Back to School Saving Tips

August 16, 2012 by Deal Pro

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It’s the back to school season. Summer is almost over and you are getting ready to shop. Money is tight and you are not sure your budget will carry you. You need to get:

  • books
  • backpacks
  • shoes
  • clothing
  • electronics

Now there are some items you have to get and you can’t do much about it but have you considered that there might be some items you can get for a fraction of the cost or recycle? Here is how.

Books

The textbooks we use change every year. It is rare that a child uses the same textbooks as they advance through grades. There are a few ways to save on these books by:

  1. Utilizing a library system or book service - This way you can borrow from the library or go there to study and pay nothing. Of course there are some books that won’t be there. But good libraries come with a reference section and most likely you will find books on the same subjects you are learning, if not the same exact texts.
  2. Use a book rental service - You can get the books you need for just a fraction of the cost for new book and you return them when you are done. This saves money and also reduce clutter of unused books after the child is finished with it. You also don’t have to worry about having a book until it has lost its dollar value (outdated).
  3. Buy used books. Yes a child may have used the same books you are looking to buy and in some cases they are still in great condition.
  4. Sell the books you already have that you don’t need and use the funds to purchase the new books.

Bags and Packs

Buying new stuff every year can be daunting and expensive. If you child is off to school for the first time then you know it’s compulsory to purchase certain items. Some of these items will include lunch boxes, backpacks, girl purses, and other bags and boxes that they may need.

Why not recycle the old back pack by adding

  • bling
  • stickers
  • new straps
  • a new zipper
  • sew on an extra pouch/pocket on the outside
  • glue or sew on a small teddy bear on the outside it it’s a girl (or her favourite cartoon/fairytale icon)
  • If it a boy he will appreciate stuff like race car stickers, action figures, comic and so forth.
  • If it’s a cloth bag consider changing the colour first by dyeing it first.
  • Do the same with the lunch boxes as well

Purses

Girls like their little purses for their allowances and lip gloss so here is an idea.

  1. Get a stuffed toy, you may already have one lying around
  2. you will need bling, a zipper, cloth to make a pouch that can fit into the toy, needle and thread, one 2×9 inch strip of denim folded into to make a 1×9 inch strap.
  3. Open the back of the toy (should be easy if there is a stitching)
  4. Remove some of the stuffing, leaving enough to allow it to still look like a toy.
  5. Fit the cloth inside the hole and measure a pouch with an extra 2 inches to spare
  6. Cut away any excess material
  7. Stitch the pouch and leave the opening for the zipper
  8. Place the pouch inside the stuffed toy and stitch around the opening. Make sure to fold under the edge (about ⅛ to 1/10 of an inch) of the stuffed toy. That way the ends of the material will be inside of the bag and not showing.
  9. Next you place your zipper under the fold and stitch right around ensuring you haven’t stitched across the zipper section. Close any gaps that may remain.
  10. Bling your bag for your girl and surprise her.

So back to school don’t have to be daunting, you can save a few bucks and still be prepared.

Posted in Buying Guide, Saving Tips, Seasonal Sales |