Best 6 Times to Purchase School Supplies

As an educator, I’m always on the lookout for good deals on school supplies. Throughout my experiences, here are the top 6 times to look for school supplies for the classroom.

August

In July (and sometimes sooner), stores start to stock their shelves with school supplies. They may have a deal here or there, but the better deals don’t show up until August. At this time, you can find things like pencils, glue sticks, and notebooks for less than a dollar. This can be a great time to stock up on items that you’ll need when school starts.

Computer companies also offer deals on laptops and desktop computers in August. If you have a student or teacher ID, you might be able to get an additional discount.

And, find out if and when your state has a tax holiday. Many states have a tax holiday this month where shoppers don’t have to pay sales tax and common back-to-school items. It’s usually around the first or last week of the month.

September

If you can wait until after school has already started, September is a great time to stock up on school supplies. Everything that wasn’t sold during back-to-school season goes on sale. You can find supplies for a fraction of the price, so consider purchasing things in September to hide away for the following year.

January/February

Since college students go back to school in January, school supplies go on sale at this time of the year, too. You can find great deals on school supplies and computers once again. Or, look for the clearance sales at the beginning of February.

November

Black Friday sales are a great time to purchase holiday presents, but you can also find great deals on school supplies. Websites like Crayola often offer promo codes to help teachers save even more on the items that they need.

July

Furniture stores tend to get new designs at the beginning of August. This means that they need to clear out their warehouses in July to make room for the new items. Do you need a new computer chair? Are you looking for a classroom rug or comfortable chair for your reading corner? Shop clearance deals in July to find great items for your classroom.

May

If you don’t want to wait until July, look for office furniture in May. Studies have shown that most home businesses start right after Tax Day, which is typically April 15th. To help these budding entrepreneurs furnish their home office, furniture stores offer great deals on desks, chairs, and more. Peruse the deals to find what you want for your classroom.

What school supplies do you need for your class? Are you hoping to redecorate your classroom? Do you need extra school supplies for your students to use? Plan ahead, and purchase the items that you need at a time of the year when you can get the best deals.