Best Back to School Prices on Supplies

Back-to-school shopping adds up fast, but it's also the one time of year when stores practically give supplies away to get you in the door. With a little planning, you can check off most of the list for a fraction of the regular price.

When the Best Prices Happen

Back-to-school sales start in early July and usually peak from late July through mid-August. Each week, stores like Target, Walmart, Staples, Office Depot, Walgreens, and CVS put a handful of basics on deep discount. These are loss leaders, priced at or below cost to bring shoppers in.

The pattern repeats every year:

Early July: The first ads appear with a few big markdowns on items like crayons, glue sticks, and folders.
Late July to early August: The best prices of the season, with the most items on sale at once.
Mid to late August: Prices start to creep up, but clearance begins on leftover stock.
September: Clearance on backpacks, lunch boxes, and extra supplies.

Where to Find the Best Deal Each Week

You don't need to visit every store. Each week:

Scan the weekly ads. Most stores post ads online and in their apps by Sunday.
Pick out the loss leaders. Note which items are at their lowest price at each store.
Check the app for extra coupons. Many stores add digital coupons on top of sale prices.
Shop one or two stores. Buy only the items that are at a rock-bottom price there, and come back next week for the rest.

Compare Price Per Unit

The lowest shelf price isn't always the best deal. A 24-pack of pencils for $2 is a better deal per pencil than a 10-pack for $1. Divide the price by the count to compare.

Multi-packs are usually the better value, but only if your kids will use them. Extra supplies are handy for refills mid-year, for a second child, or for donating to a classroom.

Use Every Discount That Stacks

Price matching: Some retailers will match a competitor's advertised price. Check the store's current policy before you go, and bring the ad on your phone.
Teacher and student discounts: Several office supply stores and tech retailers offer discounts for teachers and students.
Rewards programs: Office supply store rewards and store loyalty programs often give back cash or credit on school supply purchases.
Tax-free weekends: Many states have a sales tax holiday on school supplies and clothing in late July or August. Search for your state's dates and plan bigger purchases, like backpacks and shoes, for that weekend.

What to Buy Now and What to Wait On

Stock up during the sale: crayons, pencils, pens, glue sticks, notebooks, folders, filler paper, and erasers. These are at their lowest prices of the year, and they don't go bad. Buy enough for refills through spring.

Wait if you can: backpacks, lunch boxes, and binders often go on clearance in September. Calculators and tech items tend to have sales around back-to-school and again during major holiday sales events, so compare before you buy.

Check before you buy: Many teachers send supply lists home, and some classrooms prefer specific brands. Shop to the list so nothing gets returned.

Don't Forget the Free Options

Before you spend anything, check whether your family qualifies for free supplies. Community groups, churches, and nonprofits run backpack drives every summer. See our list of ways to get free school supplies.

Keep a Back-to-School Price List

Write down the best price you see on each item this year. Next summer, you'll know right away whether an ad is a true deal or just a sale sign. It's the simplest way to keep your school supply budget in check year after year.

Packing lunches too? Try this easy alphabet soup recipe for a cheap, kid-friendly school lunch.