How to save money on back-to-school necessities | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
August 10, 2016
Before buying new clothes and supplies, check out these back-to-school budget tips from BBB:
Do a Home Inventory List. You may already own many of the items.
Make a shopping list. Even if you do not know the exact school supply list, you should get an idea of school clothing and other basic school needs. Beware of impulse buying.
Create a budget. Sign up for online sales alerts from your favorite stores. Consider buying basic supplies (like notebooks, folders and pencils) at discount stores, such as a dollar store.
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Review advertisements. Review ads for price matching policies. Be aware of restrictions on quantities and dates for sale and return policies. When online shopping, read the fine print for return and exchange policies. Also, be sure to take advantage of free shipping specials.
Network with other parents. Seek out or host a clothing swap online or in your neighborhood. This can be a great way to recycle your gently used items and save money on the things you need this year. Also, consider buying certain items in bulk and splitting the cost with other parents in your area.
Take advantage of discounts. Many stores offer student and teacher discounts on hot items like laptops and uniforms. Retailers will be trying to make room for fall fashion and the newest models, so there are incredible savings to be had on older items.