Do you ever think about the best time to Start Back to School Shopping?  Summer may have just started, but it’s already time to start thinking about back to school shopping.

With American parents spending an average of $630 on back to school supplies, it’s important to catch the early sales to save the most money – especially if you have multiple children! Not sure when to catch the best deals? Check out these parent-tested tips below!

Start Early

Taking a cue from parents who plan ahead, retailers start creating their Back to School sections as early as the Fourth of July. While there is plenty of stock added throughout the following weeks, retailers typically offer some sort of incentive during the early weeks to jumpstart sales.

If possible, start stocking up early in the summer and set items aside for August or September. Keep in mind that retailers have back to school sales throughout the summer, so keep an eye on their weekly ads for the best prices.

Shop Often

For the best deals, you may need to wait for sales on specific items, so be prepared to shop often. Sign-up for promotional emails from your favorite back to school retailers to make sure you get the latest deals and steals.

A weekly trip to buy the latest on-sale school supply can help save money and help you stock-up on items that frequently need to be replaced mid-school year. Store extra items in a plastic tub until their needed after the winter holiday break! If there’s anything left over at the end of the school year, save it for the next year or donate it to your child’s teacher.

Sales Tax Holidays

A day free of paying sales tax?! Yes, please! If you’re lucky enough to live in a state that offers a sales tax holiday, consider waiting until then to purchase your back to school supplies.

You can avoid paying sales tax on clothing, footwear, school supplies, and, in some states, computers and books! Find a complete list of State Sales Tax Holidays here. Some weeks start early in the summer while others fall later in August, so be sure to check your state’s dates.

Last-Minute Shopping

For deeper discounts on back to school supplies, last-minute shopping can pay off big. Everything from notebooks to binders to pencils are priced to move as stores get ready to clear off the shelves and move to the next selling season.

Be careful though, because although you can find plenty of items at clearance prices, you might not be able to find everything that you need. If your child needs very specific items or will only write in a certain type of notebook, it’s probably better to pick that up first and stock up on extras right before or after the first day of school.

Careful Planning 

Shopping for back to school supplies is an expensive endeavor, but with some careful planning and a willingness to shop early and often, you’ll be able to save on plenty of back to school items.

If your child’s school or teacher has a detailed back to school shopping list, be sure to have that in hand before heading out for supplies. The new school year will be here before you know it, so get shopping!

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