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Going back to school can bring with it some serious expenses: extracurricular activities, school registration, textbooks, dorm rooms, school supplies, and more. These costs can increase significantly, so it’s important to know how to maximize your savings on back-to-school essentials.
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One way to save money is to know which stores offer the cheapest classroom and dorm essentials. Whether your student is starting a new semester or heading off to college, every student needs to be prepared and every parent needs to know the best places to shop for their student’s needs.
Below we’ve listed the best affordable stores for back to school shopping.
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Walmart
A recent study by Finance Buzz found that Walmart has the highest discounts and lowest prices of all retailers, making it the cheapest place to shop for back to school. Known for its wide range of products, including affordable school supplies, Walmart offers low prices on school essentials like notebooks, backpacks, calculators, and more, making it one of the most affordable stores to shop for school supplies.
“What really sets Walmart apart for me is their price-matching policy,” says Lisa Poirot, content director at JoyWallet. “If the same product is being sold for less at another store, Walmart will match that price, meaning you can take advantage of the sale without having to go store-hopping.”
Poirot adds, “I’ve also found that the Great Value and Pen+Gear brands offer solid quality at a fraction of the cost of the big name brands, so it’s a practical way to get everything you need without spending too much money.”
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Warehouse store
If you need to buy back-to-school items in bulk, warehouse retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco are great options. Buying these items in bulk will help you get the most for your money.
Warehouse stores have a wide variety of clothing for all ages and sale discounts that can help shoppers save money. And if you need to buy snacks for the whole class, Sam’s Club and Costco are great places to buy in bulk and are cheaper than the grocery store.
Staples
Known for specializing in office supplies and stationery, Staples offers all the back-to-school supplies students need at affordable prices.
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Many parents buy school supplies at big box stores, but stationery items like markers, crayons, and colored pencils are usually cheapest at stationery stores like Staples.
target
Target has a huge selection of clothing, groceries, and school supplies for its annual Back to School Sale. Target has many items, like glue sticks, for under $1, and other back to school essentials are even more discounted. Whether your child is in elementary school or moving into a college dorm, Target has a wide range of products for you.
Best Buy
When it comes to electronics needs for students, Best Buy is a very affordable option. Best Buy offers student discounts, making it a great choice for back-to-school shopping, like small appliances for your dorm room or a new laptop for school.
Other ways to save on back-to-school shopping
Back to school can be an expensive time, and buying the necessary school supplies can be even more costly. But there are ways to save money when shopping for school supplies. Taking advantage of annual sales is one way to avoid buying items at full price. Another way to ensure you don’t pay more than you have to is to do your research and compare prices. Some stores will even match the price if you find a product cheaper elsewhere.
If you want to save even more, you can shop at thrift stores for used school supplies, electronics, clothing, and more to get all the back-to-school essentials you need at affordable prices. Buying in bulk is another great way to save money.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Affordable Places to Shop for Back to School
