I watch for all the sales! Honestly, I now that my oldest two are in high school it isn’t nearly as bad as it was in Elementary! Praise God!
nmgills at yahoo dot com
I have subscribed to your daily email! Can’t wait – love it!
Twittered!!! boilermkrchck02Go http://tiny.cc/DI9Rd for mommysnacks $100 giveaway!!!
I think the best advice I can give is not to shop in one place – usually, one store won’t have the best prices on everything! Show some patience (which I didn’t show this year, LOL!)
I am a subscriber in Google Reader.
I watch for sales and buy only what I need. I also buy boxes and boxes of crayons, markers, colored pencils, pencils for gifts/donations when they are marked to 0.10 the week before school! I use coupons, I am going to get the bic deal at Staples price matched at Target.
I shared a tweet:
Chance to win $100 prepaid Visa! check it out http://bit.ly/fLy2o @mommysnacks
I tweeted about it on Twitter as candyapple67
I subscribe to your feed.
nmgills at yahoo dot com
I subscribe to your email.
nmgills at yahoo dot com
I tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/juliana_designs/status/2870733619
I tweeted mgills
nmgills at yahoo dot com
I have two girls so I love back to school shopping!….Oh let’s face it I love any shopping! My oldest started Kindergarten last fall and will be in first (already!) grade this year. I try to shop year round as well, hitting sales and buying up in size for the next year. Esp. at the pricer stores! This would be a great help since my hubby is laid off! Thanks for the great info you post and the give aways!
I am a subscriber. Thanks!
I posted to my wall and friends on facebook
http://networkedblogs.com/p7980111?a=share&ref=nf
Since my daughter is in private school her back to school list in super tiny. Two boxes of markers to be exact. I would like to say that is saving me money, but I would just be fooling myself. I hit up all the free drugstore deals and donate some of it.
Tweeted it!!
When it comes to buying school supplies, I watch the weekly CVS, Staples and Walgreens circulars. Most of the items I pick up at no cost (after rebates and register rewards). I pick up extra to replenish supplies throughout the year.
As for buying school clothes, I use to rush out in August and buy all new back to school clothes for my daughters. Eventually I realized when they go back to school it is still extremely hot and they prefer to wear their summer clothes. I now wait to buy their fall/winter clothes until mid September when the clothes are on sale.
I subscribe via email
For some reason, back to school shopping is not fun so I do put if off until the last minute. I think it does have something to do with boys. They want everything in boring colors, nothing to stand out but the most expensive pens…of which they won’t have any of them after a month or so. I usually glance at the sale papers and find one place that has everything!!!
i usually wait for tax free weekend to go school shopping, and always check sale ads.
I always shop those “free” items at Walgreens and CVS. They usually have alot of the items we need for school supplies and they are free with rebates or register rewards!
I also subscribed to your daily feed email!
I do all my BTS shopping at Meijer. SInce I moved to the Midwest from the AZ two years ago- I have fallen in love with Meijer. Thanks for posting the Meijer ad with coupons each week- I look forward to reading it.
Last one, I shared this link on my facebook.
I am also an RSS subscriber as of last week!
And I tweeted it!
Coupons and sales. It’s hard any other way (unless I had a $100 gift card of course :-))
I’m a subscriber.
I just subscribed via email!
We have a boy (almost 11) and a girl (age 7). If you’ve ever tried taking kids of different genders shopping for the same thing at the same time, you know it is a major headache. So my husband takes two days off, about a week before school starts. Then we plan two separate days. First day, I pair up with our son, take him shopping for back to school clothes and supplies. I also buy most of my daughter’s supplies since I’m there anyway. Occasionally, there’s something she’ll want to pick out herself, like when she needs a new backpack, so I’ll wait on that. While I’m with our son, my husband and daughter have a special day together. They might go to a movie, play at the park, whatever. The next day, we switch. No dragging kids to two different dressing rooms while the other one has to wait impatiently. No jealous outbursts. “When is it gonna be MY turn?!” No meltdown in the middle of the mall. Yes, it costs a tad more in gas. However, that is money well spent. Everyone enjoys their special, one-on-one time, and the shopping gets done relatively hassle-free.
subscribing by email
Although my kids are only preschool age. I buy tons of supplies for crafts. I also try to stock up for party favors (crayons and markers with a coloring book of party theme)
I’m a subsciber.
I have two girls and I must say they love to shop for clothes for themselves, so this is a plus. My rules are always start with:
1) Good mood
2) start a clearance racks
I am a subscriber.
I don’t have any tips to share because this is our first time back to school shopping – Start of kindergarten, how exciting!!!
I take advantage of every weekly sale! I don’t buy everything in just one trip! :)
Always check for coupons
Email subscriber
tweet
http://twitter.com/bridget3420/status/2871387204
Shared on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1084897775&share_id=107484721908&comments=1&ref=nf#s107484721908
Blogged about giveaway
http://freebies4meandu.blogspot.com/2009/07/727-giveaway-list.html
I homeschool, so I don’t go through as much stuff as others do. I love to shop when school supplies are on sale and my kids have no problem sharing what we get. They think it is a treat to get/have school supplies, which I think is neat.
I am a subscriber.
This year with money being tight we hit a lot of garage sales and thrift stores for clothes. We were lucky to find some really nice outfits that have only been worn a couple times and a few new ones. Then I requested checks from all my survey sites to buy clothes on clearance and we always shop the Walgreen’s back to school sale They always have the best prices. Thank you!
Mainly just watching the ads and buying up to the limit of the free things at CVS and WAGs
I’m a subscriber.
