There is no getting around the necessity of various supplies for schools. Every year stocks need to be replenished, furniture bought and resources in the classroom such as games and equipment replenished. The good news is that although this can be a costly affair, it doesn't have to be. There are a good number of ways it is possible to save money on school supplies and by no means does the quality have to be compromised either. Far from it, with a bit of careful planning and spending, the supplies budget can be kept to a minimum. Here are some top tips on saving money in the classroom:
Start Early
This is one of the best pieces of advice with regard to saving money on school equipment and resources. Starting early can result in huge savings. Ideally the first planning for buying new equipment and furniture should start the minute the school year ends. At this time a list should start to be prepared with all the necessary items listed that are needed to begin the next academic year. Any broken equipment should be found and discarded, any items that are being reused should be tidied neatly away and any furniture that needs fixing or other maintenance that needs doing should be done immediately.
Shop Online
There are a huge number of savings to be made by shopping online. With so much competition out there, prices are kept extremely low and with fewer overheads incorporated into the price, up to 50% can be saved on high street prices. Be aware however that sometimes a lower price means poorer quality. Make sure you shop only with very reputable sources, ideally where you can see positive feedback from other customers. The other benefits of shopping online are that it takes much less time because you can browse easily without having to physically go shopping.
Look for Discounts
It is very important to keep a very beady eye out for discounts. These could be either in local shops nearby or online but discounts can add up to massive savings and discounts. 2 for 1 deals are particularly common which offer excellent value for money. When you spot a discount that appeals, make sure you fill your shopping trolley (virtual or otherwise) to maximise the savings available. Buying in bulk can also result in cheaper prices so look out for places that are selling bulk items for less. Things such as stationary, paper and books are often discounted when ordered in large quantities.
Don't deviate from the list
It is always tempting to stray away from the list when out shopping, and the same is true when shopping for school supplies. By sticking rigidly to the list however it is possible to keep impulse spending in check. Being thorough with the initial inventory is very important and then not straying is the key to success. When items are left off the list then additional trips or shopping sprees will be necessary which increase the chance of overspending so be thorough and precise and never deviate.
Although these tips may seem relatively common sense, they are often overlooked when planning and preparing for the new school year. By sticking to the ideas outlined above, it is possible to dramatically reduce the budget allocated for school supplies, general classroom resources and school locker equipment. There are always going to be shops and online sellers offering poor quality items however at low prices, and this would be the one pitfall to watch out for. Buying low quality items often results in a double spend as they invariably need replacing so they actually end up costing a lot more than slightly more expensive but high quality items. Watch out for this and only shop with reputable suppliers who ideally have good customer feedback and some excellent testimonials which can often be found on their website. If necessary, see if you can contact one or two of the testimonials.