As the new school year approaches, you find yourself scouring stores for affordable supplies to equip your child for academic success. However, the mounting costs can quickly strain your budget.
Fear not, savvy shopper! This comprehensive guide unveils a treasure trove of resources to help you acquire essential school materials at minimal expense or even free. From local organizations to online marketplaces, we’re exploring some strategies to ensure your child is fully prepared without breaking the bank.
Back to School Supply Lists: What You're going to Need
Firstly — it’s crucial to ensure your child has all the necessary supplies to start on the right foot. While the specific lists may vary depending on the grade level and school, some essential items are universal.
Notebooks (spiral-bound or composition is fine)
Loose-leaf paper (college or wide-ruled is ok)
Pencils
Colored pencils
Blue or black pens
Erasers
Scissors
Glue sticks
Crayons or Colored pencils
Rulers
Folders
Subject-Specific Needs
In addition to the basic supplies, certain subjects may require specialized materials. For instance, math classes often necessitate protractors, compasses, and calculators. Art classes, on the other hand, require sketchbooks, paintbrushes, and various art supplies.
Tech Essentials
With the increasing integration of technology in education, some tech essentials have become indispensable. Depending on your school’s requirements, you may need to invest in a laptop or other digital device. Additionally, consider purchasing headphones, storage devices, and a reliable backpack or laptop case to protect your child’s tech gear.
Shop Bulk -- Share Supplies
A smart way to reduce costs on school supplies is to buy certain items in bulk. Look for bulk pricing on basics such as pencils, pens, notebooks, and loose-leaf paper.
Split Costs With Friends
Take it a step further by teaming up with friends or neighbors who also have school-aged kids. Go in together on bulk purchases and split the costs. This allows everyone to maximize the per-unit savings.
Share Supplies
Another cost-saving tactic is to share reusable school supplies between multiple students. Things such as protractors, compasses, calculators and other durable supplies could easily be shared between kids.
By thinking creatively about bulk buys and sharing, dramatically reduce your yearly outlay on student essentials. A couple smart strategies can help stretch those precious back-to-school dollars.
Discounted Retailers
Office Supply
Office supply chains such as Office Depot or Staples are another great source for discounted items.
These stores frequently offer deep discounts, bundled deals, and even free supplies with qualifying purchases in the weeks leading up to the new school year.
Dollar Stores
Dollar stores have become a go-to spot for shoppers seeking inexpensive school supplies.
Stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General offer a wide array of basic supplies, from pencils and folders to scissors and glue, all for just $1 or less each item.
Online Retailers
Thrift Stores and Garage Sales
For the ultimate bargain hunter, thrift stores and garage sales yield excellent deals on gently used school supplies. With patience, you’re bound to stumble upon essentials at a fraction of original costs.
Check With Your School District
Many school districts have programs in place to provide free school supplies to families in need. These programs are often funded by government grants or donations from local businesses.
Contact Early
Contact your child’s school district’s administrative office as early as possible to inquire about their programs. Be prepared to provide documentation of your finances such as pay stubs or taxes.
What's Covered
Some districts could cover the cost of essential supplies such as notebooks, pencils, and backpacks. Others may offer discounted rates on items like calculators, art supplies, or uniforms.
Attend Supply Giveaway Events
Many districts have school supply drives or community organizations where families grab free backpacks, pencils, water bottles, notebooks, and more. Look out for announcements about them.
By taking advantage of these programs, you can ensure your child has the necessary tools for a successful school year without breaking the bank.
Need Help With School Lunches? National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally-assisted meal program that provides low-cost or free lunches to millions of children each school day.
This program aims to combat childhood hunger and ensure students have access to nutritious meals, enabling them to focus better in the classroom.
Who Qualifies?
Children from families with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level are eligible to receive free meals. Those with incomes between 130-185% of the poverty level qualify for reduced-price meals.
NSLP Application
Applications for the NSLP must be submitted annually. Most school districts provide forms at the start of the academic year or you can apply online on your state’s education agency website
Menu Options
School lunch menus follow USDA nutrition guidelines to promote healthy eating habits. Meals provide age-appropriate calorie levels from foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.
By taking advantage of the NSLP, you’re ensuring your child has access to nutritious meals without straining the family budget. This support allows students to show up nourished and ready to learn.
Struggling to Afford School Supplies? Receive a FREE Phone!
Purchasing school supplies is a significant financial burden, especially for low-income families. However, EASY Wireless offers a solution that can alleviate some of that stress. When you sign up for the Lifeline Assistance program through EASY Wireless on Federally recognized tribal land, you could receive a free smartphone and monthly data plan, making it easier to stay connected and access educational resources.
With a free smartphone and data plan from EASY Wireless, you’re going to have access to a wealth of online educational resources. Students can research assignments, access e-books, and communicate with teachers and classmates. Parents could stay informed about upcoming school events, monitor their children’s progress, and explore free educational apps and websites.
What Phone Benefits Do I Receive With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for the Lifeline program above in tribal land with EASY Wireless as your service provider, here are what connectivity benefits you receive:
EASY Wireless Offer:
FREE Smartphone
6 GB High Speed Data
FREE Unlimited Talk
FREE Unlimited Text
FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
Applying With EASY Wireless
The easiest way to start with EASY Wireless is to apply online by clicking below:
Start Saving Today!
Find Your Nearest EASY Wireless Store
Another way is to come to one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, where its customer service support team helps you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the income requirement.Â