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/kewpiedoll04/status/2871427163
I always buy stuff throughout the year so that when back-to-school time comes, I really don’t have much to buy. I also buy a little more than what I need at the time, like notebooks, paper, and writing utensils. So those things usually last me a couple of years.
I have subscribed to your RSS feed.
I have subscribed to your email update.
Posted on my FB page. =)
I try to but things on sale…. I also try to buy things “off season ” to help with costs as well.
email subscriber
zippieee@msn.com
I’ve shared on twitter. twitter.com/npbradshaw
tweet
http://twitter.com/zebastyandylan/statuses/2871697231
zippieee@msn.com
I am a subscriber! :)
I make sure I grab their stuff when they come home at the end of the school year, so we can use it again instead of it getting ‘lost’. :)
Our supply list don’t come out until the last two weeks of August, which is after most of the killer sales!!
So I usually try and get a copy of the list for the following year once school starts. Then I have a whole year to stock up on supplies. The list varies a bit, but then I’m only stuck with buying one or two items during those two weeks.
Last year, I hit the Back to School Clearance and got everything on the list for less than $25. Retail of the list was around $250!
For school clothing, I shop throughout the year and grab clothes on clearance. For school supplies, I find that discount stores such as Big Lots, Family Dollar, etc. are a great place for finding stellar deals.
I’m a subscriber.
My daughter starts kindergarten this year (sniff, tear) Can’t wait to take her school shopping and this will definately help!
I subscribed to your email list :)
I shop throughout the year when prices are low!
I subscribe.
I shop throughout the year to find the best prices.
I twittered! :)
I watch the ads and use coupons! By the time school starts, everything I should need will go on sale. Thanks so much!
tweeted
I think your giveaway is awsome!!! I have 2 boys too so I can relate to your shopping!!!! Thanks for this wonderful chance !!
I posted your contest on my Twitter page, Facebook page, and on one of my blogs. Thanks for the chance to win!
I did so good on school supplies this year. I did visit 3 stores (Walmart, Target and Walgreens), but was able to get my 2nd Graders supplies for just under $10. This amazes me since the kits they were selling at his school cost $40. I also was able to buy all name brand stuff!
Subscriber
brodysmommy2002@hotmail.com
This is my first back-to-school as a frugal shopper, so unfortunately, I don’t have any tips yet. I am carefully following the blogs to try and get the best deals!
I shop the clearance clothes in the spring and put them away, so my kids have new clothes for school for a lot less the cost!
I have 4 kids to shop for when it comes to back to school-two of which are twins in middle school. How I long for the days when I could just buy what they needed and they loved it! School clothes are a big issue for us…we shop the outlet malls and hit as many sale racks as possible. Also, we buy shoes by the pairs when they are on sale. Thanks for all the awesome tips to help us along the way!
I load up on the cheap school supplies to last the entire school year. Teachers always ask for the supplies to be replenished around Christmas break. Also, after school gets started I check out the school supplies clearance items. Always some great deals at Target!
I try to wait for school clothes until after the school year has started so I get them on sale. I also stock up on school supplies that my daughter has gone through quickly in the past. Since I have younger kids at home, I also pick up a couple of extra packs when they are super cheap to get us through the year. Sometimes I catch school supplies on clearance once the year has started, but with three small children it’s hard to go to the store often enough to catch the really good deals.
Back-to-school always makes me think of the line from “You’ve Got Mail”: “I would send you a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils…”
I usually only try to stock up on gel pens for my DH if I can get them cheap. He’s been a grad student for the last 5 years. But this year he’s looking for himself since it will be his first year teaching!
I am an email subscriber and I enjoy your blog!
I usually buy school supplies a month before school starts due to great deals!
I have 3 children to shop for. I have already started on the school supplies, they are basically the same each year. So, most I have gotten for free after ECB at CVS, a few things I got cheap at Walgreens and Walmart. SO, I just have a few things to get. I still need to take them shopping for clothes, so thanks for the chance to win!
I subscribe via google reader.
look for things during the off season when they are on sale!
This is my first year to buy school supplies, etc. My oldest starts kindergarten in 2 weeks. I will be taking advantage of the tax-free weekend coming up.
I’ll be reading everybody else’s tips!
I’m a feed subscriber…
subscriber
I wait to shop during our state’s tax-free holiday, which is usually the 1st or 2nd weekend in August. Stores in the area also offer special discounts in conjunction with no sales tax.
mfalcon13@hotmail.com
Our back to school is a little different since we homeschool, but I am loving all the school supply sales!
This is also my first year of couponing during this time, so truthfully, I’m having a blast!!! (My kids think I’m nuts, but that’s okay!!)
I used to love the back to school sales when I was a kid. It was always fun to get new notebooks and pencils and pens. I loved the new stuff, hated the thought about going back to school. I still love the back to school sales now. I have been stocking up at CVS with the buy it and get the ECB back. That is a nice way for me to get stuff for the church. They need the items and I don’t but I love the shopping!!!!
My kids are 1 & 2.5, but I stock up on school supplies (crayons, markers, paper, etc) to use for Christmas presents for them as well as my nephew. I’m using ECB deals at CVS along with $/$$ coupons to get supplies for free or very cheap!
I like to look for drugstore deals on school supplies. We’ve gotten many items for pennies! :-)
I shop on Tax Free Weekend for the kiddos clothes and also shop the sales-picking up 1 cent pencils and crayons.
I am also a subscriber. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
This is my son’s first year of school and we have been busy working away at the deals out there for supplies. I have priced matched at Target. My mother in law also works there and lets me know what is coming up in the coming week for sales on supplies. She has really helped alot.
I’m an email subscriber.
I make a list of all the supplies the kids could need and then I scour the ads to see what’s on sale. As we buy items, we cross them off the list.
