School Supplies Primer

School supplies can be a big pain to gather without spending an arm and a leg, so I thought I would share my methods. I've discussed the school supplies deals previously, mentioning Target and Staples as my favorite places for shopping.  We're lucky this year, in that the list isn't quite as extensive and detailed as it was for kindergarten.

Here's our list for this year, and I'll post how I've gone about it.

• Backpack - we still have a good one, but Staples is doing them free after rewards starting SUNDAY!  If you need one, definitely take advantage of this deal.
• Composition notebook - these are 25 cents each at Target this week.
• Ticonderoga wooden pencils - I see they are $1.50 for 12 at Target, but I am waiting this one out for a better deal.
• Glue stick - Target has 2 Elmer's glue sticks for 25 cents this week.  
• 3-Ring binder, 2 inch size - we're going all out for this, as soon as we can find a fancy notebook that size.  Every once in a while, you have to splurge.
• Pencil end erasers - we got a package with 16 pencil toppers and a lucky pink eraser for 50 cents at (you guessed it!) Target.
• Tissues - a good bargain hunter has these in their stockpile.  :)
• Colored pencils - Crayola were $1 at Kmart, but Target price matches now.
• Thin markers - again, Crayola $1 at Kmart, but price-matched at Target.
• Thick markers - same deal, same Crayola
• Yellow highlighter - 9 cents at Walgreens this week.
• Thin black Sharpie - we got a multi-pack of different colors at Walgreens for $3.99, so we get to keep the colored ones for our craft projects here.
• Thick black Sharpie - same price, same deal.
• Plastic folder with prongs and pockets - we haven't purchased this yet, still waiting for a slightly better deal.

So, in two stores (though I could have price-matched the Walgreens items at Target) I have almost filled the school supply list and stocked our art cart.  Target also has Elmer's school glue and Crayola 24 packs of crayons for 25 cents, so we bought a few for home.

Total spent: $4.09 plus $7.98 for all the Sharpies (could be considered $1 for only the 2 we needed for school), plus another $2 for extra crayons, glue and glue sticks for home.  Remember, if you don't need the backpack from the Staples deal, you can purchase it to donate.  We have several places with drop boxes, and I think I usually see one by the door at Staples.  We'll also end up sending in some extra glue and crayons for the class.

What supplies are on your list?  Need some help hunting down a deal?  Keep watch on Staples' good deals.  This week, along with the backpacks, you can also get 1 cent copy paper and pens, 25 cent gel pens, packs of 6 highlighters, and Really Useful Boxes (for storing your stuff).  Look at the Sunday ad HERE for the rest of the Staples deals for next week.