Where are you finding your school supplies?

**imagine** · 07-18-2011, 11:34 AM

Where are you finding your school supplies?
Any good deals?

Walmart in the past we found was the best place to get supplies. This year I find their selection small and prices higher.

We have found the drug store and the local grocery store to have the best price on school supplies so far.

Our staples has a good selection especially for those hard to find things or strange things like Buddy found this strange contraption
Big Mouth Backpack Filer

Since the high schoolers lockers are to small they live out of their backpack and this is what he dreamed up. It was on the expensive side to me but it was amazing what he thought up actually existed and well worth the price if it keeps him organized and getting assignments turned in on time.

Where are you finding your supplies and good deals?

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-18-2011, 12:09 PM

I am sticking to Target unless they don't have something I need. Last year, it worked since DD is a preschooler and had pretty simple supply needs. The only thing I had to "search" for was a specific combo of PlayDoh they requested and that just involved a quick trip to the dreaded Walmart.

We don't have Staples here, but I hear they have great deals. As she gets older, obviously my strategy may change.

**miss_cas** · 07-18-2011, 12:33 PM

The local mom & pop grocery has notebooks and folders for 15 cents each. Buy a whole years worth even if you have to go back a few times during the week to buy the maximum number allowable.

The dollar stores have protractors, compasses, graph paper, homework planners, pens/pencils, crayons, markers for a fixed price if you can't find these items cheaper elsewhere. They sell calculators too but I'm not sure about the quality. The dollar stores have the required hand sanitizer, wipes and kleenex too.

All this stuff is marked down the half-price the week school starts.

Ask the clerk at the thrift store which days they have sales and shop accordingly. You can pay $1.50 an item during these times. It's fine for the kids to start school wearing their summer wear unless it's a uniform-manditory situation. It's warm in some climates well into October. Purchase clothing as you an afford it. Three pairs of jeans will do most kids too.

Buy good quality backpacks and lunch boxes to be used for a few years. Fix little holes before they cause a total tear out.

**Neeley** · 07-18-2011, 12:41 PM

Our school supply list is very small now that DS is in high school and DD is in college.

DD's only supplies are paper for her printer, writing utensils, and binders. She lives in the dorms on campus and can get any other incidentals from the bookstore or coffee shop on campus. Or, she can let me know and I will ship her what she cannot get on campus.

DS attends a private school. The only supplies the students need are 7 binders, paper and writing utensils.

Both kids will only use mechanical pencils with 7mm lead. Walgreen's has been the best place for me to get them over the years. They run a sale 5/$0.19. I'll buy about a hundred of them.

Last year I bought about a hundred pens for $0.10 each and still have plenty for them.

CVS will run a special on notebook paper soon and I will get around 20-25 packs, usually for around $0.25-$0.50/pack.

I am thankful we are past the days of glue sticks, crayons, pencil boxes and scissors.

We do get them a new back pack every year. DS likes the NorthFace ones and they hold up really well. DD always has chosen a JanSport Big Pack. But, this year she said she may go with a Northface or UnderArmour.

**bumplett** · 07-18-2011, 01:00 PM

To escape going from store to store this year, I got everything from Staples.

I did splurge and spend $12 on a locker organization pack for big J, it has a locker shelf, magnetic pen/pencil holder, small dry erase board & magnets.

We got everything they needed in one trip - so we're all done.

**imagine** · 07-18-2011, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

To escape going from store to store this year, I got everything from Staples.

I did splurge and spend $12 on a locker organization pack for big J, it has a locker shelf, magnetic pen/pencil holder, small dry erase board & magnets.

We got everything they needed in one trip - so we're all done.

I splurged this year and let
Little Miss get the glittery binder and sparkly scissors

I remember my mom letting me pick out fancy picture pencils the store had them in a pick and bag your own like the bin candy store it was great fun and I loved using the pencils at school

So when Little Miss asked for the sparkle I could not resist saying yes and we spurged. The difference was about the price of a discount soda but I am sure the joy will last longer

**shoiji** · 07-18-2011, 02:53 PM

CVS currently is running a 2/$1 sale on paper mate 10 pack of pens. Also, Shoprite has one subject wide ruled spiral notebooks for 19 cents. Purchased 3. Also Shoprite is selling 1 package of 10 No. 2 pencils for 50 cents. I purchased a package. For some unknown reason I loose pens and pencils all the time. The notebooks will be good to have around in case I need one. Definately am enjoying saving money and building up a stockpile on these items.

**mauimagic** · 07-18-2011, 03:02 PM

I purchase supplies for my preschool at Walgreens, Office Max and Walmart - picking the best prices at each store. Also pick up stocking stuffers at the same time.

**bumplett** · 07-18-2011, 03:07 PM

so I'm trying to come up with a teacher gift for the first week. Any ideas??

She's female, she's about 25ish, and that's about all I know so far.

**lisaflex** · 07-18-2011, 06:31 PM

nowhere! i ordered online and it will be delivered to our door! would not have been any cheaper if i shopped for it w/ the price of gas, etc.....so, i did it the easy way! smiles....other than that, i have to bring in gallon ziploc bags (which i already have tons of) and a roll of paper towel (which i have lots of already too) earbuds which we have had for the past three years and thats it!

other than new school clothing....going to start that tomorrow. have to go thru the SA and GW finds that i already have purchased and see what else we need.

**TigerGirl1226** · 07-18-2011, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

so I'm trying to come up with a teacher gift for the first week. Any ideas??

She's female, she's about 25ish, and that's about all I know so far.

A gift card?

**McD** · 07-18-2011, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

so I'm trying to come up with a teacher gift for the first week. Any ideas??

She's female, she's about 25ish, and that's about all I know so far.

Wait. What?

Is this normal? Seriously, people give teachers gifts for starting school??

**imagine** · 07-18-2011, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by McD

Wait. What?

Is this normal? Seriously, people give teachers gifts for starting school??

It is not customary where I taught or at my children's schools. However because I was a teacher, I do tend to bring my children's teachers an extra school supply that teachers normally end buying for their class like extra boxes of healthy snacks or zip lock bags and my favorite a box of good quality soft tissue for when the class has red sore noses from colds. The teachers normally find any one of these gestures kind and thoughtful and they are thankful.

I have seen other former teachers give their children teachers things like bath and body anti bacterial soap. They tend to give this a Christmas a lot also.