Saving on School Supplies | Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union

Have you or your kids headed back to the classroom for a new school year recently? There is nothing better than a good long break, but it can also be nice to find your way back into a steady routine.

The start of a school year often brings new expenses with it, including what can sometimes feel like an impossible list of school supplies. If you teach, supplies are likely a year-round expense, and even if you don’t, there will always be something that needs to be picked up throughout the school year.

It can be hard to keep your costs low on these supplies, especially when something specific is needed. There are ways you can find what you need and stay within your budget. That can be especially helpful if you do teach and have a whole classroom to stock.

Savings for Students

One of the best ways to cut your costs on school supplies is to plan ahead. Most schools can supply required lists fairly early, which will give you the opportunity to pick things up throughout your break in order to catch the best prices. Shopping sales over the course of a year can be particularly helpful if you have a student headed to college for the first time.

Do a little digging for the items you need in order to find the best prices and equipment that will make it through the entire year or longer. Many places host sales in the summer and again around the holidays in order to help ease the sting of a full cart. Look at non-traditional places to shop as well, such as a hardware store for necessary dorm items. Refrigerators, microwaves and other home goods are generally part of their regular inventory, which means they can keep the prices lower.

Savings for Teachers

Teachers can certainly take advantage of the same savings techniques that parents or students do, but there are a few other ways they can get help stocking their classrooms. While some of these mean getting a little creative, there are also grants and other funding options teachers can apply for.

Skipping the box stores and heading to a school supply discount store can be beneficial for teachers. Many of them offer educator discounts and can provide items in bulk. Check into exchange groups as well, particularly those geared toward educators. You may be able to find gently used items or trade things you are not using with another teacher that has something you need.

Do a little research on foundations that offer grants for classrooms, and apply to anything that is applicable. And don’t underestimate the power of recycling! Take a look at the supplies you already have before you plan out your lessons. Leftover materials from one project might work great on a completely different one.

Life is expensive enough, so the more ways we can find to save on the have-to-have items the better. Send your kids to school or stock your classroom with everything needed, but don’t blow your budget doing it!

Need other ways to keep your budget on track and create the financial future you want? Contact us to get started.