I am a subscriber!! I have yet to venture out for the dreaded back to school shopping this year but my number one tip is DON’T TAKE THE KIDS WITH YOU! This is our first year of school uniforms so that part is a piece of cake. Once the school supply list from our teachcer comes out (probably the day before school…) I will be checking around for great deals!!! Thanks for your site!
I buy clothes at consignment sales or at the end of a season during clearance sales in a size bigger for the next year.
I also buy all the school supplies for the entire year when they are super cheap in July/August.
I subscribe via email
I try to stock up on next year’s clothes sizes by shopping the end-of-season sales the year before.
The CVS ExtraCare program works well for me!
Wow! Talk about a giveaway- this would be great for back to school! Thanks for the chance!
I subscribe to e-mails!
I would love this giveaway. I subscribed to your blog just now!
I stock up whenever I see a deal I can’t pass up! I have been seeing those deals alot lately! This visa card would be awesome – I wonder how far I could stretch the $100 to??
Subscriber
My favorite tip is shopping the end of season sales for next year’s clothes. The trick is guessing what size my son will be! :)
This is my first year scouring for back-to-school sales, and I debated on purchasing the Wrap Packs provided by the school. They provide a box of all the supplies your child needs and has it for them on their first day. Basically it saves the parent the “hassle” of shopping for supplies. But for $53, I passed! All I do is check the Sunday ads, and shop for the best deals. I’m almost done, and I don’t think I’ve spent more than $20.
I subscribe!
I look for sales on school supplies at all the local stores, but I don’t invest a lot of time and gas running around. Over the next few weeks, everything we need will be on sale at the supermarket, the adjacent CVS, or another store we happen to be near. I try to save without stressing!
I watch those sales and stock up on the cheap stuff. I also like to buy new backpacks this time of year with better price and selection. My girls don’t NEED new backpacks yet, but when they do, i won’t be paying full price. I also shop for one back to school outfit, but wait until the prices are better for other clothes. They can’t wear the back to school stuff yet anyway because it’s too hot still.
quapamom at yahoo dot com
I subscribe!
quapamom at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this it would really help out!!
My back to school tips would be :
use ECB’s and RR’s to purchase as much of your back to school paper and pen items buy when they are on sale and when you get more ECB’s and RR’s back for them
use giftcards that you got from search engines and mypoints to use towards clothing
if at all possible try to buy clothing etc. when they are on clearance and try to buy for a year ahead and 2 if possible (this works better for really little kids not teens)
Hello,
I also subscribed to your daily email for another contest entry!
:)
I am lucky that my daughter gets all revved up for the cheapie back-to-school sales! We just went to Staples and they allow her to do her own shopping… so when the limit is 2, she gets 2 and so do I. She checks out on her own and is thrilled with all her goodies. Today she only spent $2.50 for a bag of school stuff… FUN, Fun, Fun!!! (plus she’s learning to be frugal!!!)
I always “buy” the free stuff and take it to our church. They support a local shelter that donates school items to underprivileged kids.
Honestly I am not good at saving…so seeing tips from others helps a ton!
I tweeted this @ SugarandspiceH! Hope I win:)
I get great deals on back to school clothes at the Jeffersonville outlets! Just there this weekend they are having super sales on summer clothes and 40%off new fall clothes. I get stuff for next year and some to start the fall!
I also subscribe to your daily emails!
I usually stocked up during the Back-to-school sale and after the school started (around Sept and early Oct). The clearance price can get lower than the sale price. Since the school’s supply list is pretty much the same every year, I will print it out and search for the bargain for next year’s supplies. I think I saved a lot this way, especially on the backpack and lunch box!!
i tend to buy school supplies after school starts, get them on clearance, and stckpile for the next year. i have 3 kids and by the middle of the year, thay already need replacement supplies, i go to my stockpile, and there is always something they need.
i subscribe withmy google reader!!!
I subscribe by email.
I subscribe to your feed.
I subscribe!!
This would be awesome!
I scour the yard sales for packages of unopened pens, pencils, etc.
It always seems my son needs pens and pencils 2 weeks after school starts. I have no idea what he does with them! So I make sure I got to Sams and purchase them in bulk and I keep my own stash, that way I always have them on hand so I don’t have to go to the store at the last minute and pay those outrageous prices!
Thanks and God Bless!
I buy all the really inexpensive items during the sales whether they are on the kids’ school supply lists or not and put them all in a storage bin. Every year before school starts, we go “shopping” in my bin first, then go to the store to purchase the rest.
On a different subject, Andrea – I’ve been trying to reach you via e-mail and FB, but you haven’t responded. It is regarding speaking at my moms’ group. Can you please see if my messages are being blocked?
My oldest child is in college. By purchasing college textbooks through Chegg.com this month, we saved $166 vs. the university bookstore price on just 3 textbooks. We also received $92 for a textbook that the bookstore wasn’t buying back last year. Chegg.com is user friendly and I received really great customer service from them.
I’m a money-saving subscriber!
Since it is still warm when the kids return to school, hit the summer clothes clearance racks for new school clothes. then in late September and October, when the sales start for winter schools, buy the bulk of their school clothes.
I subscribe!
I get your emails.
Saving on school supplies at CVS, baby!! Whoo Hooo!!
I buy stuff that is on clearance throughout the year that I know the teachers always request. (Ziplock baggies from Kroger anyone!! I bought a ton)
Email subscriber!!
I subscribe to your RSS Feed.
This is my first year dealing with school shopping – I have my first kindergartner! The best thing I’ve done so far is shop for clothes the season before. I got his wardrobe for the whole year at the clearance sales in January and July! (Our school doesn’t have uniforms.)
