We all know it's coming around and we dread it.
- Did we budget for it?
- Where are the sales?
- How far do I need to drive to save a buck or two?
- Is it worth the gas?
- How big is the teacher's list? Seems to get bigger every year, doesn't it?
And if you've got teens, it can be even more difficult! Where in days past, they were content with those awesome giant garage sale bags, now they're a tad bit pickier! Ugh! Yep...it'll cost ya...or...maybe not...
Over the years I've learned how seriously squeeze every penny out of a dime. And here are just a few tricks I've picked up.
- Order Online: When it comes to inexpensive gear, Aliexpress blows everywhere else out of the water. Mind you, you're gonna be waiting close to a MONTH for your items.
The reason for this is where the items are coming from. When you shop on Aliexpress, you're buying directly from the manufacturer. Before you think that's taking somebody's job, you're actually not. A vast majority of the stores you shop at, are overcharging you for stuff they got for pennies. They bring it over from India, Japan, China etc...slap a label on it and charge you 20$ for a 1$ item. Technically....you seriously being ripped off on a daily basis. So skip the middle man.
It's the equivalent of drop shippers. You know...the type that triple charges you for that item on Amazon, when they don't even have the item. They take your order, jack up the price and then order your item for pennies, off of sites like Aliexpress. Avoid these people. You'll know you're being overcharged if the Amazon order says it may take 30 days for arrival. They don't even have the product. They're just gonna order it off Aliexpress and slap your address on it.
TIP: If you shop a site like Aliexpress, make sure to always use the 'Free Shipping Filter' and 'Price Low To High' first. Multiple sellers typically have different prices for the same items. Also, ALWAYS FOLLOW THE SELLERS SIZING INSTRUCTIONS! Typically, you need to go a full size or two UP!
- Thrift Shops: If you have a picky teenager and they REFUSE to shop at Thrift Stores for fear of kids finding out, then don't take them with you! If you know their sizes, grab what they will like, wash and iron the items, wrap them up as a back to school gift...they're none the wiser. This works best for 0 to 15-year-olds. After that, the jig is up! They tend to start to question missing tags etc... of course, you can always save some and reuse them.
- End of Season Sales: Supplies, unlike clothes, don't need to fit a growing body. Buy supplies whenever the heck you see a special! Pat Catans if having a sale on Elmers Glue in the middle of June? Alrighty then! I'll take 10.
- Start a Neighborhood Clothing Chain: I honestly have only had to buy my 13-year-old clothes, on his birthday or Christmas! I live in a development with over 200 kids. We just pass clothes along as they grow.
- Clean Out Your Cupboards: I often wondered how I ended up with so much junk in that end drawer in my kitchen. Lawd! I could have a garage sale with that particular drawer all by itself!
Let the kids have a scavenger hunt in your junk. Dig through drawers and boxes. Teach them to recycle what you already have available in the house.
- Look for Freebies: I can't tell you how many pencils I've collected over the years, just from going to events. There's always some vendor or booth, that gets a kick out of handing out pencils.
- Friends and Relatives: This depends on your overall family relationships. If grandma or grandpa is involved, they can be a great help! In my case, my mother is retired from the school system. Over the years we have raided her cupboards more than once, for the occasional three-ring binder.
- Charities: Only use this if you ACTUALLY NEED TO! These programs are for people in real need, not thrifty people who are saving for a vacation or a new deck extension.
Many churches can help with school supplies and clothing. Often they have a sign-up list available just before school. In the USA, a simple google search can hook you up with human resources that can help with free supplies. This probably holds true in many countries.
- Focus on the Big Items: Crayons and markers are usually on sale EVERYWHERE! So focus early in the summer on those graphing calculators and backpacks. Keep your eyes peeled for good deals.
- Coupons: Well duh! Especially if you know how to coupon correctly. For instance, if a store has their own coupon and you're allowed to use the manufacturer coupon...oh doggy! You can get some items for free or pretty dang close to free. And don't forget the major coupon apps, like GROUPON and Target's Cartwheel.
- Shop on TAX-FREE Days: Yes, believe it or not...there are days one does not need to pay a sales tax! WOW! Here's link to those days, depending on the state you're in.
Sales Tax-Free Shopping Days
With any luck, we're all gonna make through another year without needing to take out a second mortgage!
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