Back to School Bargain Thread

[IDoDis]

I saw a good deal on some sturdy lunch boxes at Costco, but was wondering if kids in middle school actually use lunch boxes. DD just finished mid-school and never took a lunchbox. She just had me put her things in a plastic grocery bag and her sandwich went in a rubbermaid container. She said there was no room in her backpack for a lunchbox and NOBODY used them in mid school.

Well, DS is now starting mid school and asked for a lunchbox he saw when we were at Costco yesterday, but I don't want it to go unused if he finds out that what DD said is true.

Anyone else care to comment?

 

[Dislaney4n6]

Not sure if someone already posted this deal b/c I didn't scroll through all 6 pages... BUT walgreens has 10pk #2 yellow pencils, 5 pack Papermate mechanical pencils, and 10 pk ballpoint papermate pens for $0.19 each. This was the ad for Central NJ. Worth checking out.

 

[snoopybabe]

I saw a good deal on some sturdy lunch boxes at Costco, but was wondering if kids in middle school actually use lunch boxes. DD just finished mid-school and never took a lunchbox. She just had me put her things in a plastic grocery bag and her sandwich went in a rubbermaid container. She said there was no room in her backpack for a lunchbox and NOBODY used them in mid school.

Well, DS is now starting mid school and asked for a lunchbox he saw when we were at Costco yesterday, but I don't want it to go unused if he finds out that what DD said is true.

Anyone else care to comment?

DD just graduated from HS & used a LL Bean lunch box through middle school & HS. The same one lasted the whole time. She just carried it separately from her book bag (it was too full). I asked DD & she said some had lunch boxes, some bags, & some bought.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Walmart was setting up today and the markers were all 1.00 each - there were a lot of other things in there that were good deals - my DD8 was so excited - she loves back to school supplies!!

 

[dd50]

I saw a good deal on some sturdy lunch boxes at Costco, but was wondering if kids in middle school actually use lunch boxes. DD just finished mid-school and never took a lunchbox. She just had me put her things in a plastic grocery bag and her sandwich went in a rubbermaid container. She said there was no room in her backpack for a lunchbox and NOBODY used them in mid school.

Well, DS is now starting mid school and asked for a lunchbox he saw when we were at Costco yesterday, but I don't want it to go unused if he finds out that what DD said is true.

Anyone else care to comment?

My girls would not use them in middle school as "it wasn't cool". One did use one of those lunch bag things tho. From what I hear it isn't cool to bring lunch either but my DD does at times because the school lunch isn't good.

 

[rszdtrvl]

We went to Walmart today (DS had a choice of $10 for fireworks or towards his video game fund, and he was only $10 short from his video game so he chose game fund) to get a video game, and I checked out the school supplies.

Ended up buying a 5-star 5 subject notebook for $4, 4 composition books for $.25 each, 1 pack of graph paper (forgot how much....) and 10 notebooks (1 subject) for $.15 each.

The only thing my son needs now is a huge zippered binder and I buy that from Amazon.com (the only place that has the 4-inch zippered binder at a good price - I sew it up before it can fall apart, as it is not very well made) and he is good to go. I have tons of pencils leftover from after Halloween sales, and still have tons of notebook paper from years past. Oh, and I will order a small pack of highlighters for him also, to hit the $25 mark to get free shipping.

 

[angwill]

Office max has periodic deals on all sizes of 3 ring binders where it will be B1G1free and they are the good ones. I found for my DS if I bought the cheapo $2 binder the rings would bend out of place and the paper wouldn't stay in. I now buy the better ones where there is a post that goes in the whole of the other ring and haven't had problems with them bending out of shape.

The kids do bring lunch boxes for middle and high school but I am sure some don't feel it is cool and think it will make them fit in better. If your son wants one then I would buy it but tell him he is obligated to use it all year then.

 

[Piper]

I also encourage you to buy extra scissors, crayons, glue, pens and pencils, paper, etc. and set up an "office" space for your child at home. The space could be in the child's room, the dining table, an area in the den--doesn't matter where. Just have a "home" for the supplies--where they can be found every time they are needed and a comfortable area in which to work.

Then set up a place for the backpack to "live." Homework goes in the backpack as soon as it is finished and checked......backpack goes in its "home" ready to be grabbed when leaving.

Have your child choose what they are to wear the next day and lay out clothes, shoes, socks, hair bows (if needed) ready to put on in the morning. Having this routine for the evning will make mornings go so much smoother. This helps you and your child start the day on a much more relaxed note than if you were running around looking for that lost shoe! (I know from experience!)

