As school winds down and the start of the summer holidays is just around the corner, the normal response is to pack all the school supplies up and not think about it again – at least for a few months. The problem with that approach is that you may miss out on some great sales and money-saving opportunities. To make sure your child is set for the return to school without breaking the bank, here are four money-saving tips for back to school supplies and gear.

Start with a List – Don’t Make Assumptions

One of the best ways to save money is to only purchase what is needed. With the school year wrapping up, this is the perfect time to take stock of your kids’ supplies, dispose of things that are old or not useable, and make a list of all the missing items. Chances are you will think of a few random things as you get closer to back to school, but you can at least get started on the list now.

Don’t Purchase a Desktop at a Regular Price

Nowadays many students are expected to be able to do homework and assignments on a computer at home. This means you need a good quality computer that is suitable for a student’s needs. At the same time, there is no reason to be paying top dollar or full prices, as there are plenty of student discount desktops available. This is even more important as your “child” enters the college years and they need a better, more powerful computer. Seeking out a discount will make it affordable.

Start Watching the Sale Flyers

Just as you will find computers on sale, you’ll also find other back to school items on sale. School supply sales start as early as mid-July, and you’ll see the fall clothing start to hit shelves in August.

Footwear is another thing that typically needs to be replaced yearly, especially if your child is young and still growing. Again, watch for sales starting in mid to late July. You don’t want to risk not being able to find their size simply because you waited until the last minute.

To make sale shopping a little easier, try checking out the many apps that are dedicated to listing coupons and deals. You can also visit brand and store websites as many will have discounts and promotions that aren’t available in-store.

Dollar Stores and Thrift Stores Can Offer Fabulous Deals

If you want to get serious about saving money, be sure to check out the dollar type stores and thrift stores. You’ll find an array of items on your list for heavily discounted prices.

The only downfall with these locations is that you never know what you’ll find there. Some locations will be better than others, and inventory varies weekly and even daily. You may need to visit a few locations throughout a couple of weeks to get everything you need.

These tips will help you to save all kinds of money on back to school supplies. All it takes is some planning and a watchful eye so you catch the sales and deals as they pop up.