The 5 cheapest stores for back-to-school shopping

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There are significant costs associated with back-to-school. You’ll need money for extracurricular activities, school registration, textbooks, dorm rooms, and school supplies. These costs can add up significantly, which is why it’s important to know how to save as much money as possible on back-to-school essentials.

One way to save money is to know which stores have the best deals on classroom and dorm room essentials. Whether your child is just starting school or heading off to college, every student needs to be prepared, and every parent should know the best places to shop based on their child’s needs.

Below you will find a list of the cheapest stores for back to school shopping.

Walmart

According to a recent study by Finance Buzz, Walmart is the cheapest store to shop for school supplies because it offers the biggest savings and lowest prices of any retailer. Walmart is known for its wide variety of products – including its cheap school supplies. Its low prices on school supplies like notebooks, backpacks and calculators make it one of the cheapest stores to shop for school.

“What really sets Walmart apart for me is their price-matching policy,” said Lissa Poirot, content director at Joy Wallet. “If you find an identical item at another store for a lower price, Walmart will match it. This means you can take advantage of special offers without running from store to store.”

Poirot added: “I also noticed that their Great Value and Pen+Gear brands offer solid quality at a fraction of the cost of name brand items. It’s a convenient way to get everything you need without spending too much.”

Warehouses

Warehouse retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco are great places to shop if you need to buy school supplies in bulk. Buying these items in bulk will help you get the most bang for your buck.

Big box stores offer a wide variety of clothing for all ages, and shoppers can save money by taking advantage of special offers. Plus, if you need to buy snacks for the whole class, Sam’s Club and Costco are great places to buy in bulk and find cheaper prices than grocery stores.

Staples

Staples is known as a specialist in office supplies and stationery and offers an affordable alternative for all the school supplies that students need for the start of school.

Many parents purchase their school supplies at big box stores, but office supply stores like Staples usually have the best deals on these items, including markers, crayons and colored pencils.

Goal

During its annual back-to-school sale, Target offers many deals on clothing, groceries, and school supplies. Many items at Target, like glue sticks, are sold for under $1, and other back-to-school essentials are given additional discounts. Whether your child is in elementary school or moving into college dorms, Target has a wide variety of products.

Best buy

For electronics your college student may need, Best Buy is a very affordable option. Best Buy offers student discounts, making it a great back-to-school shopping option, whether you need small appliances for a dorm room or a new laptop for school.

More ways to save on back-to-school shopping

The back-to-school season can be costly, and buying all the necessary school supplies can add to the cost. However, there are ways to save money on school shopping. Taking advantage of annual specials is one way to avoid paying full price for products, and researching and comparing prices can help ensure you don’t pay more than you need to. Some stores will offer a price match if you find a product is cheaper elsewhere.

If you want to save even more money, you can also buy used school supplies, electronics, or clothing from thrift stores. This is another way to find cheap school supplies. Buying items in bulk is also a recommended way to save money.