8 Ways to Save Money on School Supplies
Whether it’s back from the summer holidays or half term, back to school supplies can be a real shock to the wallet. Take a look at that school supply list and suddenly you’re spending money before you’ve even got to the expensive bits like new shoes or a PE kit.
You don’t have to spend nearly as much as the shops want you to think. With a bit of planning and some simple swaps, you can get your kids kitted out without overspending. Here’s what you can do to save some money…
1. Check What You Already Have First
Before you buy anything, it’s worth having a good rummage. Go through last year’s school bag, check the kitchen drawers, look in the homework corner. You’ll probably find pencils that are still fine, a ruler that’s going nowhere, and scissors that work perfectly well.
Most school stationery doesn’t wear out in one year. You might just need to top up a few things rather than start from scratch. Make a list of what’s actually missing, and stick to it while you shop.
2. Stock Up on Notebooks Early
Once you know what you need, try to buy things like A4 notebooks and notepads before the back-to-school rush hits. Kids go through exercise books and writing pads all year long, so buying a multipack early nearly can work out cheaper than buying singles throughout the year.
The same can be said for pens and pencils. A pack of twelve pencils costs far less than buying them one or two at a time. It’s worth buying more than you think you need, so you don’t need to top up later.
3. Don’t Get Sucked in by Back-to-School Packaging
Every August, the same everyday products get dressed up in bright “back to school” packaging and put right at the front of the store. And yes, they often cost a little more just for that.
A plain pencil case does the exact same job as one with a specific character on it, or less money. Standard pens are no different to the ones in the school essentials section.
Unless your child has their heart set on something specific, go plain. It works just as well and saves you money every time.
4. Use the Supermarket for the Basics
Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons all run back-to-school deals in July and August. These are worth using for the simple stuff like pencils, rubbers, rulers, glue sticks, and felt tips.
Own-brand versions are perfectly fine for most of what kids need, especially in primary school.
Just don’t rely on the supermarket for everything. They often run out of stock quickly and don’t carry more specific things like geometry sets or certain folder sizes. Use them for the everyday basics and shop around for the rest.
5. Buy Neutral if You Have More Than One Child
If you’ve got more than one child, or younger ones about to start school, try to avoid buying anything too themed or personalised. Themed pencil cases and novelty folders tend to have a very short life. There’s also a good chance your child will go off that character before the year is out, and then it’s useless even if it’s barely been used.
Plain and simple design means it can be passed down, topped up, and used across different school years.
6. Wait for the Post-Summer Sales
September can actually be one of the worst times to buy school stationery. Once back-to-school season is over (usually by late September) leftover stock goes on sale.
If your child isn’t desperately short of something, it can be worth waiting a few weeks to stock up for the rest of the year at a lower price.
Christmas and Easter are also good times to grab things cheaply. Shops often discount stationery between terms and nobody really notices.
7. Shop Online for Better Deals
For anything beyond the basics, it’s almost always cheaper online. You can compare prices without walking from shop to shop, and you can buy bigger packs that aren’t always available on the high street.
Dedicated stationery and office retailers tend to have a much bigger range and better prices, especially if you’re buying a few things at once. Retailers like Office Stationery carry a wide range of supplies at good prices, and they’re worth checking when you’re doing a bigger shop rather than just picking up one or two bits.
Before you pay, always do a quick search for a discount code. It takes about ten seconds and can easily save you a few pounds.
8. Look After the Good Stuff
Speaking of looking after things, it’s worth spending a little more on the items your child uses every day. Cheap items like pencil cases can split after two weeks, or there’s rulers that snap with ease. All of these end up costing more because you have to replace them.
For the everyday essentials, buy something solid. A good pencil case or a sturdy set of pens should last longer providing they’re treated well. Think of it as a one-off cost rather than something you’re buying every September.
Before you stock up
School stationery doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check what you already have, buy in bulk where you can, skip the fancy packaging, and keep an eye out for sales throughout the year rather than just in August.
A little bit of planning at the start of each term makes a big difference by the end of itWant more tips like this? Check out our blog for money-saving ideas on everything from the weekly food shop to family days out.