I shop after school starts and all the school supplies are on clearance!
I’m a subscriber!
I shared your giveaway on Facebook!
I watch clearance through the year, and do some major stockup when things are on sale!
I subscribe through RSS!
I pretty much do what you do… watch for sales and stock up during the year. My kids don’t have a big huge shopping spree at the beginning of the year like some of their friends. They get a few things and then get more during the year as needed. Spreads the cost out a bit more.
Thanks!
Robin
cokelush at gmail
mark-it-with-a-b.blogspot.com
live-whole-food.blogspot.com
I’m a subscriber.
Thanks!
Robin
cokelush at gmail
mark-it-with-a-b.blogspot.com
live-whole-food.blogspot.com
I also watch for sales and freebies from CVS/Walgreens and stock up on items. With regards to clothes I always buy a size larger so that if they have kept their clothes in good working order they can still use them the next year. (We are a uniform school)
I subscribed through e-mail
i all ready subscribed. My son loves to school shop. he is in to the coupon thing and loves to see how much money we can save on thing.
I blogged about this on my blog site.
I do the things you posted, but also, remember to take advantage of layaway. It is coming back again. Shop early and use it. No need to rack up finance charges. You’ll need that extra cash for college!
I’m a subscriber!
I usually try to shop for school supplies anywhere between 2-3 weeks before school begins because that seems to be the best time for bargain sales. And this year we happen to have a few items left over from last year so that really helps. We will reuse his backpack because it is still in practically new condition. That’s a plus.
As for clothes, my son usually does with what he already has. If we need to shop I always make it a point to checkout my Goodwill store first. Can’t beat new to gently used clothes for $1.25 a piece. I just bought him sneakers in the beginning of the summer so he will wear those to school. They have hardly been worn at all since he’s been flip-flopping through the summer. So that is another big plus.
I subscribe to your blog.
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/Mel4Him/status/2877900072
I recycle!! If my daughter has some unused pages on her notebooks, I make a new one with all the leftovers.
I just subscribed to your feed. Great blog!
I save money on back to school shopping by ordering mostly online. I scour the internet for coupon codes to use on the order. I also will go through a cash back rebate website as well when I order for even more savings. Plus, another benefit is no tax on a lot of websites.
My son is almost 5 but because of his late birthday won’t be going to school until next year. So I am using this time to stock up. I’ve been buying crayons, tissues, paper, glue, airborne and stuff like that. I hope by next year I have a nice stock pile for school. Also our local Dollar Store sales all kinds of teacher supplies like reward stickers, posters, name tags to hang on the wall, and those scalloped borders teachers use, so I’m stocking up on those also to give to the teacher.
I am ready for school to start and I am dreading the back to school shopping! My husband is a medical resident, which means zilch, as far as the extra spending money goes! We look to freebies and samples to help pad the back to school backpack fillers! We are luckily that Nana comes to take Nicole school clothes shopping, or else we would be rummaging through the thrift store! But I LOVE the brand new pink pearl erasers, brand spankin’ new packs of markers, crayons, glue, etc! I believe I have instilled that love of new-school-shopping in my daughter, and we BOTH love it! We go everywhere from Big Lots, and Walgreens to Walmart, Target, Kmart, and Rite Aid! But when there’s REALLY a deal (you know 19 cent packs of crayons), we stock up a bit!
I am a subscriber!
I tweeted
And I subscribe via google reader
posted on facebook.
I am already subscribed!
thank you for doing this give-away. It will sure help lucky winner!
Liz T
Hi,
Posted about it on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1106984379&ref=name
Liz
I stock up on all the freebies and really cheap products even if I think I won’t need them. There is always some teacher who comes up with something you didn’t plan for.
I am an email subscriber.
Hi,
I twittered about this as well:-) http://twitter.com/snikwa
Thank you for this give-away!
I have been searching for all the back to school specials and using my coupons. I have stocked up on the really cheap items to use durning the whole year, and to give them away to my nieces.
tinap
tinajanet1@verizon.net
I dont have much experience with back to school shopping since I am only a mother of toddler and infant. However I would say I get all clothes on clearance that saves back to school clothes shopping… because i’m always getting the fall clothes when they are clearanced out in the winter for the following fall etc… I do this for my little ones and I save a ton of money!
It helps to buy clothes a year ahead. You can get the next size up. Just buy it at the end of the season’s when all the clothes are really cheap. This works well most of the time.
I subscribe to you on my feed reader.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/mommydaisy/status/2880126396.
I love to shop sales and get the free items at CVS. even if it’s something my family won’t use, I get it and donate it if it’s truly free. I LOVE back to school sales!
I am subscribed via google reader!
I print out coupons and use the lovely deals you post to shop smart at various stores which have sales.
I’m already a daily email subscriber :]
We homeschool and save alot on books by buying them used. Don’t have to buy back to school clothes and eat lunch at home!
Since my kids have been attending the same private school for past several years. The list seems to stay the same, hence the past couple of years I’ve stocked up on items after back to school is over. My kids use a NOTE BOOK system and need lots of dividers so each pack being around 1.87 and at 8pks, it adds up quickly for 3 kids. After back to school, it’s discounted to about .50! Whoo Hoo. love a great deal! (and on many other items such as folders, book covers…buy year before).
My boys are still young enough to be excited about going back to school. I try and buy extras whenever I find a great price on something. It always seems like midway through the year they run low on crayons or something and it’s always so much more expensive around the middle of the school year.
For back to school shopping I shope when Walgreens, Walmart or CVS are having there deals and as far as clothes go I just buy things off and on throughout the summer as good sales come along.
moehend@yahoo.com
I am a subscriber!
moehend@yahoo.com
I used to hit all the end of summer clothes sales when my kids were in school now I guess it is habit cause I now do it for my grands. After all it is still hot here when they start school.
