When school is just around the corner…so is back to school shopping.
So as you start putting together the yearly shopping list, it’s a good idea to take a look at your options before even setting foot out that door.
And the biggest thing to consider is where you should shop. Is it really better to do your back to school shopping at Walmart rather than Staples? Or can you save a bunch more money through Amazon?
In this ultimate guide, we compare your options and give you a bunch of tips to help you save money on this year’s trip.
Back to school shopping tips
Parents need to help each other out. We’ve asked around and compiled some easy money (and life) saving tips to get you started on your back to school journey.
Here are 8 tips you should consider before you get started.
1. Check what you didn’t use last year
Is your kid’s pencil case still full of last year’s art supplies? Or their book bag still full of packages of paper that got left at the bottom of their locker? Good!
Make sure to cross those items off your list, because there’s no use buying things twice just because they’re new and shiny.
This tip ties into…
2. Pack everything up at the end of the school year
Chances are, you have enough writing, art, and other supplies at home that your kid won’t need to break into their school supplies during the summer.
Make sure to go through their backpacks at the end of the school year and sort out the stuff that’s ready for the trash and what’s still in great condition.
Put it in a plastic bin, hide it away until September and *bam*. You’ve got a mini school supply store for the new year.
3. Don’t bring the kids with you when you shop
Ask them what colours they like and if they have any special requests…but don’t bring them with you.
They don’t always need to hear “we can’t afford that” and will get distracted by brand names, unrelated items, and something shiny.
Avoid unleashing a money-spending machine by leaving them at home with a sitter or friends and family, and you’ll save big money.
4. Make a list
So simple – yet so significant.
By this time, you know what you need and what you don’t (from saving items from last year!) and you can hit the store organized, with a level head and ready to get the biggest bang for your buck.
Stick to what’s on your list to easily avoid overspending and overbuying.
5. Dollar stores have more than you think
Have you been to a dollar store lately? You should.
They have brand name, quality report covers, binders, and craft supplies so kids can make a plain pencil case into the one they’ve always wanted.
It’s definitely worth checking out first to see where you can save.
6. Cash back at grocery stores
Though your credit card doesn’t have a bonus category for back to school shopping, if you do have a grocery credit card and buy your supplies at a grocery store…then it counts.
You might just want to take a look at your local Loblaws retailer, as they’re selling more and more school supplies each year. It’s never a bad idea to get cash back on your necessities.
So say you have the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite Card – you can get 4% cash back on all your purchases in a grocery store, including school supplies.
Learn more about this card here:
Earn more cash back on all your purchases with the Scotia Momentum® Visa Infinite* Card. You’ll start with 10% cash back on everything for the first 3 months – and pay no annual fee for the first year.
$20 GeniusCash + 10% cash back on purchases for 3 months + 4% cash back on groceries.*
I Want This Deal 
GC: $20
And if you have a Mastercard, you can shop at a Walmart SuperCentre and it’ll qualify as a grocery store purchase.
7. Shop online
The future is here. Now you can do price comparisons at the click of a button (although we’ve done a lot of them further down this article). Save money on gas, wear and tear on your vehicle, and most importantly time by shopping in the comfort of your own home.
The ultimate way to shop if you can’t find a sitter but have the time. Pour yourself some coffee, shop the deals, and have it all delivered to you.
Sounds pretty sweet, right?
8. Check out sales when school starts up to prepare for next year
The biggest lifesaver for a big family like mine was my parents shopping for supplies, clothing… honestly everything, after the season.
Just like winter coats go on sale in the spring and bathing suits drop to almost-nothing prices in the fall/winter, school supplies have the same cycle.
Start shopping for next year by hitting stores up in late September or early October and become the ultimate back to school saver.
Back to school shopping lists
While it’s probably your first instinct to check your local school district’s website, newspaper, or maybe even the doors of the school, you might want to start early.
Whether getting a head start on things is your second nature…or it’s the only way you can maintain balance in the crazy life that parenting can be – Amazon’s got you covered.
Did you know they have a section for back to school, with an easy low-to-high price sorting feature to make sure you’re getting the best price?
