Since my kids were little, each year I always stock up on extra school supplies and store them in my closet. As a mom, I am always looking for an opportunity to save my family money. Buying extra supplies for my supply box has always come in handy. In fact, I hardly ever have to run to the store during the middle of the school year to buy the kids new supplies. I just tell my kids to go dig out the items that they need from my school supply box. The cost of school supplies are always cheaper at the beginning of the school year and once the school rush is over the cost of basic school supplies are often 2 to 3 times higher. Here is a list of things that I keep in my supply box for my kids to use during the school year:
- Crayola Crayons – I skip the cheaper crayons and invest in the 24 count crayons that are often sold for $.50 cents or less depending on the area that you live in. The cheaper crayons tend to break easier and aren’t quality crayons. It is worth the little bit of extra money to invest in a good set of crayons for your children.
- Pens – You never can have too many pens in your house. I always pick up an extra bag of pens and store them in the box along with any extras that are left after my kids get the amount of pens that they need for the beginning of the school year. I can even raid the pens if I need some new ones for my purse or in the office.
- Pencils – I always grab an extra package of pencils so that we had an endless supply at home in case the kids needed some to get their homework done.
- Markers – I always grabbed an extra set of markers because we all know that markers often don’t last throughout the end of the school year and need to be replaced. Having a set of markers at home, also comes in handy for those school projects that kids have to do at home during the course of the school year. If I still have some left in my supply box, I will send the older set with the kids to school the next year and replace the stash with fresh markers.
- Map Pencils – I always grab and extra box or two of map pencils. They come in handy to have around the house for those home projects.
- Folders – In my house folders rarely last an entire school year and often times my kids need additional folders during the middle of the school year when they change classes mid-semester. I try to keep a good number on hand so that I don’t have to pay full price for folders during the middle of the school year.
- Paper – I always stock up on enough paper to last my kids the entire school year.
- Spiral Notebooks – I always keep a handful of extra spiral notebooks on hand so that if my kids need a new one. Since my older son is starting middle school, I will have to make sure that I keep additional notebooks at the house so that we have enough to last through the end of the school year.
- Stencil Letters– I bought a box of stencil letters one year for a project and I always make sure that the kids return them to my school supply box, it never fails they often need to use them each year for a school project.
- Note Cards (often called recipe cards) – These are handy to keep around the house, you never know when your child needs more during the school year.
Do you stock up on school supplies to last throughout the entire school year?
Comments
11 responses to “Learn My Secret Tip To Save Your Family Money On School Supplies”
I would like to say, that we go shopping for supplies really early, and shop for enough to last throughout the school year, but no — we don’t. There’s still hope, lol. Maybe this will be our year to get ahead of the game!
Gosh. So true about this summer going — no, flying — by. Can’t believe a lot of schools are already back in session.
Don’t feel bad Rhonda, I haven’t even started yet. I plan on waiting until tax free weekend. I need to stock up on basic essentials for the kids and to get their school supplies.
I haven’t had to get school supplies in awhile, but I remember they always got more expensive and more complicated every year. And that was times 4. Glad those days are behind me actually:)
Yes, my oldest is in high school and will probably need to invest in a graphing calculator. However, I am cheap and buy the Casio brand that does the same thing as the expensive TI brand.
I just got back from the start of our back to school shopping—you have shared many great points. One thing I’d add some teachers ask for specific colors so always keep the basic colors on hand-also I noticed they suggest having printed or patterned for extra like Tech, Music,& Art-I find letting my kids decorate a plain folder (¢20) compared to spending $1 plus for a print my kids LOVE adding their own personality to it.
This is an awesome idea Pamela, thank you for sharing.
Stencil letters? I totally need some of those! I too stock up ahead of time so this year, the only thing I didn’t get that my son needed was another pair of scissors. (I missed highlighters somehow, too, but at least those I had a few extras laying around so no need to run to the store until I’m already there.) When I go back, I’m looking for those stencils. That would have helped me with his lunchbox; I brought him a brand new one and already, he left it there! I didn’t put his name on it, I really hope he can find it tomorrow. Live & learn!
I bought the bigger cardboard letters that work great on poster board. The kids have used them several times since I bought them. I always made my kids keep their scissors from the year before and use them again. Scissors don’t have to be replaced each year as long as your child doesn’t lose them over the summer time.
Hi Christy,
I love the tips that you provided in this post and throughout your site. I am now a loyal reader:) I look forward to your future posts.
Many Blessings,
Stacie Walker
Woman in Leadership
Stacy,
Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you continue to enjoy my posts. 🙂
Christy
[…] of pens, paper, folders, binders, and your other traditional supplies when they think picking up school supplies. Today’s students often rely on technology even in the classroom. Plus, most kids have a ton […]