SCHOOL DEALS ARE HERE
Back-to-school deals are here
IT’S STILL a little early for the onslaught of summertime back-to-school bargains, but there are ways for parents to get a jump on savings for the fall.
While not everything on your child’s school shopping list is a good deal right now, here’s how to take advantage of early-summer buys. l Layer basics. Snag sales on T-shirts and tank tops, which kids can wear well into fall and winter under sweaters and hoodies. Discounted summer dresses can double as cold-weather apparel when paired with leggings and boots. Considering it doesn’t really start to get cold for several weeks into the school year, these summery items won’t go to waste.
Slash prices further by using coupons from deals sites like Coupon Sherpa where you can find $10 off a $50 purchase at Aeropostale and 20% off $40 purchases from Carter’s. l Uniform essentials. In addition to summer styles, look for garments that fit within uniform guidelines. Old Navy is offering uniform basics like buttonup shirts for as little as $7 during its backto-school uniform sale. Lands’ End is also offering polo shirts starting at $15, and Macy’s has uniform styles for up to 50% off. l Sporting goods. Sporting gear is another early July promotional favorite, with stores like Sports Authority and Dick’s Sporting Goods offering storewide sales and additional discounts. For example, Sports Authority is offering savings up to 40% on football clearance. l Dorm furniture. Freshmen will be heading off to college later this summer, but July is one of the best times of the year to save on big-ticket items for dorm rooms. Target is offering up to 25% off back-to-college items, plus up to 30% off furniture. Kohl’s has furniture on sale, with savings from 15% to 50% on bedframes, end tables, drawer chests and more. l Double-duty supplies. Get a head start on fall school supplies by using them for summer activities and back-to-school needs. For example, a travel backpack for an upcoming vacation can double as your child’s new back-to-school bag. You can also purchase new markers or crayons for the school year, which your child can use now during those long road trips by car.
Despite some current bargains, most school supplies are best purchased in August and September when they’re at their deepest discounts. Classroom essentials like notebooks and pencils, for example, are cheaper in August, while jeans are a better buy in October.
It’s also better to wait a little longer to scoop up a new laptop or tablet, since retailers like Apple promote big sales closer to the start of the school year.