Not to mention sections for kid’s clothing, snacks, and electronics?
Well, you do now!
If you’re a fellow Amazon-aholic, or simply want to avoid standing in line behind a family of 10 shopping for the same stuff, this feature was made for you.
Back to school sales
While specific sales are hard to recommend considering they’re time-limited, can be location-specific, and are only while supplies last – it’s good to note that some stores have a reputation of what they price the best.
- Walmart – for all the basics. Pencils, paper, erasers, glue sticks, etc.
- Amazon – for the hard to find but gotta-have-it special items that’ll make the kids smile.
- Staples – for binders (some have a lifetime warranty) and notebooks.
- Grocery stores – for the big clearance sales after the kids have gone back to school. Most grocery stores need to make room for other items as there’s a constant turnaround, so they’ll often price things very low in order to order the next season’s stock.
- Winners/Homesense/Marshalls – or any other designer outlet retailer, for those of you who know your kids are going to want the backpack that no one else has, and the parents who don’t want to pay the big price tag.
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Back to school shopping price comparison
The essentials…they’re pretty, well, essential – but do they have to be expensive?
We did a comparison of the 3 biggest retailers – Amazon, Walmart, and Staples – to see where you’re going to be saving the most.
We compared the lowest price option for the most similar if not exact items at each retailer. In the case of different unit amounts, prices were addressed for the higher unit count for better comparability.
| Item | Amazon | Walmart | Staples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lined paper (200 sheets) | $2.25 | $4.09 | $3.99 |
| Pencils (20 pack) | $6.22 | $13.25 | $0.58 |
| Erasers (4 pack) | $8.99 | $6.36 | $2.98 |
| 200 page coil notebook | $1.47 | $2.46 | $2.63 |
| Report covers/duotangs (6 pack) | $12.84 | $4.47 | $0.60 |
| Calculator | $11.04 | $11.04 | $7.99 |
| Pens (12 pack) | $1.29 | $3.35 | $1.29 |
| 12″ ruler | $2.89 | $0.51 | $1.89 |
| Glue sticks (8 pack) | $5.25 | $5.25 | $6.59 |
| Graph paper (100 sheets) | $22.70 | $6.21 | $6.49 |
| Geometry set | $3.97 | $3.24 | $3.98 |
| Highlighters (4 pack) | $2.19 | $11.95 | $2.19 |
| Tabbed dividers (8 pack) | $3.99 | $8.78 | $2.59 |
| 2″ Three-ring binder | $10.79 | $7.19 | $2.97 |
| Markers (16 pack) | $11.98 | $3.25 | $5.39 |
| Pencil crayons (12 pack) | $9.88 | $9.95 | $4.39 |
| Crayons (24 pack) | $4.38 | $4.38 | $5.19 |
| Pencil sharpener (4 pack) | $8.69 | $7.78 | $15.56 |
| Backpack | $25.49 | $10.97 | $10.00 |
| Lunch bag | $19.95 | $19.97 | $8.97 |
| Scissors | $3.32 | $0.97 | $3.19 |
| Total | $179.57 | $145.42 | $99.45 |
When it comes to supplies, Staples surprisingly had far better prices for almost the exact items – mostly thanks to some pretty good sales going on right now.
So if you just want to make one shopping trip, Staples gives you the best value overall.
If you’re super dedicated to spending the least amount, shopping around and only buying the cheapest items on your list will leave you at $79.86.
We’d love to hear from you
Are you and the kids ready for September?
Or, have any other tips for fellow parents in the line of fire that is back to school season?
Let us know in the comments below!
FAQ
What’s the best back to school shopping store?
We compared the prices of 21 different back to school items at Walmart, Amazon, and Staples and found that Staples actually came out the cheapest. You can see our comparison here.
What’s the best way to save money on back to school shopping?
There are 3 main ways to save money while back to school shopping: leave your kid at home, reuse last year’s supplies, and shop around for the best price. You can see more tips here.
Where can I find back to school shopping lists?
Nowadays, most schools send out school supply lists through email, so make sure to check in your junk folder to make sure you didn’t miss it. The main stores also tend to have lists based on the grade your kid is in that could be very helpful.
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