Back to School Bargain Thread

[encinc]

Our kids' school actually requested Crayola Markers - original colours only. I'm surprised that they can get away with specifying a brand, but I don't mind, because I'd want to buy Crayola anyway after too many bad experiences with off brands.

 

[pixeemom]

subbing!

 

[pixeemom]

Our kids' school actually requested Crayola Markers - original colours only. I'm surprised that they can get away with specifying a brand, but I don't mind, because I'd want to buy Crayola anyway after too many bad experiences with off brands.

same in our school as well.
I guess the teachers know whats good and whats not good, it is sometimes hard on the parents wallets thou who have more then 2 or 3 kids and they have to buy tons of supplies. But I see the teachers points

 

[maggiew]

Our kids' school actually requested Crayola Markers - original colours only. I'm surprised that they can get away with specifying a brand, but I don't mind, because I'd want to buy Crayola anyway after too many bad experiences with off brands.

Our school specified Crayola markers and crayons, Dixon pencils, and Prang paint box. Oh, and a specific kind of scissors, but I don't remember the name.

My kids are in high school now, so luckily no list.

Maggie

 

[rszdtrvl]

When I got my son's binder from Amazon.com I also got him highlighters and these colored pencils :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000089DCH/ref=oss_product

They got wonderful reviews, and while a bit on the expensive side, he may be in art this year, plus used his colored pencils a lot last year.

He is in 8th grade, so the only specified things is college ruled notebook paper and a specific PE uniform.

I agree about the RoseArt Crayons. They are way too waxy. I even use Crayola in my coloring book!

 

[Piper]

Prismacolor are absolutely the best colored pencils. My daughter used those in art school and I bought them for my classroom every year after that--worth the money!

 

[Keishag]

I'm not sure if it's been posted yet, but I just got my email this morning that The Children's Place is doing the $10 backpacks again this year. Last year I got my ds one and it lasted all year without a single blemish or tear. I'll definately be getting one more for when that one has had it. They have some cute colors this year too.

 

[Nik's Mom]

At the end of the school year, you can find backpacks on clearance at Land's End. The backpacks will last years. I bought both of my ds's backpacks and lunch box from Lands End last year and they still look brand new. It's too late for this school year, but keep it in mind for next year. For about $15, you will have a back pack that will last a long time.

 

[apnep]

I was painting DD9's room the other day and she was cleaning up some of her things when she pointed out the big zipper pouch she came home with from school containing all her markers and such. She said she could use them again and I was thinking the same thing. They all still work right? Why am I running out to go buy more markers and crayons when the ones I bought the previous year are still good? I'm not buying crayons and such this year. Unless there is something really special on that list, she and other dear children are reusing as much as possible.

Is that such a bad thing?

Angela

 

[LoriNSC]

77 kids http://www.ae.com/77kids/browse/hp_77clearance.jsp?catId=77clearance has a clearance sale with free shipping & use code 32944527 for an additional 20% off. I got my daughter a pair of jeans for $5.73 shipped. Also go through Ebates (not sure if it's on mypoints-I forgot to check) for cash back. I just wished they had clearance jeans in my son's size too.

 

[torinsmom]

ITA about the Rose Art junk. I would never suggest buying them for anything, but particularly crayons and colored pencils.

As to generic markers, Walmart started carrying a brand called Cra Z Art last year. They had a 10 pack of washable markers for $1. We found them to be every bit as good as Crayola (still using the majority of them now, so they last!) and way cheaper. It's rare to find the Crayola Washable markers for $1. If I did, I'd buy Crayola first, but for $1, the Cra Z Art ones are a great buy. Plus they come in several different color assortments, which is nice.

They have a website. http://www.cra-z-art.com/featured.php The only thing of theirs I've tried is the markers, so I can't speak for the colored pencils or anything else. I'm too afraid to get junk and will likely stick with Crayola until someone tells me differently.

ETA- after reading more on the company, I see they are actually Rose Art. So good on the markers, avoid the other stuff.

Cra-z-art is the kind that Walmart has for 70 cents right now! I wasn't sure how they'd be, so I only got 8 packs. Now I'll go back and get more! We always run out of markers halfway through the year and I try not to ask parents for too much.

Our kids' school actually requested Crayola Markers - original colours only. I'm surprised that they can get away with specifying a brand, but I don't mind, because I'd want to buy Crayola anyway after too many bad experiences with off brands.

They can get away with RESQUESTING a brand, but they can't REQUIRE it. It's not that they want you to spend more money; its just that the Crayola pencils last longer. I don't notice as much of a difference for the markers(just don't get the Dollar Tree kind)

The brand of scissors most teachers prefer is Fiskar. They last FOREVER and cut really well. If your child will be reusing them, it makes sense to pay a little more(I think they are usually $2). Our class puts them in a communal place, so we don't request scissors every year.

