It’s school supply time again!  Maybe it’s just not right that school supplies make me so excited; it may be a little twisted on a few different levels:

• There is a secret happy dance knowing that after three months at home, the kids are heading back to school and we are getting a routine back.  Now, having them home is fun and all, but…
• I’m a professional organizer-have you seen all the neat little packages, bins of  fresh supplies and the list from the teacher?  Say no more.
• School supplies are always so inexpensive.  Glue sticks for .20 cents-it’s all just so much fun to buy!

You can approach school supply shopping in an organized manner and make your shopping even easier this year!  Follow these tips:

• Get your list and check it twice.  Find the supply list on the school website, from your child’s teacher or possibly even handy in the school supply section at your local retailer.
• Compare the list against what you already have at home.  Be sure to check the supplies you already have on hand at home.  Maybe what you have in an art drawer.  Or what your child brought home as left-overs at the end of the school year.  This year my youngest daughter got some of her supplies from her older sister’s supply stash that she wasn’t using.
• Look for sales.  Map out where you are going to do your shopping after checking out your local ads.  Be sure to check off supplies as y0u buy so you don’t purchase duplicates.
• Create a stash.  If you know there are certain supplies your kids always need about half way through the year, like pencils, then stock up on some extras.  Make sure you place them where you can find them again.
• Buy for your own office.  This is a time that I often purchase some extra supplies for my own office at a good price.
• After school sales.  Once school starts, the supplies that are still left on the shelves (usually lots of paper) will be steeply discounted.  If you have the storage space, this is a good time to buy supplies to donate to a back-to-school supply drive next year.

Approach school supply shopping in an organized manner and then do your own happy dance that it was so easy this year!

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Tags: bins, glue sticks, list, organized, paper, pencils, retailer, school, school supplies, school supply section, shopping, teacher, Tips, website