By Alexis Cala & Alison (Alley) Pezanoski-Browne

Pencils, rulers and notebooks mean it’s time for back to school shopping. The list can add up fast. As your kids get ready for the school year, you can get ready for savings with a few tips on how to save on back to school shopping:

1. Shop at home first: If last year’s supplies are still in good shape, there’s no reason to spend money on new ones. You can make old supplies look new with stickers or doodles.
2. Stick to your budget: Let the kids know they have a budget for their school supplies. Not only will this keep costs down but you can also teach them a thing or two about managing money.
3. Check yard sales, garage sales, thrift shops or consignment shops: Since these folks want to get rid of things, you should be able to bargain your way down to a pretty price. You can find backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators and other supplies for cheap by being a smart thrift store shopper. Find a Goodwill store near you.
4. Compare prices: You might be surprised to find the same item for half the price if you check other stores. Shop around online and find the store’s weekly ad book before you hit the shelves.
5. Watch for back-to-school fliers, special deals and state tax-free holidays: As the school year nears, stores will begin offering deals on supplies. If you live in one of the 16 states that offer tax free weeks or weekends (AL, CT, FL, GA, IA, LA, MD, MS, MO, NM, NY, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VT) for back to school shopping, plan to hit the stores at that time. Learn more about tax-free holidays in your state.
6. Create a school supply crate: Think ahead and throughout the year, purchase supplies when they’re on sale. That way you’ll have the basic supplies on hand at all times and won’t have to scramble at the beginning of a school year, when back-to-school shopping is at its most hectic. Buy cheap in bulk items to add to the box.
7. Try a swap: Trade in the clothing your kids have grown out of for back-to-school clothes that will fit. You can join an online clothes swap community and trade with other parents whose kids are either older or younger than yours. You can also organize clothing, book and school supply swaps with other parents in your neighborhood or school. It’s a great way to get back-to-school supplies and get to know the other moms and dads in your community.
8. Shop smart: What’s the point of buying a name brand just because it’s a name brand? Buy the cheaper, just as good generic brands. Decorating notebooks and binders can be a fun way for your child to personalize their supplies if they feel self conscious about the way they look. Also, make sure to buy sturdy backpacks and supplies that won’t fall apart half way through the year.
9. Layaway is back: Stores like Kmart now have layaway plans. Fill your bag with supplies you need, pay a little each week and before you know it, those supplies will be yours.
10. Start a school supply drive: I Love Schools, Inc. is a free material exchange program for educators. Let your child’s teacher know that they can request supplies like books, pens, pencils, scissors, art supplies, science equipment, even carpeting, all year around.