 

[KY*Figment]

I was in Wal-mart on 7-2 and they were putting out their school supplies. My kids have gone to private schools in the past so their school supply list was HUGE. This year because of the economy and a few other reasons we decided to try out public. Their list is about 1/2 of private's list. My kids got out of school on June 1st and school doesn't start until Aug 11th. I got my youngest 5 outfits to start the school year out last weekend and 3 so far for my oldest. My kids wore uniforms last year so they have very little regular clothes other than what they wear to daycamp and church. They had to have clothes. I still plan to get two more outfits for my oldest and shoes/ socks/ underwear for both of them. Last week I was in Kohl's for 2 hours w/ them picking out clothes and trying them on.

 

[maggiew]

Last night my Walgreens had a whole aisle empty with some brown boxes sitting nearby. I assume that is where the school supplies will be going.

Maggie

 

[caravarela]

My DD is entering kindergarten this fall, so I'm new to this whole list thing. The school hasn't sent a list (or even info about whether she'll be AM or PM), but I'd like to take advantage of the sales if possible.

What kinds of items are typically on "the list" for kindergarteners or does it vary too dramatically to anticipate?

Thanks.

Here's my son's kindy list:

1 plastic pocket folder with brads
1 box baby wipes
2 boxes 24 ct crayons
5 glue sticks
1" binder (2 if he has a certain teacher, we don't know yet)
1 box Ziplock sandwich bags
Backpack with name
Underwear, socks, shirt, pants to keep at school

Crayons, glue sticks, scissors, and pencils for home

 

[eatatmidnight]

Well I'm jumping on this thread. I love having the kids home in the summer. It is the best weeks of the whole year. But with 1 MS, 1 HS and 1 college student, I need the bargains. The lists seem to get very specialized from Middle School on. It seems harder to find those bargains.

 

[momoftwins]

With DD and DS going into 9th grade I will surely need any discounts I can find.

 

[rszdtrvl]

My son's Middle School supply list :

3-ring binder - 3" size, or 2- 2" binders
Tabbed subject dividers (6)
Zipper pouch for pencils
Pens - black or blue (2 or more)
Pencils
College-rule notebook paper
Composition book (100 sheets)
3-pronged folder with pockets (for reports)
Calcuator

Suggested :
Post-it notes 3x3 size
Highlighters (3 colors)
Colored Pencils (12 pk)

He also has a PE uniform, but we just ordered the one through the school. We got a shirt, shorts, and bag for $18.

We order him this 3-ring binder from Amazon.com :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GIP20S/ref=ord_cart_shr?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

As long as you sew or use gorilla glue along the zipper area on the file folder, it won't come apart (we learned this with his last notebook). And reinforcing the seam on the main zipper helps a lot too. I use upholstery thread.

Might seem like a lot of work for a binder, but the 4" binder is hard to come by for under $50, and after I tinkered with his last year, it lasted the entire school year. Plus, it has the built in binder area, and TONS of room inside! He really liked his binder and got a lot of comments about it last year.

 

[PrincessMomofTwo]

First child going to kindergarten this year. I can't believe the huge list of supplies I have to buy. Definitely would like to know about some good deals!

 

[torinsmom]

They had Crayola crayons--24 pk-- for 25 cents at WM today and another brand(maybe RoseArt) for 20 cents. They also had marker for 70 cents(an off brand) and Crayola markers for $1. Glue sticks were 25 cents for a 2 pack.

If you're looking at a school's supply list, just be aware that some teachers are not allowed to put out their own list for the stores(it MAY be on the website though). In my case, we had to come up with a generic list that all the K teachers agreed to. There are things on the list that I don't need, like snack size ziplocs and large crayons. The general list also has scissors on it, and we have lots of scissors already. I hate to think that parents are wasting their money! Last year, I took a bagful of supplies to Walmart and got the things we needed more of.

Also, when you are buying cheap crayons, markers, etc., don't forget programs like Operation Christmas Child. I picked up 20 boxes of crayons for that today.

Marsha

 

[mum4jenn]

Oh and for the Moms buyiny for the first time....Do NOT buy the Roseart crap. The quality is horrible and the Crayola is only a little more but WELL worth it.

 

[torinsmom]

Oh and for the Moms buyiny for the first time....Do NOT buy the Roseart crap. The quality is horrible and the Crayola is only a little more but WELL worth it.

True, especially with the crayons and colored pencils. The markers I don't tell much difference. And definitely avoid the Dollar Tree colored pencils! They are just totally worthless.

Marsha

 

[Mom2micayla]

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.

 

[Leajess99]

Our walmart only had 1 subject 5 star notebooks out and the shelf tag below said 50 cents. They rang up at $2.00 and the cashier got snotty when I questioned it so I did not get them and did contact Corporate. We start school in less than a month here and I have a 2nd grader, 7th grader, and a Senior. My mom and I both stock up on supplies and I always buy extras for my youngest since she is still in elementary school and I know that not everyone provides supplies plus they go through them. My youngest's teacher had the supplies where the kids could get them after asking if they needed them.