You Don't Have To Be A Student To Take Advantage of the Back-to-School Deals

My back-to-school bargains from last year:



As depressing as it might be, the back-to-school season will soon be upon us. As much as I want summer to linger on as long as possible, I also don't want to miss out on all of the loss leaders that stores will be throwing at us over the next four to six weeks.

This is the time of year to get some amazing deals on back-to-school supplies, but you don't have to be a student to take advantage of the deals. Depending on the item and store, the deals range from FREE to pennies of the original price. The stores lure you in with their loss-leader items, like Staples 1 cent and 25 cent deals in Sunday's paper. Stores hope that you come in to buy their other products, but if you stick to your list you hopefully won't get sucked in.

The stores are also fighting for your dollars, so check all of the flyers to determine what stores have the best price for your needs. Look for great deals in CVS, Rite-Aid, Staples, Office Max, Target, Kmart, Toys-R-Us, to name a few.

My other piece of advice to you is to get to the stores early, because the loss-leader items sell out very quickly and there are usually limits on the amount you can buy.

Other uses for back-to-school supplies:

1. Stock up on supplies for the home office. In Sunday's paper there were great deals on office supplies such as pens, staplers, notebooks, post-its, computer paper among other items.

2. Stock up for birthday or Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. My girls love to draw and craft. At this time of year, I can find crayons, glue, construction paper and other craft items at very cheap prices and great for their Christmas stockings.

3. Consider donating school supplies to womens' shelters, local schools, children's hospitals, libraries, churches. I am sure they would appreciate your generosity.

4. Battle the boredom blues. I have a box of new supplies that I bring out when I hear, "I'm bored". Nothing cures the boredom blues like a new bottle of Elmer's glue and construction paper. My daughter is content for at least 2 hours.

5. Party favors for birthday, Halloween or other holiday parties. I bought some inexpensive pencil boxes a few years ago and stuffed with crayons, glue stick, scissors for birthday party favors.

One thing to remember is if you aren't going to use the 25 cent box of paper clips, then it just becomes clutter and it's probably best that you just stay home.

Are you going to take advantage of the back to school bargains?

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