Marsha

 

[Nik's Mom]

I was painting DD9's room the other day and she was cleaning up some of her things when she pointed out the big zipper pouch she came home with from school containing all her markers and such. She said she could use them again and I was thinking the same thing. They all still work right? Why am I running out to go buy more markers and crayons when the ones I bought the previous year are still good? I'm not buying crayons and such this year. Unless there is something really special on that list, she and other dear children are reusing as much as possible.

Is that such a bad thing?

Angela

Heck no, you are not alone in this! Many of the mandatory supplies that I bought last year were returned to me unused or just slightly used at the end of the year. I will not buy new items if they are still in prime condition. We are such a wasteful society. Why not use something again if it is still in good shape?

 

[Mom2micayla]

Cra-z-art is the kind that Walmart has for 70 cents right now! I wasn't sure how they'd be, so I only got 8 packs. Now I'll go back and get more! We always run out of markers halfway through the year and I try not to ask parents for too much.

They may have been $.70 last year. I just remember them being around $1 and being a steal for washable markers. We've been very happy with them and as soon as my Wal-Mart puts out some supplies, I'll be stocking up big time here. I have 4 kids who are all very into coloring and art, and we use them constantly throughout the year. They have lasted a very long time. I've found I throw more away because they left the caps off than them running out of color. So at $.70, I'll be stocking up. I always send extra into the classrooms anyway, so I'm all about getting a sale.

Does anyone else's list include things like reams of paper, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, etc? Our list gets bigger and bigger each year. I don't mind sending that stuff in so that the teachers aren't buying all that out of pocket themselves, but it's getting very $$ when you have multiple kids in school (3 of my 4 are in school). If we were struggling to make ends meet, I'd be panicking on the size of our lists. (Thus the reason I always send extras in of just about everything, to offset those that just can't afford to send any in).

ETA- ITA. My kids are reusing their scissors, pencil boxes, rulers, etc.

 

[LoriNSC]

I got a few things at Walmart last night. They had just started putting things out.
I got:
3 Crayola crayons .30/each for the 24 pk.
1 Crayola crayons jumbo 8pk. (DD kindergarten-requested by teacher) 2.44
10 folders .15/each
1-1" black economy binder .75
1 Fiskars blunt edge scissors 1.50 (brand requested by teacher)
1 plastic pencil box .60
2 Crayola colored pencils 12 pk. 1.00/each

The notebook paper was .75 but usually goes on sale for around .25-.50/pk so I'll wait.

I also went to Walgreens & got DS the .15 pencils & me the .15 mechanical pencils for my college classes.

I usually stock up on glue sticks, pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper, etc. to do us all year. We have 5 people in our house & we all go to school so I love all the cheap deals.

I got a $40 LL Bean backpack for $19.99 for me on the way too.
I just dread all the clothes/shoes shopping for the kids (not for me-I'm not picky & I have clothes.)

 

[LoriNSC]

They may have been $.70 last year. I just remember them being around $1 and being a steal for washable markers. We've been very happy with them and as soon as my Wal-Mart puts out some supplies, I'll be stocking up big time here. I have 4 kids who are all very into coloring and art, and we use them constantly throughout the year. They have lasted a very long time. I've found I throw more away because they left the caps off than them running out of color. So at $.70, I'll be stocking up. I always send extra into the classrooms anyway, so I'm all about getting a sale.

Does anyone else's list include things like reams of paper, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, etc? Our list gets bigger and bigger each year. I don't mind sending that stuff in so that the teachers aren't buying all that out of pocket themselves, but it's getting very $$ when you have multiple kids in school (3 of my 4 are in school). If we were struggling to make ends meet, I'd be panicking on the size of our lists. (Thus the reason I always send extras in of just about everything, to offset those that just can't afford to send any in).

ETA- ITA. My kids are reusing their scissors, pencil boxes, rulers, etc.

Yes-we have Kleenex, Clorox wipes, ziploc bags & sanitizer. I don't mind sending them in but the teacher always sends notes home throughout the year to please send in more of those, glue sticks, paper, pencils, etc. I always make sure my son is well prepared with his supplies & I don't mind sending extras but I can't afford to supply the whole class. Last year I think I was the only parent sending in stuff. I'm a fulltime nursing student with 3 kids. DH is the only 1 working & money is very tight for us. We always reuse stuff from last year. My son is starting with his backpack from last year. I want to get him a good backpack like Lands End or LL Bean but will wait until they go on clearance. DD can't have a backpack for K5 but I'll get her a good one on clearance for next year.

