When to Splurge & When to Skimp on School Supplies
You have a long list of school supplies on your back-to-school shopping list. How do you know when to shop on price and when to pay top dollar? It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
- Durability:
For things that get frequent use, choose the highest quality durable items you can afford. Check online reviews to see what actual users have to say about how products hold up.
- Quantity:
For supplies used in large amounts, like notebooks or pens, seek out merchandise with low replacement costs or available at a volume discount. Shop back to school sales and stock up on high-use supplies.
- Total Cost of Ownership:
For technology, factor in the cost of component parts, like peripherals or other supplies. If that low-cost printer requires high-cost or hard-to-find cartridges, or frequent replacements, you haven’t really saved money.
So when should you splurge and when should you skimp? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular back to school supplies.
Supplies to Spend On
There are some back to school items, where looking for a bargain isn’t all about the lowest price. Here are five where it pays to consider spending more.
Backpack: Students spend most of their academic lives schlepping between classes and home or after-school activities, and a high-quality ergonomic backpack is critical. “Cheap ones fall apart, are uncomfortable or — worst-case scenario — don’t support your posture, leading to back problems,” says Holly Rodriguez, a Richmond, VA–based mentor to high school and college students. Choose a backpack that offers good shoulder padding and fits properly.
Learning Technology: If your child attends a school with a Bring-Your-Own-Device policy, or if you’re tired of sharing your computer with your progeny, buy reliable and easily portable tablets or laptops for school. “The most money, hands down, should be spent on the technology the student needs to get their work done,” says Rodriguez. Shave additional bucks by shopping back to school sales and purchasing during your state’s tax-free weekend.
Binders & Notebooks: Few school supplies are used as much as binders and spiral notebooks, so it makes sense to spend a little more for these items. For binders, you want thick plastic, good binding and strong rings. For notebooks, look for a durable, tear-resistant cover and hard cardboard backing. These features help these books stand up to repeated use, and being pulled from and shoved back in backpacks all day long.
Data Storage & Protection: Forget the dog — these days, it’s more likely that computer gremlins will eat your child’s homework. An external hard drive provides good back-up capacity and a flash drive offers portability, but a cloud-based solution will keep important papers and work in progress securely stowed for easy access from school or when your child is working on a group project at a classmate’s house. Teach your kids to upload their assignments every night so if they forget to bring them to school, the documents are easily retrieved for full credit (and without your having to make a special trip to the school office).
Seating: The right chair makes studying more effective. “A good quality ergonomic computer chair avoids body fatigue from hours spent in front of the computer,” says Monica Benoit-Beatty, an Austin, TX–based mom. This ensures that even if the kitchen table doubles as a desk, your child will stay focused and correctly positioned.
Places to Save
While people may have their preferences when it comes to pencils and crayons, school supplies like that will always get the job done. (In fact, you can find many of these must-haves at unbeatable prices on our Less List.) Here are some other items where cheap tends to not be beat.
Printers: Choose an inexpensive unit that uses readily available and affordable long-run ink and toner cartridges. Be sure the printer enables wireless printing so everyone in the family can access it. An all-in-one model will give you more bang for your buck. Look for back to school deals on printers and supplies to further reduce the price, and stock up on ink cartridges at low prices for even more savings.
Screens & Displays: If your child’s school uses flipped classrooms or blended learning, videos are a part of many homework assignments. And if your child does a lot of video or graphics projects, a bigger screen is going to be better. When considering a computer monitor, opt for a television that also connects with laptops or tablets so the display does double duty as educational and entertainment. Save more dough by watching for low prices in your area and using your favorite retailer’s price-match guarantee. Some, like Staples, go beyond matching, offering 110 percent of the published price during back to school season.
Repairs & Replacement: Many manufacturers and retailers offer warranties and guarantees, some with optional accidental damage coverage Always look for money-back guarantees, of course, but be choosier about signing up for protection plans for devices and appliances. Compare the price of the plan and the cost of replacing the item to see if it is worth it.
Keep this information handy when you do your back to school shopping to get the best return on your investment.
Related Articles
- How to Choose School Supplies That Will Last
- How to Buy an Ergonomic Backpack
- How Parents Can Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping