Store shelves are overflowing with paper, pencils, and notebooks. The aisles are teeming with parents who are trying to fulfill long lists of school supplies. This sounds like a scene I’d like to avoid! I won’t avoid it entirely, though.
I have minimal need for school supplies because my kids are young and we homeschool the only one who is old enough for school. However, during the back-to-school season there are lots of sales on everyday items that also constitute school supplies. If you’ve already finished your back-to-school shopping or, like me, you don’t really need to purchase school supplies, you still might want to check out the sales! Over the last few years, I’ve seen all of the following on sale at some point during the back-to-school season.
Everyday items on sale during back-to-school sales
- Cleaning wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Facial tissues
- Backpacks, computer bags, and laptop sleeves
- Office supplies (transparent tape, staples, pens, permanent markers, etc.)
- Calendars and planners
- Computers and printers
- Computer software
- Printer ink and paper
- Batteries
- Lunch bags and boxes, thermoses, and food storage containers
- Breakfast foods (eggs, milk, cold cereals, cereal bars, frozen breakfast sandwiches, etc.)
- Lunch and snack foods (juice boxes, snack crackers, lunch meat, sliced cheese, etc.)
- Back-to-college supplies (sheets and bedspreads, small appliances, small sets of dishes, shower caddies, toilet paper, brooms/mops and cleaning products, etc.)
Even if you don’t need any of these items, you might be able to take advantage of services that are offered at discounted prices by local businesses. For example, a local barber might offer discounted haircuts or a medical clinic might offer low-cost sports physicals. Additionally, some stores offer sales that apply to all of their merchandise. For example, one might offer $10 off a purchase of $40, even if you aren’t purchasing school supplies!
What has been your experience with back-to-school sales? What everyday items have you found at good prices?
