With school starting in less
than two weeks, stores across Manitoba are trying to lure parents inside to
blow their back-to-school budgets.
After buying food for
lunches, new clothes, shoes and, of course, a pile of pens, binders, glue and
other supplies, September costs add up quickly.
CBC Manitoba asked parents
on Facebook for their tips on saving money at this time of year.
1. Reuse. Reuse. Reuse.
Several parents pointed out
that a lot of supplies can be reused several years in a row — including binders
and crayons and, of course, backpacks and pencil cases.
Erica Gradwell suggests
buying things like pencils in bulk and doling out supplies over multiple years.
Mom Carrie Muth said she personally keeps everything that won't dry out.
"I bought good quality
plastic Duo-Tangs when my oldest was in Grade 3 that she still uses for Grade
12," she wrote.
2. Consider online shopping.
Outdoor billboards,
flyers and television ads might draw parents into stores, but great deals
can be found online too.
When Stacie Simonson isn't
searching thrift stores for sturdy binders, she said she's had good luck on
sites like Wish and Ali Express. But, she
warns, you have to plan ahead if you order online.
"It takes several weeks
for the packages to arrive … so only go this route if you are able to
wait," Simonson wrote.
3. Dollar stores offer
bargains — but proceed with caution.
Many people suggested
shopping at dollar stores as a great way to avoid tapping your bank account.
Dollar stores offer a range of classroom staples — but a word of
caution.
Many parents said
the low quality of some dollar-store goods meant they had to
replace supplies way too soon.
Faith Loewen encouraged
parents to buy quality to save money over the long run.
"I bought my boys
Ticonderoga pencils in elementary school and they used just a few a year. The
cheap pencils might last a week at most.… Better-quality binders lasted the
full five years they were needed," wrote Loewen.
Author: Laura
Glowacki
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