How to Stretch Your School Supply Dollar

Sending your kids back to school does not have to be expensive or stressful. With a little planning and shopping at the right time, families may find it can be easy to stretch your school supply dollar.
Step 1
Set a fixed dollar amount to spend on your supply budget and do not exceed the limit. Consider using a preloaded debit card or setting aside a fixed dollar amount for your supply budget in an envelope. Once the cash is depleted, no more can be spent on school expenses.
Step 2
Shop smart. Begin in late July and early August or when you see school supply advertisements on TV or in the newspaper. Stores have the best inventory of school supplies during these times. Browse the seasonal department at most discount stores for 10 cent to one dollar bins.
Step 3
Stock up on only school items required and replenished frequently during the year. For example, staples like notebooks, folders, and writing utensils. Investing more initially will save you time and hassle later on.
Step 4
Search the coupon section in weekly advertisements and make trips to several different stores to stretch your dollar further. Coupons offer substantial discounts over the retail price of these school supplies. Buy the maximum amount the coupon allows, to stretch your school supply dollar more. Do not forget the buy one, get one free offers to save money in creative ways.
Step 5
Shop for school supplies in obscure areas. For example, home improvement stores keep a nice variety of school supplies, and many are under one dollar!
Step 6
Start a school supply pool with other neighbors and mothers in your child's grade or classroom at the beginning of the school year. Each home will stock one full year of just one of the supplies needed on the school supply list (found at most local stores). These will not include specialty or big ticket items. The swap will happen once per year, or as designated by school group participants.
Step 7
Use department store coupons or credit cards for discounts on back to school clothing and backpacks. These eat up a good portion of your school supply dollar. You may find you get quality name brand items for a lot less. And these items last longer than bargain clothing, shoes and backpacks. Remember to pay credit card bills in full when they are due or you will have lost your savings on finance charges.
Step 8
Shop thrift stores and bargain stores for one dollar or less school supplies. These come in handy for the items the child will need. They offer bargains throughout the year, and the supplies are generally new and good quality.

Tips & Warnings:
* If you cannot afford the school supplies all at once, buy a little each week or month. Chances are your child will not need them all right at the beginning of school.
* Keep your supply list with you in case you run into bargains when you are out shopping for other household needs.
* It is not always necessary to buy the brands the teacher recommends. You can get much less expensive supplies with the off brands.
* Do not try to shop