When it comes to back-to-school shopping, the task of navigating store aisles or online sales for clothes, shoes, supplies, and sports equipment can be both time-consuming and expensive.
To help you stay on budget while still obtaining everything you need, here are some tips from Vitaly Pecharsky, the head of deals for Slickdeals, a unique online community of shoppers collaborating to shop more intelligently and save more money.
- Assess your current inventory – Before you head to the stores, take stock of the items you already have at home or in the office to determine your actual needs. Being aware of what you already possess can help you resist the temptation to stock up on unnecessary items simply because they are on sale. Those 50-cent packs of crayons may seem like a good deal, but purchasing too many can quickly accumulate costs, especially if you later discover that you already had the same items sitting unused in a closet or drawer at home.
- Consult with teachers – Don’t hesitate to email your children’s teachers before classes begin to inquire about the essential supplies. While the school may provide a list, the teachers may not necessarily require you to obtain all the items, particularly if some supplies will be shared or if restocking may be necessary later in the school year.
- Harness the power of technology – Shopping online offers a convenient way to compare products, services, and prices, but it can be overwhelming to determine if you’re truly getting the best options. Prior to finalizing your decisions on items ranging from laptops to markers, visiting a platform like Slickdeals can help you find top-quality products at the most competitive prices. With 12 million users who verify and vote on deals from leading retailers, you can feel confident that you’re receiving the best value. Additionally, you can set deal alerts to receive email notifications when deals matching your criteria are posted.
- Consider buying pre-owned – Not everything needs to be brand new each school year. From uniforms and sports equipment to clothing and more, visiting online consignment shops can lead to significant savings on like-new items, often from well-known brands.
- Avoid purchasing all extracurricular equipment at once – If your children are trying new sports, clubs, or extracurricular activities, it may be wise to delay purchasing all the necessary equipment upfront. Frequently, you can borrow or acquire pre-owned items from other parents whose children have outgrown the equipment or no longer participate. By doing so, you won’t be left with unused items collecting dust in your garage or basement if your children ultimately decide that the sport or activity isn’t for them.
- Shop without your children – According to a survey commissioned by Slickdeals and conducted by OnePoll, shopping without your children may help save money. The study, involving 2,000 parents in the United States, revealed that two-thirds of respondents believe shopping with their kids tends to be more expensive compared to solo shopping ventures, with an average cost of $133 when shopping alone versus $179 when accompanied by children.
- Take advantage of student discounts – If you have children in college, you can potentially benefit from using their student ID cards to save even more money. Before making significant purchases such as tablets or laptops, inquire about student-exclusive discounts. Some companies even offer discounted services, such as shipping, video streaming, music subscriptions, and more, exclusively for students.
Discover deals on supplies and gear for the back-to-school season at Slickdeals.com.
