Back to School Bargain Thread

[Mom2micayla]

I found reams of copier paper at Walmart for $2.50. Not great, not bad. I bought my 6 reams and came out ahead of what I had assumed I'd spend, so that's good.

I also bought WAY more markers than needed. I got 15 packs. I have the 3 in class and each is required to bring in one set of markers. I got the Cra Z Art ones I was talking about earlier for $.70 a pack of 11 washable makers. They come in 3 color combos (classic, assorted and bolds & brights). I'm planning on sending in one pack each set for the kids, and then I'll have extras left over for us here or for later in the year when they start to dry out or get lost. I bought about 1/2 of their supplies and it was $57. I did get an electric pencil sharpener for here though, so that was $12 of that budget. I expect to spend another $50 or so, accounting for buying extras of some stuff. I already had some stuff laying around (like Expo markers.. got those b1g1 around xmas) so that helps make it slightly cheaper atm. Of course I paid for those back then, but it's not all coming out now.

Incidentally, we ran into 3 of the kinder teachers from my kids school there who I noticed were all stocking up on supplies themselves. I would have thought they'd wait until school starts to pick up supplies rather than possibly spending their money on stuff they get tons of, but I guess you have to get it now while it's cheap.

One of the things on my son's kinder list is beginner or jumbo pencils. They have never been on any previous list for my girls. The school always supplied them. I've looked around and I'm having a hard time finding them. Any ideas of where to get them?

 

[Nik's Mom]

I usually buy the jumbo pencils at Target, but not in the school supply area. I usually find them in the office supply area.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I went to a different Walmart today and found:
loose leaf paper- .75 (they had plenty, I bought 10)
composition books- .25
folders w/prongs- .15


I'm disappointed with the staples sale this year, I probably won't even bother with it unless I decide to pick up some printer ink as well.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have a DD entering high school this year, can anyone give me an idea of what kind of supplies I can expect to need? I already have the basics: pens, pencils, paper, highlighters. I can't think if there's anything else. I'm anticipating a calculator, but last year the school supplied them for the classroom so I don't know yet.

 

[torinsmom]

I found reams of copier paper at Walmart for $2.50. Not great, not bad. I bought my 6 reams and came out ahead of what I had assumed I'd spend, so that's good.

I also bought WAY more markers than needed. I got 15 packs. I have the 3 in class and each is required to bring in one set of markers. I got the Cra Z Art ones I was talking about earlier for $.70 a pack of 11 washable makers. They come in 3 color combos (classic, assorted and bolds & brights). I'm planning on sending in one pack each set for the kids, and then I'll have extras left over for us here or for later in the year when they start to dry out or get lost. I bought about 1/2 of their supplies and it was $57. I did get an electric pencil sharpener for here though, so that was $12 of that budget. I expect to spend another $50 or so, accounting for buying extras of some stuff. I already had some stuff laying around (like Expo markers.. got those b1g1 around xmas) so that helps make it slightly cheaper atm. Of course I paid for those back then, but it's not all coming out now.

Incidentally, we ran into 3 of the kinder teachers from my kids school there who I noticed were all stocking up on supplies themselves. I would have thought they'd wait until school starts to pick up supplies rather than possibly spending their money on stuff they get tons of, but I guess you have to get it now while it's cheap.

I was one of those K teachers stocking up, LOL. We always run out of crayons, markers and glue sticks, and I might as well get it cheap.

One of the things on my son's kinder list is beginner or jumbo pencils. They have never been on any previous list for my girls. The school always supplied them. I've looked around and I'm having a hard time finding them. Any ideas of where to get them?

I get them at Office Depot. We use them for our PreK's.

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/725368/Prang-My-First-Ticonderoga-Pencil-Box/

I have a DD entering high school this year, can anyone give me an idea of what kind of supplies I can expect to need? I already have the basics: pens, pencils, paper, highlighters. I can't think if there's anything else. I'm anticipating a calculator, but last year the school supplied them for the classroom so I don't know yet.

I was pleasantly surprised that my DS did not need much for HS. Like you said, pens, pencils, highlighters. Some want a binder, some don't. His HS has checkout calculators for all the math classes, so we didn't have to buy the expensive one. When he has homework he needs one for, we use an online scientific calculator or mine circa 1990, LOL. Still works.....

Marsha

 

[LoriABil]

Subbing! Yay, it's already time to buy school supplies? But at least this thread will make it more fun...or at least bearable.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I'm a homeschooler, so I don't have a set supply list, just whatever we need. Our walmart doesn't have much out yet.

