Plenty of retailers capitalize on the back-to-school buying season with late summer sales. Unfortunately, scammers and illegitimate vendors may also take advantage of the demand with phishing attempts or ads with outrageous deals.
This is a busy time of year, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by back-to-school deals and advertising. Planning can help you save money and help you shop safely.
BBB’s back-to-school shopping tips:
● Make a list and set a budget. Your child will likely receive a supply list from their school, but you may want to make a personal list for other essentials like clothes or backpacks. Start by “shopping at home” for any supplies left over from last year. From there, determine what you still need to buy and set your budget.
● Research big-ticket items. If your child needs a laptop, tablet or other expensive item, make sure to research brands, compare prices and learn about warranties and return policies before you buy.
● Shop safe online. Comparing prices between retailers can help you get the best deals, but shop with retailers you trust. Be wary of clicking on links in online ads or emails, especially those that show items from your search history.
● Shop sales and tax-free weekends. Keep an eye out for sales, coupons and rebates from your favorite stores. You can also save money by doing your back-to-school shopping on a tax-free weekend – Missouri’s tax-free weekend for school supplies is August 2-4, 2024. Remember that just because a store advertises a back-to-school sale doesn’t necessarily mean the items are tax-free.
● Buy in bulk. Some teachers may ask parents to help supply items like tissues or hand sanitizer for the class. You may be able to save by pooling your money with other parents and guardians to buy these items in bulk.
● Check for student discounts. Many stores offer student or teacher discounts on back-to-school items.
