Back-to-school season is in full effect for many households. It’s a fast-paced time, often filled with lists and reminders. With over 3 million students enrolled in Florida, there’s bound to be some last-minute school shopping on the agenda.
It can be easy to overspend while school shopping, particularly if you’re in a rush. We created this article to help you budget for all the supplies your student needs and to keep you on track with purchases. Browse through our money-saving tips below for more details.
Take an inventory
You’ll be surprised by how many parents overbuy the wrong supplies. This year, even if it’s at the last minute, verify what you currently have before shopping for more. Once you have an idea of your inventory, compare it to the requested school supply list. This brief yet important step lets you focus on what matters, freeing your budget from unnecessary expenses.
Decide if big-ticket purchases can wait
Your students may need big-ticket items such as computers, headphones, or calculators sometime during the school year. If they do not need them immediately, try waiting for Labor Day or Black Friday sales, as the discounts on electronics will be better.
Use online checkout to your advantage
Many stores allow you to order online and ship to your home for free. Use this to your advantage by combining your checkout with seasonal promo codes. School shopping online not only saves money with exclusive e-commerce deals, but it also prevents you from additional impulse purchases. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been inside a store and had a problem putting unplanned snacks in your cart. Online shopping solves that since you have to review your order before checkout.
Enroll in Saving for GOOD
Saving for GOOD takes the guesswork out of saving. It automatically deposits your spare change into your savings account each time you make a purchase with your Achieva debit card. Members, turn your school shopping trips into real savings growth by viewing the program terms here.
Think twice about bulk purchases
Buying in bulk has its perks, but only if the items are of good quality. Before purchasing a set of 24 notebooks to use throughout the year, read the reviews first. Sometimes, a good deal is more of a gimmick, especially when you find out those 24 notebooks only have a few usable pages.
Remember tax holidays
Florida’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is now until August 6, 2023. During the sales tax holiday period, tax is not due on the retail sale of clothing, footwear, certain school supplies, and more. Visit The Florida Department of Revenue for more information.
Basic vs. licensed vs. customized
We all know licensed items with a cartoon character’s face can cost more than their plain counterparts. Rather than shelling out dough for a licensed item, consider customizing it. The result will almost always be cheaper.
For example, your child wants a pencil case with Batman on it. This is when you would convince them to purchase a regular case instead and decorate it with more affordable Batman stickers. It’s a winning situation for all involved, including your wallet.
School shopping and preparing
Going back to school is exciting for students, and we hope these tips have helped you plan for any last-minute school shopping. As you prepare for the upcoming academic year, remember to continue following the Achieva Life Blog for more money-saving and finance articles.
