I know that a lot of you have started school already. HOWEVER, there are some of you who have not yet ( like us!) and you are buying school supplies still!
I want to make it as easy as possible for you, and so I did what most smart guys do and had my wife make me a spread sheet like the one she uses each for our kids. So that I can look cool and offer it to you guys to print free. I am really awesome that way 🙂
Seriously, it works. We spent $80 last year on 6 kids school supplies by doing the following:
- Print the Back To School Supply ListÂ
- Get your kids school supply lists
- Add the items into the spreadsheet (one sheet for ALL your kids)
- Watch the sales for the next 5-6 weeks
- If it is less then Walmarts price at any store, buy it.
- If it is the same as Walmarts price wait a few weeks and see if it goes lower anywhere
- About a week before your school starts, the things you are still missing, buy them at Walmart
- Cross off items as you get them, so you are not overbuying
Thats it. Easy.
I am going to be posting ANY deal that I find, or that you see and email me, Â that we can price match at Walmart each week.
- If you buy a little each week you can save a LOT of money.
- Not get stuck right before school spending a bunch of money.
- Don’t wait until the say before and everything is sold out.
This is basically what our sheet looks like. Except that my wife laminates ours (she is just that way) Â and it is on the fridge.
We combine all the kids supply lists into one sheet. Add the # of each item that we need. If there are certain folder colors they need we make a note. We cross off what we bought. The Walmart prices are listed as a reference in case we are in another store and are wondering if something is a good deal.
There is space at the bottom because I am assuming you might have different items your school is requiring. Or you can always just make one up that works for you better. But this is a method my wife has been using for a long time and it works.
Go HERE to download yours. Once you download, I found it easiest to click the printer button on the left where the hot pink arrow is pointing. It prints best in Acrobat though.
Let us know if you have a system that works!
Are you ready for 2013? Get your Walmart Back to School Clothing Deals as they come up!
As a retired school teacher. I also have some advice for those who are really hurting. If you do not have the money for school supplies do not buy them!
Send children to school with a few sheets of paper a pen , a pencil, and a folder.Many schools have programs that work for the truly needy.
I have watched many families struggle to pay school supplies and rent. Pay your rent and skip the school supplies.
I love this idea! I did not have to shop for much this year since my first battle with learning how to coupon started this time last year and I had TONS of freebies. This year I decided to add “wishful items” that I need for next year in 4th grade and even 5th. I have a good friend that had an unexpected bill pop up and we were able to go right in my closet and grab out the bulk of her daughter’s school supplies. Plan ahead because you never know what later looks like.
I was thinking the same thing… Might as well start on the next couple years while it’s on clearence! Thanks so much Paul! This is a great tool! Thank Tiffany too 🙂