The Back to School Blitz Has Begun

Shop these Five Retailers for the Best Deals.

In my district, the school year begins after Labor Day. As a teacher, my work begins almost immediatly. Teachers start the day after Labor Day with meetings and classroom setup. The students arrive two days later. But the back to school shopping began in late June just as students finished the school year. As a parent and a teacher, seeing new school supply displays on the first day of summer vacation is unnerving. Can’t I enjoy my summer before retailers push fall on me?

Despite my angst, early to mid-summer is a great time to sxore the best deals on school supplies. Retailers push their back to school deals in their weekly sales circulars and online. Generally,once Labor Day is over, the best deals have been advertised and retailers have moved on to Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas items. One day, in late July,, Hobby Lobby, already had their shelves packed with fall and holiday products. I couldn’t get out the store fast enough. I wasn’t ready for the end of the year in July.

Since the pandemic changed teaching and learning, most of the supplies I purchased for my family and students went unused. That makes it easier this year since my state’s education department wants everyone back in school. Remote learning (for now) has been placed on the back burner. State and local politcians want kids back in school — whether they’re vaccinated or not.

That aside, there are plenty of stores that offer great deals on back to school supplies. Here are my top five retailers to check out:

1. Dollar Tree — The name says it all. You can get notebooks, pens, pencils, and even backpacks for a dollar or less. The quality varies depending on the item, but it’s the best place to save money, especially if you have a lot of children returning to school.
2. Ocean State Job Lot — A regional store in New England, Ocean State provides back to school items like pencils and notebooks,that range between $1 — $5 dollars. Backpacks are a bit pricier costing between $7 and $15 dollars. However, you do get a more durable backpack.
3. Staples — This retailer is an office supply giant. So of course it would also sell loads of back to school supplies. They offer good deaks. Crayons sell as low as .50 cents a box, pens, filler paper, folders, and binders with prices ranging from $1 — $ 5 dollars and backpack prices going for $ 15 — $30 dollars.
4. Walmart — This chain carries name brand back to school supplies at rock bottom prices. Some of the items like crayons, pens, and pencils rival Dollar Tree’s prices. Some item being as low as .25 cents. Anything you need for the kids can be purchased at the retailer. Their backpack prices are for all budget levels ranging from $7 — $30 dollars.
5. Target — Back to school at this retailer is always fun. They carry high quality, name brand items in a range of prices. I saw a box of Crayola crayons for .50 cents and a pack of black or blue ink pens for a dollar. They aso carry backpacks at various price ranges from $ 15– $ 40 dollars.

Whatever your budget, you should plan before you buy. Check your children’s rooms to see what they have left over from the previous school years. See which items can be used and which need to be replaced. If their backpacks are in good shape, why get a new one? Only buy items that the kids really need.

Happy shopping!