I am a subscriber
I have 2 good tips..
Wait for Tax free weekend to shop
and
I save up my Discover card bonus points and then cash them in for gift cards to my favorite stores to shop!!!
Thanks for a GREAT Giveaway!!!
Leslie
I’m a subscriber
Leslie
LeslieVeg left a Tweet
http://twitter.com/LeslieVeg/status/2881997784
garage sales, garage sales, garage sales! i had zero interest in garage sales before i had kids. . . now i’m a junkie. so many great gently used items.
I subscribe already and enjoy it.
Thanks!
I really watch the sales and stock up for the whole year..Most stores start a month or so before school starts putting different things on sale each week. semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a subscriber..semtaylor(at)yahoo(dot)com
Go to the dollar store to get basics like pencils and pens. YOu find good deals.
subscriber
Last year we had to purchase a pre packed box of supplies. This year I have been checking the school supply every time I go to the store for sales.
A school shopping tip is to go as early as you can, try and find lots of coupons and deals, don’t put the kids together if they like to fight over items.
blogged
http://bridgethegapx.blogspot.com/2009/07/tons-of-giveaways.html
subscribed via google reader
Where we live, we have year round schooling, so after a big week and a half break at the end of June/beginning of July, my kiddos entered the next grade on July 7. Unfortunately, all the great school supply sales don’t start until after that time. So my big savings plan is to stock up on those things whenever they are on sale through out the year (mostly right now) for next year. Our PTA does these “supply kits” where they buy all your supplies for you and box them up, to the tune of around $60 a kid. Outrageous! So even if I only have half of what we need in my cheap stash at home, I know we are saving big bucks.
I don’t have kids in school anymore but now I am shopping for supplies for a teacher I know. I go to all of the back to school sales and by things that are needed but at a really great price.
I need uniform pants, shorts and shirts that I usually buy in the off season on clearance for the next year! Also hitting all the great sales this time of year means I stock up!! You can’t beat .05 notebooks, .19 glue and .27 crayons!! Thanks for the giveaway!
I subscribe!
To prepare for school, I wait for the tax-free weekend to purchase the large items such as clothes. I also am a huge coupon/ad watcher so that helps, too.
I’m a subscriber!
I only shop clearance sales for back to school clothes shopping. If it’s not on clearance we don’t buy it.
Posted on facebook!
I shop year round for the sales/clearances and always get namebrands and high quality selections for really good deals.
subscriber!
luemoo@hotmail.com
posted on facebook.
My advice would be to stock up on clothes and supplies WHENEVER you come across a great deal. That way, it’s not one overwhelming set of purchases all at once.
I’m a subscriber!
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/ms0812/status/2888522188
Kids are grown but I need supplies now that I’m an adjunct professor with Kaplan! Need to get organized!!!
Leslie Mayorga shared this on her Facebook Profile
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/leslieveg?ref=profile
Leslie
Had to finish this this morning.. your site would not load last night..
Thanks for a GREAT Giveaway
My oldest will be starting preschool in 6 weeks – so I have no back to school shopping experience – I’ll read from the others!
And I subscribe of course!
Lots of planning is the only way to do it. A really detailed list of what we need, I start as early as I can, and I watch the sales.
We wait to buy Fall clothes, unless back to school sales really have what they want at good prices. By the time it gets cold, the kids have changed their mind about what Fall stuff they want anyway, and we can hit the next round of sales.
I’m an RSS subsrciber – thanks!
Blogged!
http://winthis.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/100-visa-gift-card/
My best advice after doing school supplies for 3 kids for 8 years is to save last years… go through it before purchasing new ones. you can save money by using the dry erase markers and colored pencils, folders that weren’t used, etc. from last year. also, in early sept. i go buy the school supplies when they are really cheap for the following year, like glue sticks, pencils, crayons. I always know I will need those! Same with papertowels, and wet wipes… get those when they are cheap throughout the year and save them for school supplies.
I use coupons to get school supplies really cheap. I also buy clothes off the clearance racks at the end of each season and save them for school clothes the next year. I have 5 boys, so no matter what size I buy, it will fit one of them by the time school rolls around!
I am a subscriber :)
This will be our first year buying “back to school” stuff, and it’s pretty minimal for pre-school, but I still watch the sales for great deals on arts and crafts supplies, and donate as much as I can to either my son’s preschool or my extended family.
My boys wear uniforms to school, so I try to buy them off season. Saves lots of money in August.
I subscribe via email
I guess girls are different. I don’t have any boys but do have 3 girls. My oldest is 9 and every year we have a special mom and daughter day to ger her supplies.Our day includes shopping and lunch and sometimes we invite grandma to go with us. Of course I do buy things when they are on clearence or great sales. CVS is great and walmart clearance is always good. We are starting school with five pairs of shorts before we even go shoppong thanks to clearance. We don’t have to do alot this year but we will still go out and enjoy a day together.
subscriber
I don’t really have anything new to contribute :) I shop sales with coupons and stock up on clothes when they are on clearance (Old Navy is great!)
I subscribe
I like to wait to buy them their school clothes til after school starts. I might get them one new shirt before, but really all the back to school clothes are warmer for fall and my kids are wearing shorts and their summer clothes into October. Then I can wait for some end of season sales for fall–and I can stagger it out. With 5 kids school clothes cost a lot of money!
I tweeted @bellabuttercup
http://twitter.com/bellabuttercup/status/2893650338
For back to school clothes savings: I make sure to add myself to the email lists for most popular stores that we like to shop at. They ALWAYS send out printable/able to use online coupons right around back to school time!