 

[torinsmom]

They may have been $.70 last year. I just remember them being around $1 and being a steal for washable markers. We've been very happy with them and as soon as my Wal-Mart puts out some supplies, I'll be stocking up big time here. I have 4 kids who are all very into coloring and art, and we use them constantly throughout the year. They have lasted a very long time. I've found I throw more away because they left the caps off than them running out of color. So at $.70, I'll be stocking up. I always send extra into the classrooms anyway, so I'm all about getting a sale.

Does anyone else's list include things like reams of paper, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes, etc? Our list gets bigger and bigger each year. I don't mind sending that stuff in so that the teachers aren't buying all that out of pocket themselves, but it's getting very $$ when you have multiple kids in school (3 of my 4 are in school). If we were struggling to make ends meet, I'd be panicking on the size of our lists. (Thus the reason I always send extras in of just about everything, to offset those that just can't afford to send any in).

ETA- ITA. My kids are reusing their scissors, pencil boxes, rulers, etc.

The school budgets are getting cut so much. I don't think we put the ream of paper on our supply list last year, but it was on our wish list. The kids go through paper in the art center so fast! This year we were not even able to order construction paper or paint through the school.

We asked for clorox wipes and hand sanitizer last year. I think we were the class with the least sick absences. We squirted the kids hands as soon as they came in the door and we washed the tables down with clorox wipes every afternoon.

When my parents come in for open house, I always tell them to get what they can and not to worry about the rest. No child will go without in my class. I buy lots of stuff throughout the year, but I just consider it part of my job.

Marsha

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I was painting DD9's room the other day and she was cleaning up some of her things when she pointed out the big zipper pouch she came home with from school containing all her markers and such. She said she could use them again and I was thinking the same thing. They all still work right? Why am I running out to go buy more markers and crayons when the ones I bought the previous year are still good? I'm not buying crayons and such this year. Unless there is something really special on that list, she and other dear children are reusing as much as possible.

Is that such a bad thing?

Angela

No, it's not a bad thing. The only thing I could think would be, especially with the markers, is if they have been used a year already they may wear out mid-year when things are not on sale.

If it were me, I'd probably go out and get the markers while they are $1 and the crayons while they are 20c, then you'll have replacements on hand mid-year or for next fall.

 

[Mom2micayla]

The school budgets are getting cut so much. I don't think we put the ream of paper on our supply list last year, but it was on our wish list. The kids go through paper in the art center so fast! This year we were not even able to order construction paper or paint through the school.

AZ took a huge hit on their school budgets with all the cuts too, so I can appreciate (and anticipated) an increase in requests for school supplies.

Our lists included 2-3 reams of paper per child, construction paper, colored paper (is that colored printer paper?), 2 packs of Expo markers per child, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, highlighters and paper plates in addition to the normal pencils, markers, scissors, etc. And my kids are only in K, 2 & 3. The reams of paper alone are going to cost me close to $25+. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if I don't spend at least $100 or more on school supplies this year (buying extra, of course). That's not including backpacks, lunchboxes, supply fees, new shoes/clothes, etc. It's expensive being a parent. I'm just feel fortunate that I can afford to buy these supplies when so many are struggling.

 

[torinsmom]

Yes-we have Kleenex, Clorox wipes, ziploc bags & sanitizer. I don't mind sending them in but the teacher always sends notes home throughout the year to please send in more of those, glue sticks, paper, pencils, etc. I always make sure my son is well prepared with his supplies & I don't mind sending extras but I can't afford to supply the whole class. Last year I think I was the only parent sending in stuff. I'm a fulltime nursing student with 3 kids. DH is the only 1 working & money is very tight for us. We always reuse stuff from last year. My son is starting with his backpack from last year. I want to get him a good backpack like Lands End or LL Bean but will wait until they go on clearance. DD can't have a backpack for K5 but I'll get her a good one on clearance for next year.

Does the class have a communal supply or does each child have their own? Also, is it like a wish list request or is she asking everyone to bring in more? We do the communal thing and because so many kids are using the markers, they do run out mid-year. The glue sticks go quickly as well. We sent out a wish list for these items last year, and not one parent sent them in. Neither I or my assistant were in the position to buy supplies at that time, so we just did not have marker coloring for the last 1/3 of the year. We conserved the glue sticks for special projects as well. That's why I'm buying things cheap now, because everyone is struggling, and I don't know if I can even depend on getting supplies at the beginning. The kids don't stop wanting to color or glue when the economy is bad, unfortunately.

Marsha

 

[Mom2micayla]

Forgot to mention that I saw 2 packs of Expo brand markers at Dollar Tree for $1. They were all sorts of color combos in the packs.