Back-to-school shopping can sneak up on families fast, with the cost of supplies, clothes, shoes, tech, lunches, fees, and you name it. Discover the secret to saving big.
Pepaw knows the secret to back-to-school shopping tips that keep it simple and affordable: plan smart, shop early, and skip anything that doesn’t truly earn its place in the backpack. With Pepaw’s folksy, practical approach, you’ll get the essentials without blowing your late-summer budget.
Start With a Master List (Not the Store Displays)
Pepaw doesn’t let the colorful aisles tell him what to buy. He starts by gathering all the school supply lists, checking what’s left over from the previous year, and compiling a single master list. This prevents you from buying multiple items you already have and protects you from impulse buys that creep into your cart.
He sorts supplies into three groups: must-haves, nice-to-haves, and wait-and-sees. Many teachers add items later, so Pepaw avoids guessing and wasting money upfront. Sticking to the essentials saves a significant amount of money, especially for families purchasing supplies for multiple children.
Pepaw always says, “A good list saves you from a bad receipt.”
Check out Pepaw’s Buying Guide for Budget-Friendly Laptops & Tablets before making any big tech purchases.
Shop the Sales Cycle: July to September
Pepaw pays attention to timing. Back-to-school deals start earlier every year, with July and August offering the steepest discounts on notebooks, crayons, pencils, folders, and glue. Large retailers often feature week-long “loss leaders,” which are items sold at absurdly low prices to get customers through the door. Pepaw grabs these quickly before they sell out.
He knows September is the golden month for apparel. Once school starts, stores mark down clothing, shoes, and backpacks to clear inventory. Pepaw buys basics early but waits for September to stock up on wardrobe staples.
Shopping in phases keeps stress low and savings high.
To spot the best clearance drops, explore Pepaw’s Favorite Stores for Hidden Clearance Finds.
Compare Prices Across Stores and Online
Pepaw never assumes one store has the best deals on everything. He compares weekly ads from Walmart, Target, dollar stores, and office supply chains. Some stores discount pens and notebooks, while others slash prices on backpacks and lunch containers.
He also checks price-matching policies. Many retailers match competitor prices if you show the ad, which means you can shop in one place while still capturing the best deals from several.
Online shopping is also part of Pepaw’s strategy. Retailers sometimes offer discounts on school bundles or multi-packs that are significantly more expensive in-store. Pepaw uses browser extensions to check price history before hitting “buy.”
Saving a few dollars per item adds up mighty fast.
To get the best deal every time, see Pepaw’s Checklist for Comparing Online Deals Like a Pro.
Reuse, Repurpose, and Refresh Before Buying New
Pepaw knows kids love new supplies, but he always checks what can be reused from previous years. Scissors, binders, rulers, pencil boxes, calculators, and even lightly used notebooks often have plenty of life left in them. A fresh label or sticker can make them feel new again.
He also refreshes last year’s backpack by giving it a thorough wash and replacing worn zipper pulls rather than buying brand-new ones. Lunch boxes clean up nicely with a little scrubbing, and reusable containers last for years.
Pepaw calls this “back-to-school cleaning instead of back-to-school spending.”
See Pepaw’s Monthly Markdown Calendar: When to Buy What to plan purchases year-round.
Shop Clearance Corners and Off-Season for Bonus Savings
Once the main rush ends, Pepaw checks the clearance sections, both online and in-store. Items like planners, locker décor, water bottles, insulated lunch bags, and backpacks drop to half price or better.
He also buys certain supplies off-season: winter for tech accessories, spring for shoes, and early summer for clothing basics. These categories follow their own markdown calendars, so Pepaw times his purchases to stretch every dollar.
For families on tight budgets, these clearance strategies make school shopping manageable year-round.
