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Community Corner

Frugal Family: Back to School Shopping Deals

Now is the time to buy school supplies

The clock is ticking and in just a few weeks the kids will head back to school. (I love my children, but I can’t wait!) Deals can be had at every kind of store: office supply, discount, drug store, clothing and even the grocery store. Don’t forget catalog and the internet, especially if you are looking for something specific.

My girlfriend swears by LL Bean backpacks and Land End clothing. She says it is so worth paying a little extra for a better quality item that will last for several seasons. LL Bean is offering free shipping on everything – no minimum. Make sure you sign up for e-mails from your favorite online and retail stores. You’ll always find a coupon to save with. If buying online, check for discount codes first at www.couponcabin.com

 

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For the college students in the market for a new computer, Microsoft is offering a free Xbox 360 if you buy a new Windows 7 – based PC priced at $699 or more. http://www.windows.com/freexbox  Apple Computers is offering $100 Mac App Store gift card when you buy a new Mac. www.store.apple.com

 

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Luckily, my children don’t need the computers yet, buy they still need the backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks, folders, filler paper, pens and pencils. What I do is stock up on all the supplies I think they’ll need throughout the school year. Now is the only time that they’ll be so cheap. Staples have $.15 composition books, $.25 rulers, $.50 one subject notebooks, and $.50 scissors. Make sure you read the fine print for limits on the sale items.

 

So, make your school supply list… many times the teacher will mail the kids a list of the items they need, or your can check the school’s website for a general listing, or the teacher may have their own link/website. Make sure to check the flyers or online and head to the stores to get the best deals on back-to-school items.

 

Also check out the clothing sales on outfits for school and shoes. I allow my children a certain dollar amount (more for the older ones) to go shopping with. It is a good way to teach them to make wise choices on the clothing, because when the money is gone, they aren’t getting any more.

 

Let me know if you have any great back-school shopping tips to share with our Patch readers…I’d love to hear how you save money!

 

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