Shopping Guides•February 8, 2025

Back-to-School Shopping Guide: Save on Supplies

Complete guide to back-to-school shopping on a budget. Learn supply lists, timing strategies, student discounts, and bulk buying tips to save money.

Lisa Wang

February 8, 2025

8 min read

Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to break the bank.After helping hundreds of families save 30-50% on their school supply purchases, I've learned that the key to success lies in timing, strategy, and taking advantage of student discounts and bulk buying opportunities.

In this comprehensive guide, I'll share the exact strategies that have helped families cut their back-to-school costs in half, including timing strategies, store comparisons, and grade-specific supply lists. You'll learn how to shop smart, not hard, and turn back-to-school shopping into a money-saving activity.

Timing Your Back-to-School Shopping

The timing of your back-to-school shopping can make a huge difference in your total cost. Here's the optimal schedule for maximum savings.

Early July

Time savings

potential savings

Planning & Research

Get supply lists, research prices, plan your shopping strategy

Pro Tips:

Get school supply lists
Research store prices
Plan shopping route
Set budget

Mid-July

20-30% off

potential savings

Early Sales

Take advantage of early back-to-school sales

Pro Tips:

Office supply stores
Department stores
Online retailers
Limited quantities

Early August

30-50% off

potential savings

Peak Sales

Major back-to-school sales begin

Pro Tips:

Best selection
Competitive prices
Bundle deals
Student discounts

Mid-August

6-10% off

potential savings

Tax-Free Weekends

Take advantage of tax-free shopping periods

Pro Tips:

Check state dates
Plan major purchases
Avoid crowds
Shop early

Late August

40-70% off

potential savings

Clearance & Last-Minute

Clearance sales and last-minute deals

Pro Tips:

Limited selection
Deep discounts
Fill gaps
Next year prep

Store Strategies for Maximum Savings

Different stores offer different advantages for back-to-school shopping. Here's how to choose the right stores for your needs.

Target

15-25% with student ID

potential savings

Strengths:

Student discounts
Bundle deals
Quality brands

Best For:

One-stop shopping, student discounts

Pro Tips:

Use Target Circle
Check weekly ads
Look for bundles
Student discount

Walmart

10-20% off competitors

potential savings

Strengths:

Low prices
Price matching
Wide selection

Best For:

Budget shopping, price matching

Pro Tips:

Price match
Shop online
Check clearance
Use app

Office Depot/OfficeMax

20-30% with bulk purchases

potential savings

Strengths:

School supplies
Bulk discounts
Teacher discounts

Best For:

Office supplies, bulk buying

Pro Tips:

Bulk discounts
Teacher program
Weekly sales
Online ordering

Amazon

15-25% with Prime Student

potential savings

Strengths:

Convenience
Bundle deals
Student Prime

Best For:

Online shopping, convenience

Pro Tips:

Prime Student
Subscribe & Save
Bundle deals
Price tracking

Grade-Specific Supply Lists

Different grade levels require different supplies. Here's what you need for each grade level and how to save money on each category.

Elementary (K-5)

$$25-40

estimated budget

Essential Supplies:

Pencils
Crayons
Markers
Glue sticks
Scissors
Notebooks
Folders

Optional Items:

Art supplies
Stickers
Bookmarks
Pencil sharpeners

Money-Saving Tips:

Buy in bulk
Share with siblings
Check teacher lists
Buy generic brands

Middle School (6-8)

$$40-70

estimated budget

Essential Supplies:

Binders
Notebooks
Pens
Pencils
Calculator
Ruler
Highlighters

Optional Items:

Graphing calculator
Art supplies
Sports equipment
Electronics

Money-Saving Tips:

Invest in quality
Check requirements
Buy used when possible
Use student discounts

High School (9-12)

$$60-150

estimated budget

Essential Supplies:

Binders
Notebooks
Pens
Pencils
Calculator
Backpack
USB drive

Optional Items:

Laptop
Tablet
Graphing calculator
Sports equipment
Electronics

Money-Saving Tips:

Invest in electronics
Check requirements
Buy used
Use student discounts

College

$$200-500

estimated budget

Essential Supplies:

Laptop
Notebooks
Pens
Pencils
Backpack
USB drive
Calculator

Optional Items:

Tablet
Textbooks
Dorm supplies
Electronics
Software

Money-Saving Tips:

Buy used textbooks
Use student discounts
Check requirements
Invest in quality

Student Discounts You Can't Miss

Many retailers offer significant discounts for students. Here are the best student discounts for back-to-school shopping.

Apple

Up to $200 off

potential savings

Discount:

Education pricing

Requirements:

Student ID or .edu email

Best For:

MacBooks, iPads, accessories

Microsoft

Up to $100 off

potential savings

Discount:

Student discount

Requirements:

Student verification

Best For:

Surface devices, Office 365

Adobe

60% off

potential savings

Discount:

Student pricing

Requirements:

Student verification

Best For:

Creative Cloud subscriptions

Spotify

50% off

potential savings

Discount:

Student Premium

Requirements:

Student verification

Best For:

Music streaming

Bulk Buying Tips for Families

Buying in bulk can save significant money on school supplies. Here are the strategies that work best for families.

Calculate Unit Prices

Compare prices per unit to find the best bulk deals

Example: A 24-pack of pencils for $12 vs. 12-pack for $8 - the 24-pack is cheaper per pencil

Share with Other Families

Split bulk purchases with other families to reduce costs

Example: Buy a case of notebooks and split with 3 other families

Consider Storage Space

Make sure you have space to store bulk purchases

Example: Buy enough for the school year, not multiple years

Check Expiration Dates

Some supplies have expiration dates

Example: Glue sticks and markers have expiration dates

Key Takeaways for Back-to-School Savings

Start Early

Begin planning in July to take advantage of early sales and avoid last-minute price hikes

Use Student Discounts

Many retailers offer 10-25% discounts for students - always ask

Buy in Bulk

Purchase non-perishable supplies in bulk to save 20-40% per unit

Shop Multiple Stores

Different stores excel at different categories - shop strategically

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Weekends

Save 6-10% on major purchases during tax-free shopping periods

Plan for Next Year

Buy extra supplies during clearance sales for next year's needs

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to start back-to-school shopping?

Start planning in early July and begin shopping in mid-July. This gives you access to early sales while avoiding the crowds and price hikes that come with last-minute shopping.

How much should I budget for back-to-school supplies?

Budget varies by grade level: Elementary $25-40, Middle School $40-70, High School $60-150, College $200-500. These are estimates for basic supplies without electronics.

Are store brands worth buying for school supplies?

Yes, store brands often offer 20-40% savings with comparable quality. For basic supplies like pencils, notebooks, and folders, store brands are usually just as good as name brands.

Should I buy electronics during back-to-school sales?

Yes, back-to-school season offers some of the best deals on electronics, especially laptops and tablets. Look for bundle deals that include accessories and warranties.

How can I save money on textbooks?

Buy used textbooks, rent instead of buying, check online retailers, and look for digital versions. Many students save 50-70% by avoiding the campus bookstore.

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