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This is a sponsored post on behalf of BIC and DonorsChoose.org through The Motherhood. All opinions are my own.
Have you started your back-to-school shopping?
Back to school shopping is one of my most favorite times of year. Can it be stressful…..? Absolutely! But back to school shopping for us has always been a special event, it gives a sense of a new start and fresh beginnings. This new school year will bring new friends, fun subjects, and a new teacher. With as many kids as I have, I had always taken this opportunity to have a “special day” with each child alone, which is sometimes a rare thing. During that day, we would get new clothes, new school supplies, a hair cut and lunch. Yes this can get very spendy but with thinking ahead you can make back to school shopping special and on budget.
7 Unique Shopping Tips To Save You Money This Back To School Season
Shop BIC For School Supplies
When looking for pencils, pens and highlighters on you back to school supply list, look for BIC Stationary products! Right now for a limited time, when you purchase over $10 worth of pencils, pens, markers and more from the BIC stationary line, you could receive a $10 donation code to give back to the public school project of your choice at DonorsChoose.org!
DonorsChoose.org is donating $100,000 to schools, a crowdfunding site for public school teachers. What better way to support your kids, teachers and school, than simply shopping for what you need and giving back… it has never been so easy!
HOW TO DONATE TO DONORSCHOOSE.ORG WITH BIC
1. Buy $10 or more of BIC ® stationery products (before taxes or coupons) at any major retailer.
2. Snap a photo of your receipt and submit it on BICBucksforTeachers.com to apply for a $10 BIC Bucks donation code,
while supplies last.
3. Use your DonorsChoose.org donation code to contribute to your classroom project of choice on DonorsChoose.org/bicbucksforteachers.
Look for Stores with “Bucks” Programs
I have learned over the years that you do not need to get your kids their winter sweaters in September when they first come out. I have cut my shopping list down to a few basics that will look nice for the first 6 weeks and then come back to redeem any bucks or rewards for a second round of cold weather clothes. I truly try and stay within budget…. If the promotions is Spend $40 and get $20 in “rewards…. then try to stay as close as you can to that $40 mark.
Shop Gift Cards at a Store that Offers Gas Points.
If you or your child has a favorite store that you know you will be doing a bulk of their shopping at, then I thing it would be safe to buy a gift card to earn gas points. Many stores in my area offer 4-10x gas points on gift cards…. that can really add up. If you buy a $100 gift card with 4x points – that equals $.40 off per gallon, if you get 25 gallons of gas, that is a savings of $10.
Get a friend to buy lost leaders
As the saying goes…. it takes a village!
Partner up with a few friends to tackle those smokin’ lost leader deals at different stores around town…. you know, the $.01 rulers 😉
Then meet up for coffee and split up your treasure without running around town.
Shop the clearance rack
If you are really wanting to save money on clothes, then shop the clearance racks. With retails seasons moving SO quick, items that you would be buying for back to school, especially for warm Septembers, may already be marked down for some hefty savings. Don’t forget to look for clearance shoes too!
FREE Hair Cuts
Many places offer free hair cuts at a back to school service or round up, please look at your towns events.
Also look into beauty schools for cheap and deep discounts on cuts and colors. You can also look for “live” classes where they are looking for volunteers at many salons.
Save your receipts
Have a save location or even snap a photo of your receipts for price adjustments on sale or clearance items, usually within 30 days (your store policy may vary).
alison netzer says
Great tips as I am in the middle of back to school craziness! Thank you I for sure use this to get out there and finally do it.
Casey says
Great post. I needed this as my kids are also back to school. Sometimes I just don’t know why they can burn so many within a year. Thank you, you have some good tips for saving a lot of money.
Sarah Bailey says
Hands up I am all for saving money and these sound like some really great tips! I am sure the back to school shopping trips can run up so expensive as well.
LaDonna Maxwell says
These are all fabulous tips. I wish i would have read them before I went back to school shopping.
Tara Pittman says
I am done with back to school shopping. My boys went back last week so they have all their supplies for now.
Evelyn Hernandez says
Great post, we are always looking for ways to save money. I didnt think of getting gift cards ahead of time, that is a great idea!
Kim Glad says
Love companies with heart. And love any initiatives that help public schools and teachers. Such a great cause!
Makito Umekita says
These are all great tips, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Annie Cho says
I love that shopping for school helps you to give back to great causes of your choice! Such a wonderful guide for parents!
xoxo
Annie
Princess Quinn says
Bic reminds me of my senior high. This was the brand my sister and I used. It glides smoothly on any paper. Makes writing a piece of cake.
Monidipa says
Amazing post. Very helpful tips for anyone undergoing back to school shopping. DonorsChoose.org are doing such a great job. Cheers.!!
Kiwi says
I didnt know it was a big method to back to school shopping. I like the shopping with friends method that would help a lot!
Heather says
Though we are all done with back to school shopping this year, I’m always looking for ways to save!
Vaishali says
Totally off topic but loved the Fred Meyer receipt. Ha ha. It brought back so many memories of the time when we used to live in pacific nw
LavandaMichelle says
What a cool post! These are some amazing tips. These could really help. Thanks for sharing.
Ladonna Batiste says
Back to school is here. Great post! Thanks for all the great tips on ways to save money during this time.
Suzanne says
Wow these are all such great tips to save! I love learning from others to keep saving money, thanks!
Wanda Lopez says
Those are great tips. We are still buying back to school items. Loving the ways we can give back to our schools! Thanks for sharing.
Heather says
I’ve been shopping clearance racks for my daughters but only when I’m shopping on my own. My oldest is nine and has absolutely no interest in looking at a sale rack…but she does get excited when I bring home new school clothes! BIC is doing something wonderful for teachers and their students. We participated and found a local classroom project to gift our donation.