I subscribe!
Tweet! http://twitter.com/ktkatherine/status/2893782242
I already subscribe! Love the tips!
This would really come in handy this year!
I shop mostly clearance, thrift stores and garage sales then throw in a few trendy items for good measure. I’ve been getting free or almost free school supplies and needed to pay for only a couple of things:)
I’m a subscriber to your daily email! Thanks!
I twittered this! What a wonderful giveaway!!
http://www.twitter.com/tiny74221
I now subscribe to your feed!
thanks!
I usually buy things at their highest clearance price. I buy bigger sizes for the next year. So, school shopping won’t be a big deal, because there won’t be much to do!
Subscriber!
Price shopping for all the supplies that they need! Catching as much as I can on sale! and learning so much for next year!!
For Clothes I will be hitting there clearance rack with and additional 15% off!
I try to pick up things as they go on sale. I try to hit up CVS every week for their free deals (if there are any more on the shelf).
This is my first year shopping for school supplies for DD who is going to kindergarten. I’ve been really pleased to get such good deals! Thanks for the great giveaway, and I’m a subscriber!
First, I look through all of our supplies to see what we already have. (We replenish our supplies throughout the year, so lots of items are still unused). I start shopping way before school starts and get stuff on sale when I see what they need. I shop at the discount clothing stores like Ross, etc. I have found stuff greatly reduced.
I just subscribed.
Shop this year for next year- It’s only a matter of weeks until Target and the other stores will have their supplies 90% off. Grab what you can for the future, provided you have a place to store it.
I already subscribe.
I hit all of the sales to save money. I also always look for clearance items.
I subscribe.
I begin looking for clearance items when school lets out for the next year. I go through all the ads and look for the best deals, go to the outlet mall and stock up on clearance and use any cupons i come across.
I am a subcsriber!!
I couldn’t agree more with the many comments about how detached boys are from BTS shopping. My older son is getting to the age that he’s semi particular about what he wants, but would much rather just pass on a list of items and have me shop ALONE for them. He’s even started searching for clothing and things online to show me exact pictures of the things he wants!
As a teacher, I use this time of year to score the best deals on items that I’ll need all year. Our favorite days are “teacher appreciation days” at the office supply stores – it usually means a bag full of goodies to try!
I check all the sale papers every weekend to find the best buys! I also try to do price matching where available, and use as many store coupons as possible!
jellibeenz1978@hotmail.com
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jellibeenz1978@hotmail.com
Signed up for daily updates
jellibeenz1978@hotmail.com
Tweeted this-jellibeenz1978
jellibeenz1978@hotmail.com
Subscribe to a blog like Money Saving Mom so you never miss out on a good back to school sale. You can’t hit the sales if you don’t know where they are!
Email subscriber.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Spoodles/statuses/2907543251
Blogged here: http://spoodles.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/back-to-school-giveaway/
I look forward to buying all new pencils, crayons and markers every year. This is the time of year when they are least expensive, so we stock up. My daughter gets excited over choosing her new backpack and lunchbox. We have a no sales tax weekend in August specifically for school supplies. Many retailers also tack on extra discounts at the same time, and manufacturers post lots of coupons, too. You can really get some bargains!
Some supplies have a limited shelf life so I made sure I checked my surplus this year before I went out hitting the sales. Actually had to buy very little which was blessing as we as working thru a job loss and very limited dollars to spend!
I definately like to buy my clothes off season when they are on clearance and save them!
I do mine at all the back to school sales and even if I don’t use it I pass it along to a local charity for their school drive.
I save coupons and look up sales before we go back to school shopping.
I always try to get my kids their school supplies early with the early sales since it seems the prices go up the closer it gets to starting time.
vlrbrice at yahoo dot com
I subscribe
vlrbrice at yahoo dot com
I posted on my facebook at val.brice
vlrbrice at yahoo dot com
My saving tip would be to buy the supplies in bulk and during sales. That way, you’ll always have things handy and it’s way cheaper than buying them one at a time! Thanks!
RSS subscriber.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/bunnyb/status/2912163152
Blogged: http://bunnymoney9.blogspot.com/2009/07/hump-day-goodies.html
Linked on FB: http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=1392245932&share_id=123096574136&comments=1&ref=mf#s123096574136
ID: bunnyb baxter
I love shopping the penny sales at Staples.
I am an email subscriber! Thank you so much for all you do!!!
Cheri
I have subscribed.
I am shopping clearance for my preschoolers clothes!
Now that my kids are high school or older, I don’t buy their supplies until school has started and I find out what they need. They often don’t need much and I save money because I don’t get the unneccesary supplies and most stuff is on clearance anyway when we go shopping. :)
All of the freebies at CVS and walgreens hae REALLY helped with school supplies, and I did the bookbag promotions i learned about on your site last week at Meijer and scored TWO bookbags for under $4! I love your site so much, now I could really use this for school clothes! Thanks so much for all that you do!
Since I come from a big family, there have always been a handful of kids who have leftover school supplies. The families pool these together and we choose what we need from someone else’s leftover supply that would be going to be donated. It’s easy and it saves me money getting a few items I had not yet picked up at the store.
I am a subscriber.
I love shopping at Old Navy when they have their clearance sales and then using a coupon also. They have some great deals.
I am subscribed to your feed!! Thanks!!
Kathleen
My kids are too young for actual back to school shopping. However, I do love to hit the sales during this time of year for their clothes. Old navy always has great deals.
I signed up for your feed too.
I love buying my kids school supplies from CVS/Walgreens. With their ECB and RR deals, I can buy almost everything for free!
Thanks for the great offer!
