We need how many glue sticks?! A few back to school savings from a rookie and lots from a pro!

Last August I had the opportunity to meet Sophia and Stella’s preschool 3 teacher a few days before school started. New to the school scene, I wanted to make sure I was reading the back to school list correctly so the girls would be ready. I asked the teacher if she really meant each student needed 20 glue sticks. Surely, this could not be true. Little did I know how fast a bunch of energetic 3-year-olds could plow through glue sticks. Somehow, I still ended up short in my glue stick purchasing and fortunately the teacher was very kind as I tried to navigate starting school with the girls. Since the girls won’t wear uniforms until they hit kindergarten I also had a lot to learn about back to school clothes. In my mind I was thinking fall is back to school so leggings, cute tops, tunics, etc. Clearly, the blazing heat of Catholic schools in late August and early September had been scorched from my mind somehow. I didn’t think to buy end of the summer clothes deals so the girls would be cool and look slightly more presentable. Instead, last year we largely headed to school on those hot days in our faded summer clothes.

This year, I at least have a tiny idea of what to expect with the back to school madness. I have my lists, I have a better idea of what school supplies the girls need and will use, and I have a better idea of what I may be able to persuade them to wear to school. While I have a few thoughts on how to save with back to school shopping, I turned to a pro, my good friend Tami Salentine who blogs for the DuPage Credit Union. I asked Tami if I could share her recent post with you all and she graciously said yes! Happy shopping!

Meg’s Back to School Tips

1. Gift Cards - Now is the time to search your house for gift cards and use them for back to school shopping. Search your desk, stacks of old birthday and holiday cards, purses, and other places where you tuck away gift cards. Use gift cards first to purchase back to school clothes and supplies. Now is also the time to use your restaurant gift cards. While you are spending more on back to school supplies, use your restaurant gift cards on dinner out to help ease the spending pain. 
2. Cash Back - Before you hit the stores, check out your bank website and credit card websites and see if they are offering back to school cash back bonuses. Since you have to spend money on back to school supplies, it can help if you are at least making your money go further with cash back rewards. Some banks and credit card companies also offer additional coupons or savings with certain stores that you can factor in to your shopping plans.
3. Target Cartwheel and Red Card - If you are a Target shopper the Cartwheel app and Target Red Card are must haves. I know you may think you don’t need another app or another credit card but seriously, these two gems have already saved me so much money. The Target Red Card gives you 5% off immediately at check out. Target is never a $20 dollar shopping experience so 5% off can quickly add up to solid savings. The Target Cartwheel app is excellent. I wish I could tell you I’m a great coupon shopper. I'm not. I’m also in awe of the extreme coupon people. I’m just not that organized. The Target Cartwheel app is so easy though that even I can scan the offers, click a few buttons to save my coupons, and then present my phone at check out for more savings. The Red Card and Cartwheel combo will help you save big bucks.

So that is all I have on back to school savings. I know you are probably laughing but clearly I’m just a rookie trying to figure out how to send my kids to school successfully. Now, let’s hear from a real  pro, my great friend Tami! Tami thanks to you and the DuPage Credit Union for the great tips below!

Back-to-School Shopping Tips
Where has the summer gone? Before you know it, the kids will be back in school. So if you’re thinking about hitting the stores this weekend to start your back-to-school shopping check out these helpful tips and Apps.  And before you go, make sure you have a DuPage Credit Union Visa® Credit Card – all cardholders will receive a 2.9% APR purchase rate on every purchase for a limited time. This offer is good 8/1 through 9/30/16.

Beat the Heat- Stay inside and shop online at sites like EBATES, ShopAtHome.com and Amazon – where you can receive exclusive offers, discounts, cash back and even free shipping.

Social Savings –  Look for advance sales notices and exclusive coupon links from your favorite stores on Facebook and Twitter. And don’t forget to ask your friends to invite you to Facebook groups like Kidz Steals and Deals, which provide sales notifications, recalls and links to coupons.

Inbox Moolah – Take advantage of special Promo Codes, free shipping and special offer emails from stores like Gap, Land’s End and Nordstromto purchase clothing and shoes.

Download the App – Save with rebates, coupons, hot deals and more by downloading mobile Apps such as Krazy Coupon Lady , Shopkick andRetailMeNot , where you can download over 500,000 coupons for  50,000 stores.

Backpack Stash- Comb through your child’s backpack and pencil box, you may find unused glue sticks, note cards and other supplies; which can be recycled for this year’s use. Not to mention rulers, scissors, calculators and other items that can be used for several years in a row.

Clip, Clip, Clip – Before throwing out Sunday’s paper make sure to clip coupons and grab sales flyers for that week’s sales.

Happy Bargain Hunting! Have other tips or suggestions for back-to-school shoppers? Share them below.