Why Back To School Sales Should Interest you -- Even if you don't have School Aged Children

I don't have children, school aged or otherwise, but I'm really looking forward to the school supply sales.  Why?  Well, for one reason I'm an office supply junkie.  The other reason is because I love bargains.  So why should you be interested in back to school sales?

1.   Christmas.   What do you need at Christmas time?   Tape.  Scissors.  More tape because you misplaced that last roll.  Pens.  These things don't expire, so the perfect time to buy them is at Back to School.   Also, sales on fun notebooks, pencils, etc. make good gifts to children.  I know when I was in school, it was near mid-year that I needed new notebooks.  My parents never bought extra, so they had to pay full price.  If you are making a gift of notebooks, don't use the cheap notebooks, but the ones that are fun.  Also, Crayola items are often on sale and these make great stocking stuffers.



2.  Halloween.   Crayons would make great items for trick-or-treat.  At sometimes just 10 cents a box, this is much better than candy, and they are still a fun items.

3.  Household.  Years ago I had a household organizing binder.  My mother used to laugh that I couldn't go a day without that thing.  I tracked my spending, eBay sales, had my address list in there, a calendar.  Basically it was my control center of my life.  I know that a lot of people use apps, but for me, it's just easier to have everything on paper.  This is the perfect time of year to buy a new binder (I prefer the ones where I can create my own cover).  Of course, copy paper -- especially in different colors, a three ring hole punch if you don't already have one, folders, dividers, etc. help get everything organized.

4.  Donations.  This is the time of year your donation dollar to schools can go a long way.  I support a school near me that has the highest poverty rate in our county.  Some children can't afford a pencil.  When I find pencils inexpensively, I buy as many as I can.  After Easter I found Easter patterned pencils at 90% off.  The pencils were 1 cent each.  You can't get much cheaper than that, and I bought all the store had.  One year I organized so many supplies for this school they spread everything on tables in the library in the days before students got there and teachers could come and take whatever they needed.  Backpacks are also very welcomed.

5.  Special events.  Last year at back to school time, I remembered my wedding which took place in May.  I wanted to have crayons as favors for the kids.  That was the time to buy them.  I also had a kids' craft table.  Maybe you are organizing a family reunion and are making welcome bags.  A box of crayons, a pen, etc. would be great additions, and this is the time of year to buy them.

6.  Online selling.  It doesn't matter if you sell on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, or elsewhere, this is a great time of year to stock up on anything you might need.  I sometimes use folders to help give a craft pattern more stability when shipping it.  I've seen these as low at two cents each at back to school.  Of course the obvious paper, pens, labels.  This can even be a good time of year to buy computer equipment.

7.  Home decorating and organizing.  Don't forget that back to school also includes college gear.   This might be a great time for additions to the man cave sports room that is themed with an NCAA team.  Or a new throw rug.  A mini-fridge for the guest room.  Plastic storage containers.  Even bed sets can be found on sale this time of year if you just keep your eyes peeled for bargains.