I am an educator–a middle school librarian. I do not get a supplies budget from my county or my principal so I need to rely on what I make for book fair profit or collect from lost books. I really try and take advantage of office supply stores’ and drug stores’ back to school sales where I can pick stuff up cheap and many times free (with ECBs and Rebates). With today’s economy, I have to do this in order to survive in a school setting. Thanks for the giveaway!
robandleighbright@suddenlink.net
Leigh
I always look throughout the year for great sales on school supplies. Especially at CVS with their ECBs and Walgreens, and Rite Aid Clearance.
Thanks! Yvonda
yvondaphil@homesc.com
I subscribe to your blog.
Yvonda
yvondaphil@homesc.com
Follower!!!!!
I left a link here for this great giveaway.
http://merchantmaidens.blogspot.com/2009/07/winning-wednesdays_29.html
Yvonda
yvondaphil@homesc.com
Wait to shop until the fall actually begins. Thats when all the “back to school” sale items will be put on clearance and you can get the best bang for your buck.
4hatsandfrugal@gmail.com
I try to shop back-to-school sales and combine them with coupons. If something happens to be out of stock, I get a raincheck and purchase the items later.
Thank you for a generous giveaway! :)
I back to school shop gradually over the summer so I can get the best prices without feeling like I’m blowing my monthly budget, plus i love to shop so it works out.
My biggest tip is to do the shopping during tax free weekend! It’s this upcoming weekend in GA (I’m not sure every state does this?) – it really adds when your spending alot!
My school supply tip is to be looking all the time on Craigslist, Freecycle, thrift stores, & yard sales. I have gotten so many things for my daughter – including homeschool curriculum at a yard sale, books from Freecycle, etc. It really helps keep the cost down if you start looking way ahead of when you’ll need the items!
I watch for sales and especially try to snag things at CVS when you can get them free after Extra Bucks. Makes for some cheap school supplies!
I try to recycle all that I can from the year before and limit what I need to buy.
Thanks for offering this contest. Hope we win.
Cha Ching Queen
http://www.chachingqueen.com
I browse the Dollar General and Family Dollar stores about once/week all summer to pick up deals.
Thanks for the giveaway!
-Leslie
carykhepburn@yahoo.com
When it comes to school clothes shopping, buy what you absolutely HAVE to have right now to start school, but wait a few months and you will get some GREAT deals on sale and clearance after the school rush dies down. They will be the same trendy school’s-starting fashions but MUCH cheaper!
I have my girls circle the outfits in the expensive store circulars that they would love to have…. I leave them @ home & go to second hand shops to create there look like the expensive outfits…. Ive been lucky, they don’t know what I’m up to …yet…….
I’m an email subscriber of yours………. thx!!
I try to buy clothes a year in advance. Right now, all the summer clothes are on sale, so I’m buying for my son for next year.
I now subscribe.
I start stocking up in advance. My son wears a uniform, so when I see polo shirts, blue slacks and shorts on sale – I grab them in the next size.
I buy school supplies more than needed to start the year. Never fails mid-year that you need to send in more of this or that.
Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/ABusyMomofTwo/status/2921616694
I subscribe to your feed in my Google reader.
I actually wait until about two weeks before school starts to buy back-to-school clothes. My girls are so likely to have a growth spurt if I buy things too far ahead.
To save money with back to school shopping I use coupons to buy any supplies needed. I shop sales and stock up on things that are a good value and then just save them.
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I tweeted-http://twitter.com/DanielleLo/status/2923009915
I definitely watch for those deals because it is such a valuable thing to do that saves a ton of money and still provides quality items.
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I reuse spiral notebooks, tearing out the used pages.
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My son does not go to school yet but I think when he does, I would carefully browse through store ads and compare prices on the items I need. Then I would make a list of the stores I need to go to and what to buy from that store. This way, it will save me time and money.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Just found your site today! What amazing information you have. While I have always used coupons and usually do OK, my biggest saving tip is never (never ever) take the husband and kids with me when I shop.
I look forward to reading you daily messages and have subscribed! What amazing generosity to be giving away $100 gift cards. That will not only help my family, but will let us bless another family with some things for their children.
Thanks again!
My advice for back to school, pick up some basics now to get them started, but wait a few weeks after school starts for some really great sales. I like The Children’s Place. I used some of my Place Perks certificates to buy a few essentials for my daughter at full price (they wear uniforms), but I know that come the end of September they will be practically giving these away especially if monster sales can be combined with % off coupons, mr rebates, AND more place perks points!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I just subscribed for email updates!
I am a new follower on Google. Thank you! moneymakinmama85@gmail.com
My tip is to: price match! Bring in a bunch of ads and only go to one store to get the really cheap/free supplies
YEAH!! I have poured over this website for months and now am finally a subscriber.
Thank you for all of your hard work!
By the way..anxiously awaiting a good sale on Capri Suns..I can remember close to back to school time..Meijer would have them as cheap as a buck a box??
My son is too young for school, but I purchase about half of his clothes at consignment sales, and half at store clearance sales.
I just subscribed to your RSS feed! THANKS!
I strongly adhere to the fliers in my Sunday paper to hunt out all the good back to school sales!
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I just sent out a tweet about your giveaway!!
http://twitter.com/whimsyfun
First thing is take inventory of what you have. SOmetimes parents go too far with buying too much clothes. My son has to wear a uniform this year so I will inventory all the khaki and blue bottoms, and white tops we have. Shop sales and dont be afraid to bulk buy socks, underwear, etc…
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Starting at the end of July Staples has $0.01 items most weeks. I watch those like a hawk and grab up items I need for my daughter and nephew. They also have good rebates as well!
