Smart Spending For Fall

It’s not official but certainly back to school is looked at as a season among families in Canada. We prepare for it in the later part of summer and it stretches through the entire month of September. Even though the kids are on their way to school this month, it seems like there’s always another item needed, fundraiser starting, or event happening. It’s no surprise then, that according to a recent survey from digital offers site RetailMeNot.ca, 43 per cent of Canadian parents view back-to-school as a financial burden on their families.

Sandra Hanna, co-founder of SmartCookies.com and official spokesperson for RetailMeNot.ca, offers some great tips to help us through the back to school season:

1. Hold Off On Trendier Gear
Thirty-four per cent of Canadian parents feel the pressure to purchase trendy items to help their child fit in at school. The problem is, trends come and go – and often very quickly!  Kids may love a certain lunch box or pencil case they find in August, but once school starts and they see that their friends are all using another kind they’ll beg you to upgrade.  Hold off on the more trendy purchases until school starts rather than spending double… it will pay to wait!

2. Cheapest Isn’t Always Best
When it comes to items your kids will use all year round, like backpacks, it pays to invest in quality. Think about price for longevity and factor that into your cost comparison. However, don’t forget that you can still find a great deal on a high quality backpack for about $40, especially if you stack your savings. Doing a quick search on sites like RetailMeNot.ca will help you find promo codes for some of your favourite retailers and brands, saving you a few dollars on that backpack.

3. Go For Reusable Lunch Supplies
Don’t waste money on plastic utensils and paper napkins that get thrown out after only one use. If you throw away bags and bottles, you’re basically throwing your money in the garbage. Instead, use cloth napkins, real flatware and reusable containers for food and snacks. It pays to invest in products like LunchSkins which are BPA- and phthalate-free reusable snack and sandwich bags that can go in the dishwasher. It’s a small investment, but they last forever.

4. Deals Aren’t Just For the Kids
Despite 43 per cent Canadians feeling back-to-school can be a financial burden, the shopping season can also bring a ton of sales! While you’re stocking your kids up for the school year, don’t forget to take advantage of the lowest prices of the year on computers and other office equipment.

5. Share Your Shopping
Forty-four per cent of Canadian parents agree back-to-school shopping is stressful, so why not share the stress and costs? You can save money by buying school supplies in bulk especially if you split the cost with another parent. Compare shopping lists with friends and neighbours to see what you both need. By buying in bulk at stores like Costco and splitting the cost, you can save money for the more expensive items.

Great tips! I generally find some great birthday party treat bags items during the back to school season – crayons and pencil crayons for as low as 50 cents/box make great additions! Look for 5 cent notebooks during this time as well (they’re out there!) and use year-round for practicing printing, making lists and more.

RetailMeNot.ca is a great first-stop when shopping online. It makes sense that you’d flip through a flyer for deals before heading out the door, so why not visit a website first to ensure you’re getting the best deal before clicking on your favorite online site?

I love promo codes and RetailMeNot.ca is full of them, like this one I just found for $15 off your entire order over $100 at Staples.ca JUST for being a smart shopper clicking through RetailMeNot first! I also found a bunch of coupons for Carter’s Canada and we always shop there, so this one was a no-brainer!

Don’t let back to school shopping season stress you out – just take some smart steps first like the tips shared above and of course visiting sites like RetailMeNot.ca.

One of our readers are going to a $100 Visa gift card to help make your back to school and fall shopping a little less stressful! Just enter your name and email address below to get started and follow the directions on the form!