{"id":2928,"date":"2022-08-15T14:39:12","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T18:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skypointfcu.com\/wph\/workarea\/?p=2928"},"modified":"2022-08-15T14:39:31","modified_gmt":"2022-08-15T18:39:31","slug":"how-to-save-on-school-supplies-by-tapping-your-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skypointfcu.com\/wph\/workarea\/blog\/how-to-save-on-school-supplies-by-tapping-your-community\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Save on School Supplies by Tapping Your Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s that time again: back to school, back to spending so much money on supplies. And this year, families will have to shell out even more than usual because of inflation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, you can still save money<\/a> on supplies and other gear by leaning on local parents, neighbors and community members. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy in bulk, then split costs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know who else is buying the same supplies you need? The parents of your kid\u2019s classmates. So join forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy certain supplies in bulk if the cost per unit is less than that of a smaller pack. Then split those supplies among other caregivers, so each person pays less than if they had gone solo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buying in bulk is a smart strategy for more general items typically found on classroom lists. These could include facial tissues, disinfecting wipes, plastic storage bags, paper towels and sanitizers, says Charles Field, CEO of TeacherLists<\/a>, a digital platform that enables teachers to upload supply lists, which retailers and parents can access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say your kid is supposed to bring hand sanitizer. One 12-ounce bottle could cost $16. But buy a four-pack for $36, and four people could each spend $9 per bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also try this method for harder-to-get and more expensive items, says Maggie Klokkenga, a Morton, Illinois-based certified financial planner and owner of Make a Money Mindshift, through which she coaches clients on their cash flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Say that fine-tipped dry-erase markers are tough to find. Rather than multiple parents searching empty shelves and paying a premium \u2014 collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klokkenga, a parent of three school-age kids, has tips for coordinating to save on supplies. \u201cIt does require some behind-the-scenes organizing,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, keep the number of people involved to under 10, she suggests, \u201cbefore it gets a little hairy.\u201d Gauge interest before proceeding. Next, compare prices on those items you want to split. Amazon is a safe bet for everyday essentials, she says, but office supply stores can be promising for large orders of classroom-specific items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, tell parents how much the cost will be per person and request that payment. Buy the products only after everyone has paid. After purchasing the items, arrange a pickup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reach out to community organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t want to coordinate that kind of effort? Klokkenga suggests tapping existing groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Call your public library, local community center or place of worship to ask if they\u2019re leading a back-to-school supply drive. If not, consider making the case for one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if there are several school-age kids who attend your place of worship, ask leaders to organize a fundraiser for school supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSee if they can help be a partner, so to speak, in both the administration of it and in getting some money,\u201d Klokkenga says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to mention how inflation has driven up these costs for many of the group\u2019s participants, she adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get secondhand gear from local markets<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using pre-owned supplies and clothes is both eco-friendly and usually cheaper than buying new. The secondhand route is best for reusable items, such as clothes, backpacks and lunch boxes, says Kari Lorz, a Salem, Oregon-based certified financial education instructor and founder of Money for the Mamas, a website devoted to helping mothers learn about money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, Field points out that buying used is riskier for supplies that can wear down without you knowing, like ink pens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for where to find used stuff, Lorz recommends the Buy Nothing Project. According to its website, this movement includes thousands of local communities hosted on Facebook and the BuyNothing app. In these groups, members request and give away stuff for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lorz frequents her local Buy Nothing group. She says it would be fine for a new member who hadn\u2019t previously given away anything to make requests. \u201cThere\u2019s nobody keeping tally,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also find free or discounted items in other local, online spaces, such as Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor and Craigslist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For in-person shopping, seek out yard sales<\/a>, garage sales and thrift stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a carpool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have to haul kids to school or to extracurricular activities, high gas prices will hurt. So try organizing a carpool with nearby families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharing driving duty is kind to the Earth, your wallet and \u2014 as Klokkenga points out \u2014 you. \u201cWhen somebody else picks up your kid, you just gained 10 to 15 more minutes of time,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when it\u2019s your turn to drive, she says, you can learn more about your kid and their classmates. \u201cIt promotes conversation,\u201d she says. \u201cLots of times, you\u2019re finding out more about what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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