Buy just the essentials before the school year, then wait to see what their teachers want. Too many times I stocked up and then had to go buy more stuff because certain classes/teachers wanted particular things.
Start collecting good deals in July - kleenex, wipes, paper etc. - from every source you shop: grocery stores, drugstores, dollar stores, Target. And use coupons! I just got free pens/pencils from the grocery store using coupons yesterday.
Stock up during the tax free weekend and when school supplies are on sale. That way, later on when kids run out of things, you already have replacements
Create back-to-school stockpile by waiting until after school starts and taking advantage of the markdowns. The school supply list for my kids school doesn't change much from year to year so I look ahead and try to buy clearance items that they will need later.
Great idea Tom . But more so CLEAN your tooth brush people, wash the whole brush with warm water and mild dish soap will work well or soak in the cup holder with a teaspoon of bleach and very warm water, , soak for a good fifteen mins. ,, especially the bristles, then wash well with mild dish soap . Just from the germs from your mouth is one of the filthiest parts of your body ...NOT to mention the spores that float around from flushing your toilet and those spores float on your toothbrush, they carry germs you wouldn't believe .. And IF your Sick (flu) or just a cold , your just not reinfecting yourself but your infecting your loved ones that puts their toothbrush in the same toothbrush holder.. Keep your toothbrush CLEAN people...! I told a doctor about cleaning the toothbrush when your sick, He said "OH MY GOD" your so rite.. I'll have to let my patients know about that... Gosh I never thought about the repercussions just from a dirty toothbrush... Thank You
I am an iced latte lady. I save $ by:
1- Bring my own Grande sized ice cup
2 - Put vanilla flavoring (like you bake with) in the cup and liquid stevia.
3 - get 2 shots of espresso and have them fill the cup with ice.
4 - Then, I put in half & half until I am happy with the color - usually just a bit.
I can usually get this for $2.00 - and it makes a Grande
The children may not like it but thirst stores, consignments shops and trading with other families saves money on clothes. Our state has tax free week which helps save a little bit, if you do have to buy new.
Keurig K-CUPS! I did the math once and just buying our k-cups from Costco is worth the $55 membership. We each drink 1 cup of coffee a day, so 730 k-cups a year. The k-cups we buy are 50 cents each at Costco (sometimes cheaper!), which is the best deal I've seen. Most other places are around 60 cents a cup, unless I happen to have coupons/it's on sale. Even then, it's rarely 50 cents a cup. Buying K-cups from Costco alone saves us $70 a year.
GAS, as others have mentioned is totally worth it too. Usually around 50 cents a gallon cheaper than most places. You just have to be patient or time it right, as the lines can get long.
One that most don't know about - CAR RENTALS! I was able to book a car rental in San Francisco from Fri - Sun in August for $45...TOTAL!
Many stores have a specific item (such as reams of paper) at massive discounts to draw in customers, usually with a low maximum per customer. Separating shopping carts (and therefore purchases) between children and adults shopping can help you maximize the savings on that loss product, giving you ample supply for the upcoming year.
Don't buy an entire winter wardrobe for your kids in August. Kids grow. One mom I know ended up giving away $100 worth of pants because her son had a growth spurt before it got cold!
First, look within your own house! There are so many items within your own home that you do not even realize until it gets to being the middle of the school year.
Secondly, if you must purchase items, look at the weekly ads and best deals. Last week, Office Depot had penny folders and $1 pens for a pack of 4! Only go for those great deals!
That is strange. They are connected at every Costco I have been in. I'm not sure why the food court only accepting cash would keep this from working. I just show my receipt at the food court and they give me my food.
Buy just the essentials before the school year, then wait to see what their teachers want. Too many times I stocked up and then had to go buy more stuff because certain classes/teachers wanted particular things.
Start collecting good deals in July - kleenex, wipes, paper etc. - from every source you shop: grocery stores, drugstores, dollar stores, Target. And use coupons! I just got free pens/pencils from the grocery store using coupons yesterday.