I love shopping at Staples – they have the best deals – lots of free items and things for a penny. Can’t beat that!!
I subscribed!
I just blogged about your giveaway!
http://dyballclan.blogspot.com/2009/07/lots-of-giveaways.html
I blogged this: http://thriftyfrugalmom.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaway-roundup_30.html
i try to shop around the tax free holiday week and get free deals from CVS each year.
I always try to start the year before & buy whats clearanced out for back to school! Thanks!!
We get our school supply list at the end of each school year so I have plenty of time to shop sales. I also pick up those staples you need every year when I find them on sale and put them away for later use. We also share some of the things on the list with my daughter’s friend; I buy the large pack of pens and split it with my friend and she buys the large pack of glue sticks and gives us half. Most of those items are cheaper when you buy the large package but no one needs 4 gluesticks. It’s more cost effective when one of us buys the pack and we split.
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My daughter doesn’t start school yet for another year but my brother in law had to get a book for school and was about to buy it and instead I ordered him the book for free from paperbackswap.
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blogged about you here
blogged about you here
http://never2late2save.blogspot.com/2009/07/giveaway-madness_30.html
Already subscribed. :)
I sale shop throughout the year for school clothes, etc and use your site to find all the school supply deals. Yay!
I haven’t needed to shop before, but this year Peanut has a small list for preschool. BTW Andrea, you can borrow her to shop for bts. She is soo thrilled to be starting preschool and is begging, like whining begging, to go shopping for sparkly pencils and the like. I’m really not into all of that. I’m more of a get the basics and go type of person….
I shop early for school supplies, then I hit the Target clearance at the end of the school supply season. Great time to get kleenex and paper!
We are starting to homeschool this year (oldest is 5) and it was fun to finally get in on some back to school shopping! However, with 4 little ones and one on the way, I didn’t have time to hit many stores, so I mostly got the Wal-Mart and Walgreens deals! If you can buy extra for those who can’t afford it.
save money by shopping at Staples- they are CHEAP this time of year
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I’m not organized enough to have a system, unfortunately – I do try to get on the email lists for our favorite stores in case of discount coupons, and I shop the school supply sales where they end up cheap or free.
I subscribe by RSS feed~
I’m a big fan of the $1 spot at Target. I also use my CVS ECB to the max on school supplies and pair coupons with sales. I’m a teacher, so, when I get special offers I take the opportunity to stock up for my own child as well – you’d also be surprised at what you might find in the thrift store – I’ve found anything and everything…from cute lunch totes to a new pack of socks for my son!
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I like to shop the outlets! Many times, they offer a coupon book too. If I buy online, I look for coupon codes just by doing searches. Also, for small items I shop at the big discount stores or look for sales at the office supply type stores. I haven’t done any shopping yet this year. Thanks! I could really use this prize….we have our oldest headed to college and money is tight.
I subscribed by email and confirmed. Thanks!
I would LOVE to win your visa giftcard!!!!!!!!!!
Happy School Shopping!!!
I teach and often the supplies run out around Thanksgiving. From then on it’s out of my wallet. So moms….when shopping for the kleenex, buy the boxes that don’t have the latest designs. They’re usually on sale around the beginning of school & the more boring the box the longer they last in my classroom. ;) Some boxes are just so cool looking the kids “need” a kleenex. =~)
I don’t have kids, so I don’t do school shopping exactly, but I use back to school season to stock up on items for Operation Christmas Child boxes. I’ve found scoping out the fliers to be just about the most effective way to get good deals. Don’t pay more for it at store X when you can get it cheaper at store Y! Thanks for the great giveaway!
I’m an email subscriber w/address sfmcoupons at inbox dot com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/couponldyonline/status/2943833453
I blogged:
http://www.couponladyonline.com/2009/07/giveaway-time.html
I buy a lot of my son’s clothes at garage or consignment sales.
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I always go school supply shopping and clothing shopping on Tax Free Holiday to score some sweet deals along with my coupon binder in tow shoot u just can’t go wrong then.
I tweeted here http://twitter.com/lvn777
I facebooked your contest here http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/ShortOnCents?ref=nf
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I buy my girls a back to school outfit, but then we wait until October or so to buy the bulk of their back to school wardrobe. The beginning of the school year is warm anyway, and then by the time we buy things are generally on sale. Works for us!
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I would take advantage of the TaxFree weekend next month to buy school clothes and supplies. Get more bang for your buck.
I just subscribed to yoru e-mail.
I no longer jump at the sales right away for school supplies. I’ve ended up buying things that my kids did not even need for school that year. I always wait for the class letter from the teacher that states what they actually need for class. It works out because there are usually some clearance sales by then. Thanks for the contest.
Since my daughter is only 6, I don’t have to buy all the fancy and frilly school supplies yet. I save money by only buying the plain, cheaper supplies. I’m sure as she gets older, that will change. But for now, I’m taking advantage of it.
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I made the mistake of waiting until the week school started to buy my daughter some new gym shoes last year. She didn’t yet know how to tie her own shoes, so we were already limited on what we could buy, but the shelves were so picked over that I ended up paying way more money than I really should have because the options in her size were very limited. I will never do that again.
I also wish that my kids school sent out their school supply list sooner. We don’t get the list until 1-2 weeks before school starts, but the back to school sales start at least 4 months before that. I have really been enjoying the free school supplies at CVS. If something ends up not being on my daughters school supply list, I can always put the item in our art supplies at home.
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This is my first year NOT to do back to school shopping….but….back to college shopping!!! We have 2 kids going off to college and I am still shopping as many sales as possible, if not more. I have enjoyed the CVS sales this year….they still need pencils, pens, notebooks, staplers, index cards, etc!
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