DEALS
Back-to-school shopping isn’t just for the kids. If you’re like most teachers, you may be at least partially responsible for stocking up your classroom for the new school year. Especially if you’re going to spend your own money anyway, you should be getting the best deals! Even if you’re one of the lucky ones and your school funds your classroom supply needs, they will appreciate the best deals out there.
Here are a few of the very best places to find deals on school supplies.
Stores
1. Amazon
It seems like you can get anything you can think of on Amazon, and that includes school supplies. Amazon offers regular deals and coupon savings, including savings on certain items if you subscribe to have them delivered on a scheduled basis. Amazon also offers many items in bulk, which can reduce the price per item on things like glue sticks and pencils.
2. Michael’s
When you join the teacher rewards program at Michael’s, you’ll save 15% on all your purchases year-round, including things for the classroom as well as personal purchases. Watch for sales on things like holiday crafts, especially if you’re looking for a specific item to use in your classroom.
3. Target
Target offers sales on school supplies over summer break so teachers can stock up then. If you join Target Circle, you’ll also get a bonus of saving 20% off one purchase of certain school supplies once a year, usually in July or August. This is also a great time to stock up things like pencils, paper, and crayons.
4. Dollar stores
While not everything at dollar stores is worth a dollar, things like pencils, pencil top erasers, staples, safety scissors, and clipboards are easily available year-round and worth the money.
5. Discount School Supply
You can find so many items here that aren’t available in most stores! You’ll also find some of the lowest prices on things you use in your classroom.
6. Five Below
Everything at this store costs less than $5, but you can also stock up on bargains like boxes of crayons and bottles of glue for $1.
7. K12 School Supplies
You can find a huge variety of classroom supplies, often in bulk. The website offers regular sales of up to 80% off so you’re able to stock up when things are at their cheapest.
8. Wholesale School Supplies
Wholesale prices can save you big bucks on things that you always need and tend to run out of quickly, such as pencils and glue.
Wish Lists
1. Amazon
Log in to your account and click on accounts and lists. Create a list and give it a name. Click on “Manage List” to make sure your school and address are correct. Save your changes and then click on “Add to List” and start shopping! You can also organize your list by priority or price. Then you can share your list by copying the link and sending it out or by sending an email sharing how donors can fulfill your wishes.
2. Really Good Stuff
Teachers can create a wish list with a program called Wishing Well. Once you create an account, you can set your campaign goals and browse items on the Really Good Stuff website and add what you need (and want!) to your wish list. Once your wish list is complete, you can share it with whoever you want, and items will be shipped right to you as they are purchased.
3. Teacher Lists
This is a simple way to keep parents notified of what you need in the classroom throughout the year, such as if you run out of tissues in March but still have kids with runny noses. Get started by using the list wizard or by uploading your already-existing list. Once your list is complete, share it with parents. Parents can pledge to donate items right from your list.
4. School Tool Box
This one is like Teacher Lists in that you create an account and then add items to your wish list. Parents can then search for your wish list via the website and donate items right to your classroom.
Other Ways to Keep Supplies Cost-Effective
1. Have a supply exchange
Ask your fellow teachers to collect all the supplies they won’t use and trade among yourselves.
2. Hold a supply drive
Advertise the supplies you and your school need and set up a time for parents and community members to drop off donations.
3. Check thrift stores
While you might not be able to find pencils and crayons, you can often find storage bins, craft supplies, and books that you might need for your classroom.
These places all offer deals at different times of the year, and you can get even more savings by joining teacher rewards programs or by asking stores about teacher discounts. This can help you save just a bit more on top of finding the best deals out there.
