6 Money Saving Tips For Back To School Shopping Season
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Looking for the best money-saving tips this back-to-school season? The truth is that you don’t have to break the bank when it comes to back-to-school shopping and today we will help you with these money-saving tips for back-to-school season.
After 2020, Back to school shopping is making a comeback! And with more dollars to spend with many Americans receiving the newly expanded child tax credit starting July 15, you bet there will be an increase in spending.
Mastercard estimates overall retail sales from July to mid-September will climb more than 5% over the same period last year and nearly 7% over 2019. Most of that spending growth can be attributed to outfitting those other growing things — kids.
Marketplace.com
However, don’t let the numbers fool you because back-to-school shopping season is a significant expense for some families. Americans spend billions of dollars back to school alone as you read above. Schools are requiring more than just pencils, pens, and papers; they need electronics that can bring the cost of back to school up.
Add back to school clothing, sports, and lunch, and we are ready to cry as we see our hard earned money go. Finding ways to save money is essential, I know it is for me, during this back to school season.
I have gathered some of the best money saving tips to help you save money this back to school season that are painless and easy to do!
The Best Money Saving Tips For Back To School Season
Shop during Tax-Free Days
If you are lucky enough to live in a state that offers Tax-Free Days, then please take advantage of those days. If you add all the costs of taxes alone, you will see the benefits of how much money you are saving during back-to-school shopping.
However, some states have specific rules and regulations you must follow so, please make sure you check up with your state. I am trying to gather all the information for you below with the link to each state to help you out.
2021 Sale Tax Holiday
| State | Items Included | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| STATE | ITEMS INCLUDED | DATES |
| Alabama | clothing, computers, school supplies –Download PDF | July 16-18, 2021 |
| Mississippi | clothing & footwear, school supplies – Download PFD | July 30-31, 2021 |
| Tennessee | clothing, school supplies – $100 or less Computers – $1500 or less | July 30- August 1, 2021 |
| Florida | apparel – $60 or less per item computers – $1000 or less school supplies – $15 or less Download PDF | July 31 – August 9, 2021 |
| Ohio | clothing – $75 or less per item school supplies – $20 or less per item. school instructional materials -$20 or less per item | August 6-8, 2021 |
| Virginia | school supplies – $20 or less per item clothing and footwear – $100 or less per item | August 2-4, 2019 |
| South Carolina | clothing, accessories, and shoes to school supplies, backpacks, and computers | August 6-8, 2021 |
| Oklahoma | clothing that is under $100 | August 6-8, 2021 |
| New Mexico | clothing – less than $100 per item school supplies – less than $30 per item computers – $1,000 or less per item Download PDF | August 6-8, 2021 |
| Missouri | Clothing and shoes – $100 or less per item. School supplies – $50 or less per purchase | August 6-8, 2021 |
| Iowa | clothing and footwear – less than $100 per item | August 6-7, 2021 |
| Arkansas | clothing and footwear – less than $100 per item accessories – less than $50 per item school supplies computers and electronic devices Download PDF | August 7-8, 2021 |
| Texas | clothing and shoes – less than $100 per item school supplies – less than $100 per item | August 6-8, 2021 |
| Maryland | clothing and footwear – $100 or less per item Bookbags and backpacks – the first $40 is tax-free Download PDF | August 8-14, 2021 |
| Connecticut | clothing & footwear – $100 or less per item | August 15-21, 2021 |
| Massachusetts | specific items less than $2,500 | August 14-15, 2021 |
Shop Sales
Each week stores will have a weekly sale available with great deals. Looking at weekly sale ads is a great way to see if the items you need will be on sale.
If you don’t want to visit tons of stores each week, you can always check with your local store to see if they compare prices with local competitors.
What retailers am I referring to? Retailers like Wal-mart, Target, Office Max/Depot, Staples, and so much more are the places to get your children’s back-to-school merchandise.
Use Coupons
The fact is that coupons save you money. Whether you are using manufacturer coupons or store coupons you can score big savings when you use coupons.
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Use Rebate Apps
If you have a smartphone or tablet, you might be able to use rebates apps that will give you a rebate on selected merchandise. These apps are not only for groceries but for back to school as well. Take advantage of these BTS promotions to save money.
There are many rebate apps out there, below is a list of my favorites and must-have apps that will help you earn money.
- Ibotta
- Checkout 51
- Shopkick
- Fetch Rewards (use code DK24W to earn 2,000 points)
Buy Used
If you are tight on money why not buy used clothing. Many stores sell gently used clothes that are in great condition and even online stores like ThredUp sell amazing used clothing at a great price.
Shop Online
Shopping online is amazing and saves you time and money. Again, with back to school season full force, you can score great savings on BTS merchandise. You also can score big when you use sites that pay you to shop.
When you go through third-party sites, like Rakuten or Swagbuck, you can get rebates as well. Shopping online can save you more money than going to the store. Recently, many online sites do have groceries available, and you can score additional savings.
You can save big this back to school season by following these simple steps. Remember to also have a back to school budget set as well as a back to school list ready when you head out to shopping this back to school season.
For more Back To School, Saving Guide click here to read a helpful post on how to make this back to school season a financially stress one!
Its great tips. I love saving money, my son was schooling next year. these tips was really helpful to all mom’s thanks for sharing your tips.
Anytime! And thank you for taking the time to comment, Nikki!
I miss tax free days and all the sales that came along with them! The one bummer about living in a state where clothes and food are tax free year round. 🙂
Me too Femme, me too 🙁 I remember it was like Christmas when I worked retail.
I love Ibotta – it’s so easy to use. I forget to clip actual coupons all the time, so at least I can still check out what Ibotta has coupons for once I’m in the store.
I love Ibotta too! I think out of all the apps it is the best to get cash and when you have a team it’s even better.
Great tips! I don’t use any rebate apps but I’m seriously considering signing up for some because I see them recommended everywhere.
Ibotta is so simple and a good way to earn extra cash. What I love is that its items we buy like fruits, and milk and such. You should give it a try not cutting coupons at all.
I”m always too impatient when school supplies come out primarily because if you don’t hurry and get them right then and there, they’re gone! And if it’s one thing I hate is searching for specific colored folders at the last minute. I typically will spend about $80 a kid on supplies alone. #SimplySundays
I was surprised when I received my nephew’s school list and I had to sit and find 4 folders of this color and 4 of this one. I never received such a long and detailed school list ever. Thank you for stopping by.
thank you for sharing a tips! i usually grab for the sales here in our place, and using a coupon for discounts..and sometimes i use to buy in a bulk for a less amount of prize then i will store it for the next school year..
Great advice Leny! I only had one child going to school and I would go nuts spending money because he deals were so good. 🙂