Stock up during the tax free weekend and when school supplies are on sale. That way, later on when kids run out of things, you already have replacements
Create back-to-school stockpile by waiting until after school starts and taking advantage of the markdowns. The school supply list for my kids school doesn't change much from year to year so I look ahead and try to buy clearance items that they will need later.
Good quality shoes I would spend a fair amount on and a good backpack. everything else I shop for sales and price check
Watch the sales flyers and make a list for back to school.
Kim,
Indeed. Books like 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad', and concepts in it, are ideally shared to young people (as young as possible).
This is a great idea.
This helps beat inflation, and get better returns.
We must know what we are doing so that we invest on the good stocks, which is itself the challenge.
Check by the books section.
Great idea Tom . But more so CLEAN your tooth brush people, wash the whole brush with warm water and mild dish soap will work well or soak in the cup holder with a teaspoon of bleach and very warm water, , soak for a good fifteen mins. ,, especially the bristles, then wash well with mild dish soap . Just from the germs from your mouth is one of the filthiest parts of your body ...NOT to mention the spores that float around from flushing your toilet and those spores float on your toothbrush, they carry germs you wouldn't believe .. And IF your Sick (flu) or just a cold , your just not reinfecting yourself but your infecting your loved ones that puts their toothbrush in the same toothbrush holder.. Keep your toothbrush CLEAN people...! I told a doctor about cleaning the toothbrush when your sick, He said "OH MY GOD" your so rite.. I'll have to let my patients know about that... Gosh I never thought about the repercussions just from a dirty toothbrush... Thank You
I am an iced latte lady. I save $ by:
1- Bring my own Grande sized ice cup
2 - Put vanilla flavoring (like you bake with) in the cup and liquid stevia.
3 - get 2 shots of espresso and have them fill the cup with ice.
4 - Then, I put in half & half until I am happy with the color - usually just a bit.
I can usually get this for $2.00 - and it makes a Grande
Don't forget used wine corks! synthetic or all wood you need at least 50.
The children may not like it but thirst stores, consignments shops and trading with other families saves money on clothes. Our state has tax free week which helps save a little bit, if you do have to buy new.
My tip is to use coupons whenever possible.
Keurig K-CUPS! I did the math once and just buying our k-cups from Costco is worth the $55 membership. We each drink 1 cup of coffee a day, so 730 k-cups a year. The k-cups we buy are 50 cents each at Costco (sometimes cheaper!), which is the best deal I've seen. Most other places are around 60 cents a cup, unless I happen to have coupons/it's on sale. Even then, it's rarely 50 cents a cup. Buying K-cups from Costco alone saves us $70 a year.
GAS, as others have mentioned is totally worth it too. Usually around 50 cents a gallon cheaper than most places. You just have to be patient or time it right, as the lines can get long.
One that most don't know about - CAR RENTALS! I was able to book a car rental in San Francisco from Fri - Sun in August for $45...TOTAL!
shop on tax free shopping days
Use coupons whenever possible, and if you have a credit card with a rotating or special categories of spend, try to maximize them for your purchases!
We buy in bulk @ Sam's Club or Costco -- the supplies last all year!
Hit the clearance after school has started to round out this years shopping and/or get a head start on next years list!
Many stores have a specific item (such as reams of paper) at massive discounts to draw in customers, usually with a low maximum per customer. Separating shopping carts (and therefore purchases) between children and adults shopping can help you maximize the savings on that loss product, giving you ample supply for the upcoming year.
Don't buy an entire winter wardrobe for your kids in August. Kids grow. One mom I know ended up giving away $100 worth of pants because her son had a growth spurt before it got cold!
First, look within your own house! There are so many items within your own home that you do not even realize until it gets to being the middle of the school year.
Secondly, if you must purchase items, look at the weekly ads and best deals. Last week, Office Depot had penny folders and $1 pens for a pack of 4! Only go for those great deals!
That is strange. They are connected at every Costco I have been in. I'm not sure why the food court only accepting cash would keep this from working. I just show my receipt at the food court and they give me my food.
At my local Costco they are located in the aisle nearest checkout.
Moderation in all things. :-)