Teacher Tips on School Supply Savings

It was back to class Thursday for four year-round schools in Anderson District Five Thursday. That means school shopping is well underway, and now is the time to save on supplies. No one knows how to do that better teachers - who we know spend their own money on classrooms every year. Teacher Carol Cooper gives us a lesson in shopping for school supplies.
Mrs. Cooper is a fifth grade teacher at Northwest Elementary in Cherokee County where the District has scaled back on student supply lists this year. "Our sixth, seventh and eight grades… We tell them to bring #2 pencils, notebook paper and a journal notebook, and that's it." No tissues or sanitizers are on the lists. Superintendent Dr. Bill James says the District is going to pick up the slack for those items. "I think everyone is being impacted greatly by the economy, and we don't want to add to that economic burden. We want to provide a good sound educational experience for children, “says James.
Mrs. Cooper volunteered to show us how she stretches the $275 she is given to buy school supplies for the year; so News Channel 7 went with her to the Wal-Mart in Gaffney in search of savings. She bought dozens of folders she found on an end aisle. "These are 15 cents, which is a really good deal." Cooper says when buying pencils, get the wooden ones and spend no more than a quarter for ten. When it comes to crayons, she prefers Crayola, now on sale, 22 cents for 24. "I think they color better, and the children like them better." She says Roseart crayons aren’t bad either. You can get them for 17 cents for 24. However, she says don't be drawn in by name brands. According to Cooper, “Cheap ink pens write just as good as regular ink pens. We’re talking 33 cents to 88 cents." She says don't spend money on fancy pencils and stock up on erasers because they wear out before the pencils do.
Mrs. Cooper says the best deals on school supplies come once a year in July and August. She advises parents to through store ads for those five cent deals, because they won't be back until next year. Cooper headed to the register with what she believed to be about $175 worth of supplies. Turned out, it only came to $75. "Had some good deals, laugh." They were good deals – tracked down by an experienced bargain shopper. The experienced teacher says what she bought should last her until Christmas. She will save the rest of her allowance for the second half of the year, even though she admits the savings won’t be as good as the deals you can get right now.

SC Sales Tax Holiday: http://www.sctax.org/NR/rdonlyres/7157C42B-9C11-4698-A08D-093955585367/0/IL0811.pdf

NC Sales Tax Holiday: http://www.dor.state.nc.us/taxes/sales/salestax_holiday.html

Savings Tips for Back to School: http://www.msfinancialsavvy.com/article.php?aId=207

Tips For Back To School Supplies On A Budget: http://www.more4kids.info/498/tips-for-back-to-school-supplies-on-a-budget/

Save on back-to-school shopping:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/pf/20070802_school_tx_holiday_a1.asp