I was in Target the other day. What did I see on sale? Beach towels? Nope. Sunscreen? Nope. Patriot supplies? Nope. I saw back to school supplies!

I confess, every year this irks me. We get a long list of school supplies from the teacher and it seems like DD uses less than half of them. I swear, this year I'm planning ahead and assembling the items earlier.

~ I'll combine a few glue bottles so she has one filled one. I don't need to run out and buy her a new one.

~ She can bring two half-used glue sticks to school. If she runs out, I swear I'll buy another when they go on clearance in January.

~ We'll talk seriously about whether or not she really needs a new lunch box and backpack.

~ I'm sure I can collect enough pencils to outfit the entire classroom. I don't need to buy DD a pristine new box of them.

~ Hubby buys lined notebooks every year during the clearance sales. I have stacks of them! Now I just have to find them.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

I think they the big sales BTS sales are soon - like when WM has notebook 10/$1, 10 cent crayons, etc. I agree that you don't need everything new each year, so much of what we use is left from last year...

I love it when school supplies go on sale...LOL. I'm weird! I always buy a ton...I use them for my kids, for goody bags, stocking stuffers, car trips, just to have here at the house etc

We've lucked out with lists from school...my kdis really use all their supplies and sometimes they even need to be replenished. So I stock up on glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, paper, notebooks etc

I bought backpacks and lunchboxes one time...never had to replace them, thankfully.

Me too!

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

Last year our PTO started buying school supplies in bulk. Instead of each student running out and buying a bunch of stuff that gets half used, they purchase and distribute them. We send a check for about $25 (which includes field trip fees for the year as well) in the spring, and don't worry about it from then on. There is also a box to check if you need financial assistance and reminders go out right before the school year starts for those who didn't already pay. I LOVE it. It's so much less hassle and less waste.

I'm a sucker for the sales too! I stock up on notebooks, paper, pencils, glue, glue sticks, crayons, etc. as they get used at school and at home. This year I'll have two in school so double the supplies. I just hate that some places limit how many of each thing you can buy - anyone else buy the limit, take it to the car and go back for more?

Since it is my dd's first year with supplies, I am excited to prepare for school. We bought a Lands End lunch bag and LL Bean backpack hoping they will last for a few years.

YES! And if my mom and I go together she buys the limit and I buy the limit even if it's just for me. If you're there on a slow day and get a nice cashier sometimes they'll let you do it in 2 transactions too. I stock up on crayons and color pencils when they go on sale even though I have a few years before school starts. My kids are always losing their crayons.

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Brandy, SAHM to Jodi & Andrew

I have bought school supplies in the past. The kids come home with them all on the first day! The teachers' buy what the kids need,so I just keep what I bought here at home.

I'm the same way!! If crayons are .10, I buy 10 packs. If markers are .50, I'll buy 4, and so on. I like to buy them, and I use the extras for stocking stuffers, bday gifts, and for around the house, crafts, etc.

They each got a new Land's End backpack for Christmas, that I'm hoping & praying will last them 3 years (get them through elementary school), but lunch bags/boxes are a little harder to maintain it seems. I just bought Sarah a really cute Thermos insulated bag, and Andy has an Ohio State 6pack cooler bag, that will be work perfectly for his lunches. Hopefully, we'll get through this year with no problems with those. *crossing fingers*

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~*~ Angie~*~
Wife to Brian
SAHM to Sarah & Andy 2/11/2000