Five Ways to Save on Back to School Shopping

With a new school year right around the corner, it’s time to start stocking up on all the essentials. 

But between clothes, shoes, pencils, and notebooks, those shopping trips can really add up.  The good news is, there are plenty of easy ways to save on these necessary expenses. 

Here, we’ve got five great money-saving strategies to get you through the back to school season without breaking the bank.

Take Advantage of Tax Breaks:  An easy way to save 6 percent on back to school supplies is to shop during Florida’s sales tax holiday weekend. From Friday, August 12 until Sunday, August 14, no sales tax will be collected on clothing, footwear, and certain school supplies. But remember, there are restrictions, so shop smart. For example, the tax exemption is limited to clothes and shoes selling for $75 or less and school supplies selling for $15 or less, so you might not save money on those name-brand sneakers or state of the art scientific calculator.  To take full advantage of the tax break, check out retailers like and for school supplies, and discount clothing stores like , where most items in the store qualify for the exemption.

Shop the Sales:  Most clothing retailers offer some kind of sale incentive for the back to school rush, and this can be a great way to replenish your kid’s wardrobe without going overboard.  Check your newspaper for information on upcoming sales, and give any postcards you receive in the mail from retailers a second look before tossing them in the trash.  Many stores, like Old Navy, offer “buy two get the third free” deals on anything in the store, which can be a lifesaver for multi-kid families, and provide the perfect opportunity to stock up on every day essentials like T-shirts and tanks.

Buy in Bulk:  You probably know by now that buying groceries and household items in bulk is a great way to save.  Well, the same is true for school supplies!  Stores like and Staples offer big discounts when buying multiples, especially paper, notebooks, and folders.  This is a great savings strategy for those tried-and-true, need them every year staples.  You can also split the cost of an item between a few parents to avoid buying more than you need and still cash in on the deal.

Keep Track of Coupons:  This seems like a no-brainer, but all too often we get coupons in the mail and throw them away without thinking or lose track of them.  But many stores offer excellent deals that are only available through coupons, so it’s important to hang on to them.  And if you’re not already on a store’s mailing list, sign up!  , for example, regularly mails coupons worth 20 percent off your entire purchase (that can mean big savings for a college-bound kid), and JCPenney sends customers 15 percent off all-day passes.  Another great tip: If you suspect a store has a coupon offer going on, ask a sales associate if you can receive the discount.  Many times they will honor the sale, sans coupon.

Shop Secondhand:  Most parents know that the lifespan of clothing and shoes for kids is limited—they outgrow them, damage them, or simply move on to the next “cool” trend.  That’s why shopping secondhand is perfect for back to school.  You can get your kids what they need (and want) now, and still have money left over when they need new clothes down the road.  is a great place to take your teen, with hundreds of name brand items at seriously discounted prices.  For younger kids, check out kid’s consignment shops like Wee Peeps Kid's Resale Boutique and .