The Northwest Herald has a story today with tips from me about saving on school supplies and back-to-school shopping:
Shoppers can take advantage of sales, rebates, and price-matching policies to save money, said Jill Cataldo, a coupon expert and mother of three from Huntley.
“Some people dread back-to-school shopping and don’t want to drag it out,” she said. “But the worst thing you can do is buy everything at one store. If you go in for one deal, you’ll be overpaying for everything else.”
Shopping around to get the best prices on various items at different stores is one of the suggestions that Cataldo offers on her website, www.jillcataldo.com.
She recommends parents keep a supply list handy and buy at steep discounts where possible. This year, Cataldo estimated she has spent between $5 and $10 per kid to purchase 90 percent of the supplies on their lists.
For those who must do it in a single trip, Cataldo recommends they go prepared with competitors’ coupons to stores that have price-match guarantees, such as Walmart and Target.
When it comes to electronics, such as graphing calculators, the best bet may be a rebate. Backpacks often can be had for free through loyalty programs. And Cataldo said clothing purchases should be staggered.
“They don’t need entire new wardrobes,” she said. “Let them see what their friends are wearing at school and buy later. The sales get better after Labor Day.”
