How to Cheaply Finance Back to School Shopping

For students, the end of summer signals the end of relaxation and the start of late nights, hours of homework, and discouraging tests. For parents, a similar worry arises: the cost of buying back to school materials. From notebooks and binders to calculators and backpacks, back to school shopping can add up. However, by no means should this process be as difficult as it is. In this article, we’ll go through how families can cheaply finance their back to school purchases to ensure that their children and their bank accounts are well cared for. 

Spread Out Purchases

The top tip to cheaply finance back to school purchases is to spread out your purchases throughout the entirety of the summer. By waiting until the end of summer to buy all your school materials, you run the risk of having all your necessities going out of stock. Instead, during the course of the summer, you should patiently wait to see if the items you are looking for will go on sale. Chances are, that folder you were recently looking at is going on sale for $1. 

Another benefit of not waiting until the last minute is that offseason deals are quite prevalent for school essentials. During winter/springtime, many school essentials will go on sale at a cheap price. By staying on the lookout for deals during the entire year, families can save big bucks while shopping for school essentials.

Student Discounts

Students looking to save money on back to school purchases should also keep an eye out for student discounts at big retailers. From Apple to Amazon Prime, students can earn up to 20% off on purchases. This feature is definitely helpful for students looking to upgrade their devices or buy school essentials with free shipping.

Student Credit Cards

For college students, student credit cards are another thing to keep in mind before heading to school. College students can also pick from secured credit cards, which require a minimum deposit amount to be kept at all times. By using a credit card in college, students can also build their credit history so that their credit score is in good standing once they finish college. Here are some recommendations for college students to use.

• Discover it Student Chrome: This credit card provides 2% cash back on gas stations and restaurants and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. In addition, if a student has above a 3.0 GPA, they can earn up to $20 of statement credit per year. Not only does this card give great cash back on purchases, but it also rewards strong academic performance.
• Deserve EDU Mastercard: This credit card accepts applicants who don’t have a credit history or social security number. The Deserve EDU card gives 1% unlimited cash back on all purchases and comes with free Amazon Prime. Lastly, this card doesn’t come with an annual fee, so students can enjoy a cheap option to earn cash back in college.

Conclusion

While back to school shopping can be a headache at times, there are many ways for families to save on back to school shopping. By utilizing the aforementioned strategies, families can save plenty on school essentials and earn great rewards while doing so. So, what’s stopping you from earning cash back on your school purchases?