But, I've been reading through this thread and I'm just shocked by the reams of paper. I just can't believe schools don't supply that. My mom is a teacher and it just keeps getting harder and harder. To all the teachers on here, I'm completely impressed by all you do especially with all you have to supply on your own.

 

[NVDisMom]

I have a DD entering high school this year, can anyone give me an idea of what kind of supplies I can expect to need? I already have the basics: pens, pencils, paper, highlighters. I can't think if there's anything else. I'm anticipating a calculator, but last year the school supplied them for the classroom so I don't know yet.

My friend's son is entering his sophomore year. She was ecstatic at how much less he needed for school. Pen, pencil, paper pretty much covers it. And the computer, but he had that already. Now the sports costs are a different story! lol

 

[tinkabella627]

I was one of those K teachers stocking up, LOL. We always run out of crayons, markers and glue sticks, and I might as well get it cheap.



Marsha

I am a 3rd grade teacher and stock up too!! For $.25 cents for crayons and glue that at some point in the next year or two we will need, you can't beat it! I did however tell my husband NOT to let me get any notebooks this year. I probably have about 50 left over from the past couple years!

 

[disneydreamersx4]

Starting July 11th Walgreens has paper 2 for $1 (130 sheets ea); 9cents for highlighters; 39cents for mechanical pencils 10/pkg

It's so unfair of Staples to make us spend a minimum this year when the economy is hard for everyone

 

[momof1princess]

just got back from my weekly errands and i got:

3 packs of papermate pens at walgreens - $.62
2 composition books at wal-mart - $.50
4 packs of 2 elmer's glue sticks - $1.20 (.30 each)

i also spent $19.60 at books a million on the two paperback books DD needed for english class - a copy of "the outsiders" was $10.00! ack!

 

[Leajess99]

In the Staples ad it looks like the paper is not an extreme deal, so maybe it will work for the minimum purchase amount since it is a rebate?

I never even thought of that. I also wanted to apologize in case my post sounded harsh. I was not meaning to mkae it sound so bad.

 

[ceecee]

We need to buy a $100 calculator for math! The one we had before was $15 and they used it for two years (good thing it was cheap because she lost or it gotten taken out of pencil pouch two of them).

 

[Leajess99]

Office Depot's sale next week is not good for school supplies. They already have it on their website.

 

[tadamom]

Not sure if this will help anyone but my kids have to wear school uniforms and I found girl & boy polo's by Izod along with skorts for girls and shirts for boys at Ross for $5.99-$6.99 each. Great deal in my book!

 

[Dislaney4n6]

Yep... the minimum spend is annoying, but I have a couple of other things I need anyway. I'm a teacher, so I do at least get a higher limit on the pencils and folders... doubt it will be higher limit for the paper.

Guess I'd better take a couple of weeks to spread out my purchases of items not typically for a penny so I can meet the minimum purchase each week.

If you have to buy the reams of paper they are 4.99 each buy two and you have your limit of $5 for the folders and pencils. You will get your money back with the instant rebate but should count for the min. purchase. Also, Walgreens has printable coupons online after their weekly ad. Composition books 5 for $1. Other coupons too, but the comp books was the best IMHO

***update... I just went to the Staples site for the weekly ad and checked the fine print. Did not see a minimum purchase required in any fine print. Saw limit 10 folders, 2 pencils, 2 paper, but nothing about a minimum purchase

 

[angwill]

Our school didn't do communal stuff and I learned early on that yellow pencils are the only pencils that last. If I sent in even colored pencils with no design/cartoon even with DS name on them they would get stolen and I would be buying tons of pencils to replace them.

 

[LisaNJ25]

not sure if this has been posted but at toys r us the lunch boxes are free with purchase of a book bag. Also if you get $14.99 or more of Disney school items you get a 4 pack of Toy Story kooky pens for free.

I also had a 10 off 50 coupon and employee discount.. I ended up paying $11.xx for each book bag.

 

[brewcrew]

We need to buy a $100 calculator for math! The one we had before was $15 and they used it for two years (good thing it was cheap because she lost or it gotten taken out of pencil pouch two of them).

Check out craigslist for these expensive calculators. You will have alot of college kids who only needed them for one course and are trying to get rid of them. Also, wait for Office max, Staples or office Depot to have a deal on them. Usually they do an instant rebate or Buy this get.....

Hope that helps because these calculators are EXPENSIVE!!!

 

[MomToOne]

***update... I just went to the Staples site for the weekly ad and checked the fine print. Did not see a minimum purchase required in any fine print. Saw limit 10 folders, 2 pencils, 2 paper, but nothing about a minimum purchase

Click on the item on the ad page - on the popup window, it says "1 cent each, with minimum $5 purchase".