Savvy School Supply Shopping

♫“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”♫ Back-to-School shopping has always been the most wonderful time of the year for me, while others believe shopping for school supplies marks the end of summer vacation. There is something about new clothes, new shoes, new markers, and new notebooks that makes Back-to-School all about a fresh start. More than January 1st, a new school year’s start can signify growth and change, and after two months of fun in the sun, anything’s possible this year! 

Back-to-School shopping mantras

With these optimisms in mind, it is important to know the best way to get the most out of this possibly revolutionary experience. The only way to make your stationary purchases last through the year is to make the right kind of purchases. As a perpetual student, experienced elementary teacher, thrifty mother and self-professed school supply expert hoarder, I’ve developed a set of Back-to-School shopping mantras. 

• A list is a lifeline. Most schools will provide a sample list of what each student needs for the upcoming school year. In addition, you can find suggested supply checklists in many stores these days. No matter where your list comes from, DO NOT set out shopping for school supplies without a list. Children themselves will be the best experts in creating such checklists. They know what other kids in their class have. Like colours of markers, what things they are most likely to use, and what supplies their teacher next year will never allow (like pens!). Including them in the list-making process ensures they will be happy with the haul.

• Take stock of existing essentials. If you take a good look around the house, you will most likely find a good supply. Such as lined paper, coloured pencils, coloured pens, and sharpeners on hand. Now is the time to pull it out. I could make up a statistic about how much you could save by just taking stock of materials you already have.  New pens, markers, pencils, notebooks, and other consumables will probably need repurchasing. Things like pencil cases, sharpeners, binders, and folders can probably be reused. If you bought extra on sale last year, now is the time to pull them out and check them off this year’s list! Also, if you see especially good sales this year, you can stock up for next year too. (Just remember where you put it!) 

• You get what you pay for. Have you ever wondered why some pencils seem to break every time you try to sharpen them?. Often, it is the cheaper ones that do this because the wood has dried out and separated from the graphite stick inside. I have learned my lesson the hard way about trying to cut costs by shopping at discount or dollar stores. I usually end up having to buy new supplies a week or two later. Instead, watch for sales at office supply stores where you can buy better products that will last longer since their stock is newer. 

• Set a spending cap. After taking stock of supplies you already have around the house, make a list.  You should now have a good idea of what the rest should cost. Involve the consumers (the students) in this process and give them a budget of what is reasonable to spend. Make it part of your existing reward system at home. Let them earn extra spending money for school supplies (to buy fancy, multi-colour pens) if they contribute to more chores.  A child can understand that the money is earned from somewhere and that there is a limited supply.  They will be more likely to take better care of their supplies during the school year. 

• Label Everything! How many times have you heard your child come home from school and tell you that they are fresh out of pencils? Teachers – How many times have you swept a classroom floor and raked in more than a dozen pencils?. A label can mean the difference between buying new pencils weekly and making the September shop last all year. If you take the time to purchase labels, use a label maker, or even do it the ‘old-fashioned’ way with a permanent marker.  School supplies will find their way home.

Most of all, don’t forget to make it fun! While you are keeping in mind all of the necessities you need to buy, maintain a budget. Keep an eye out for deals and writing your child’s name hundreds of times; remember that it all comes together. The ‘First Day of School!!’ (always capitalized with lots of exclamation marks in my calendar) is the first day of the rest of your child’s life. A new school year is truly a new beginning. Starting the year off right with positive memories of the shopping scavenger hunts and the late-night labelling marathons. Could just end up being the most wonderful time of the year. Happy hunting!

Supply List Recommendations

• Pencils: purchase at least 20; don’t buy from the dollar store, label every single one!.
• Pencil Sharpener: If you buy right, you only need to buy 1 good one. I recommend Staedtler or a similar durable one with a compartment for shavings and a good-quality blade.
• Erasers: Good erasers mean easier-to-read work. Choose white vinyl erasers that you can label easily; they also last longer than pink or coloured erasers.
• Pens: You only need a few blue or black pens with colours for accents. Cheap pens run out of ink faster. I like Papermate, but pens can be personal. Try a few out to see what feels right.
• Crayons, pencil crayons, and markers: Keep these well supplied for colouring projects. Buy good brands like Crayola or Laurentian – they will last longer and have brighter colours.
• Glue: Elmer is the best brand for glue. Cheap brands dry out very fast and don’t stick well. Glue sticks are best, but liquid glue can have its purpose when used sparingly.
• Pencil Cases: Choose a sturdy one that can hold all of the necessities, or buy two. A pencil case for pencils and pens and Pencil Crayons and markers.
• Paper: A students shouldn’t need more than a package of 200 sheets in one school year; look for it on sale but don’t overbuy!
• Binders: Purchase sturdy binders; D-rings are easier and don’t curl the pages; buy hole reinforcements for those pages that inevitably get torn out. Zippered binders with accordion folders built in can be great for kids who tend to misplace loose sheets of homework, but they take up a lot of space in a backpack.
• Report folders (duotangs): stock up when you see them on sale, buy multi-colours and styles so you have the perfect one for each project.
• Extras: mini-staplers, binder-sized 3-hole punches & fancy pens are gimmicks that are cute and fun, but not always necessities. Staplers become toys quickly and shouldn’t be sent to school unless requested by the teacher. Fun supplies are always exciting to buy, but can quickly use up your budget.
• Labels: I love Mabel’s Labels, which can contribute to school fundraisers, but a standard labeller or a permanent marker will do the trick too.