School Supplies - How to Get Good Deals and Be Earth Friendly

It is nearly time for students to go back to school. We can see it and feel it - and not just because of the sad looks on our children's faces, but because of the ads in the newspapers and the commercials on television. Soon, everyone will be scrambling to get school supplies.

When students come home from school on the first day, amongst the myriads of paperwork they bring home for parents to sign, there is usually a list of educational supplies which their teachers write up to let parents know the specifics of the school year needs. You don't have to wait for a list from teachers. You can get a head start on school supplies right now by buying some of the most basic products such as notebooks, folders, pencils, paper and backpacks ahead of time. What is more, you can save money and do it in an earth-friendly way.

School Supplies - Advice for Getting the Most of Your Dollars

* School clothes and shoes are probably the most important school supplies you will need! Students tend to grow over the summer and even if they haven't grown much, it is a rare thing when a child is willing to wear "last year's clothes". Start shopping for clothes as soon as possible so you aren't trying to buy everything all in one day. Search outlets and warehouse stores before heading to more expensive shops. These types of stores have stylish name brand clothing for much less than you'll find anywhere else.

. Look around your home for school supplies. Maybe you have some of the things your children will need for school right in your own house. Often people have notebooks, paper, pens and pencils around that can be used in lieu of purchasing all of them.

. Keep an eye out for back-to-school sales that advertise ahead of time. If you know which day and at what time a great sale begins, you can plan to be there bright and early.

. There are many school supplies that can be found without waiting for a sale. Visit dollar stores and school supply stores for discount school supplies. Dollar stores often carry notebooks, pencils, erasers.... and discount department stores may have everything your child needs for back to school supplies.

. If you have a way to contact teachers before school starts, it is a good idea to do so. You can ask them for a list of classroom supplies that are needed for the curriculum. This way, you can be completely prepared when the sales are going on.

. Go green by purchasing as many recycled school supplies as you can. Paper, folders and notebooks made from recycled materials are available in many places. Keep in mind that most of the work your children do will eventually end up in the trash can. You can offset some of the waste by making sure school supplies are recycled when you purchase them.

. Reuse last year's backpacks if they are not torn or stained. To make them new again, wash them thoroughly and decorate them with markers, fabric pants or patches. If there are only a few stains, they can be covered with patches or paint. If your children really need new backpacks, there are some quality backpacks to be found online. When it comes to backpacks, it is better to pay a little more for durability than it is to buy the cheapest you can find. This way, you won't have to replace your children's backpacks in the middle of the school year.

With a little searching and some creativity, you can spend less and be environmentally conscious when gathering school supplies. Don't make the same mistakes as many parents who end up shopping late and because they are in a hurry, end up paying more for school supplies than they would have had they moved just a little faster.

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