- Finding the right school supplies can be challenging regardless of your child’s grade.
- Purchasing school supplies in bulk can save money and eliminate future stressful shopping trips.
- When shopping, it’s important to consult the school’s supply list for specific requirements and consider shopping with a friend to split costs.
- This article is part of “Back to School: Parent Prep,” a series that provides expert advice on effectively starting the academic year.
No matter how harmonious and organized I strive to make mornings, I inevitably encounter a familiar scenario once a week during the school year. Just moments before the bus arrives, my fourth grader realizes that she has misplaced essential school supplies like pencils, notebooks, or folders. I rush to find the missing item, only to discover that my kindergartener has exhausted every pencil, folder, and piece of paper in the house. This leads to frustration and tears for both them and myself.
That’s why I’ve decided to buy school supplies in bulk this year.
“Maintaining a stock of supplies at home can prevent last-minute shopping trips and alleviate stress when items run out,” explains Derek Sell, a father of two and the founder of Life and My Finances. “Buying in bulk offers significant savings over time, as the cost per unit is often lower.”
Here are the items I plan on purchasing in bulk to save money, time, and maintain my sanity this school year.
Pens and pencils
During my own childhood, my father would often lament the lack of available writing utensils when he needed them. Now that I’m a parent, I understand his frustration!
Pens and pencils never go to waste, making them ideal for bulk purchases. Each child can have a few pens and pencils, while the rest are stored safely for future use.
Notebooks and paper
My children go through an incredible amount of paper and frequently forget their notebooks at friends’ houses, on the bus, or in who knows where. In addition, they have a habit of using up my own office supplies when they run out.
This year, I will be buying spiral notebooks, printer paper, and lined loose-leaf paper that will be kept hidden until needed.
Folders
Folders are essential for protecting papers during transit to and from school. I also use them to keep us organized at home, assigning one for ongoing homework assignments, another for storing art, and additional ones for school notifications. I often grab a folder or two to organize work projects as well.
Erasers and pencil sharpeners
These small items have a talent for getting lost. My child enjoys procrastinating on their homework by searching for a sharpener, so having extras on hand will keep everyone on track.
Hand sanitizer
Even as the pandemic gradually subsides, we remain more conscious of germs. I’ve attached hand sanitizers to my daughters’ backpacks. Having extra at home, either in the form of larger refill containers or travel-sized items, ensures we never run out.
Craft supplies
What parent hasn’t experienced the frustration of searching for glue, markers, or poster board for their child’s project, only to find the glue and markers depleted? Stocking up on these items in advance helps avoid late-night store runs when project deadlines loom.
Office essentials
Older students often require the same items found in your office, such as permanent markers, highlighters, Post-it notes, tape, and scissors. Back-to-school season presents the perfect opportunity to stock up on these supplies. Sami Cone, a Nashville mother of two teenagers, even considers the tape and scissors needed for holiday gift wrapping and includes them in her back-to-school shopping.
“It’s never cheaper than it is this time of year,” she says.
Tips for buying in bulk
- Check your school’s supply list. Some schools have specific requirements and may request that you omit certain items. Refer to your child’s supply list to avoid spending money on unnecessary supplies. If unsure, reach out to the teacher for clarification, suggests Kellie Kopach, a teacher and mother.
- Consider future years. Students will continue to need basic essentials like pencils, pens, and paper each year. Most school supplies do not expire. “If your child doesn’t use up all the bulk supplies within one school year, chances are they will need and use the same basic supplies the following year,” notes Kopach.
- Plan for storage. School supplies are generally small and won’t take up much space. However, it’s important to have a storage plan. Cone stores her bulk school supplies in a plastic tote in the garage, while I keep mine on shelves in the laundry room, out of reach of little hands.
- Shop with others. Collaborate with friends, family, or neighbors who have school-aged children to share costs and maximize savings on bulk school supplies.
- Involve your kids. While it may seem easier to shop alone, involving your children “teaches them the importance of preparedness for the school year and instills a sense of responsibility,” advises Kopach.
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