Having three children heading back to class I need to watch every penny! I watch ads use coupons and always check for discounts codes when shopping online. My children need everything from shoes to backpacks to books and markers. Each has a different list and they are all long. Sandra Hanna, co-founder of the Smart Cookie, shares her tips for savvy back-to-school spending below.
Hold Off On Trendier Gear
Thirty-four per cent of Canadian parents feel the pressure to purchase trendy items to help their child fit in at school. The problem is, trends come and go – and often very quickly! Kids may love a certain lunch box or pencil case they find in August, but once school starts and they see that their friends are all using another kind they’ll beg you to upgrade. Hold off on the more trendy purchases until school starts rather than spending double… it will pay to wait!
Cheapest Isn’t Always Best
When it comes to items your kids will use all year round, like backpacks, it pays to invest in quality. Think about price for longevity and factor that into your cost comparison. However, don’t forget that you can still find a great deal on a high quality backpack for about $40, especially if you stack your savings. Doing a quick search on sites like RetailMeNot.ca will help you find promo codes for some of your favourite retailers and brands, saving you a few dollars on that backpack.
Go For Reusable Lunch Supplies
Don’t waste money on plastic utensils and paper napkins that get thrown out after only one use. If you throw away bags and bottles, you’re basically throwing your money in the garbage. Instead, use cloth napkins, real flatware and reusable containers for food and snacks. It pays to invest in products like LunchSkins which are BPA- and phthalate-free reusable snack and sandwich bags that can go in the dishwasher. It’s a small investment, but they last forever.
Deals Aren’t Just For the Kids
Despite 43 per cent Canadians feeling back-to-school can be a financial burden, the shopping season can also bring a ton of sales! While you’re stocking your kids up for the school year, don’t forget to take advantage of the lowest prices of the year on computers and other office equipment. If you’re in the market, now is the time to save on that new laptop you’ve been eyeing from top retailers like Best Buy.
Share Your Shopping
Forty-four per cent of Canadian parents agree back-to-school shopping is stressful, so why not share the stress and costs? You can save money by buying school supplies in bulk especially if you split the cost with another parent. Compare shopping lists with friends and neighbours to see what you both need. By buying in bulk at stores like Costco and splitting the cost, you can save money for the more expensive items.
RetailMeNot.ca is a digital offers site that compiles the best in-store and online deals for some of your favourite retailers. Relatively new to Canada, RetailMeNot.ca aims to help every Canadian develop savvy spending habits on everything from clothes to more practical purchases like savings on school supplies!
Back-to-school often means back-to-spending, and it’s usually not on yourself! For this back-to-school season RetailMeNot.ca wants to encourage you to spend more to save more.I was able to find savings on most of the items my children needed. TOMS shoes had a $10 off discount code.
My son needed all of his athletic clothes replaced as he is still growing! So I was happy to find a code for free shipping.
Back to school season in our home means new clothes for all. Sears has a great guarantee on their clothing for young children. If they grow out of them in the school year they will replace them. They also have a lifetime wear out guarantee. So shopping there make sense. Adding in a copupon coe and we have a bonus!
If you still have back to school shopping to do, you will want to check out RetailMeNot.ca and start saving now. The more you spend, the more you save!
RetailMeNot.ca wants to help you save this BTS Season with a $100 prepaid Visa card. Fill out the form below for your chance to win. Good luck!
Disclosure- This post was brought to you by RetailMeNot.ca All opinions are my own
Probably Old Navy or Swiss Chalet
Amazon!
Indigo!
I love Under Armour! Great to know we can get discount codes for them, I had no idea! Will be using the winnings on Under Armour for sure!
Possibly at Kobo
I may spend it at Old Navy.
probably old navy,
American Eagle!
I'll be spending mine at Home Outfitters
Old Navy
I would spend it at Amazon.
Maybe under armour or toms.
I will be going to Michaels. I always need craft supplies.
I would spend it on groceries!
I'd spend it at Footlocker on their $10 of 50 purchase for a pair of new shoes.
I would be spending it at Shop.ca
I'll spend the visa at Costco!
Sephora!
My daughter is an Under Armor fanatic…she would be treated!!
Old Navy and or Sears. They have nice kids things.
Footlocker
I like Old Navy.
I would have to say Shop.ca – gotta stock up on baby supplies!
Old Navy!
I would spend it at American Eagle. Thanks!
I would spend the visa at Canadian Tire.
Probably Old Navy
Old Navy. they have awesome deals going on right now
It would probably be Old Navy!
Old Navy!
I would spend it on Old Navy!
I would spend it at Home Outfitters. Thanks for the chance.
Sears and amazon.
I would spend it at old navy
I would probably use it on Canon so I could stock up on ink
I'd probably get me some new fall makeup at Sephora.com
Staples
Indigo and Home Outfitters.
Indigo!
Swiss Chalet. thanks
Probably staples as there are always school items we need
I'll spend it at staples.
Staples need to get some stuff for my computer.
I'd spend it at Old Navy on school clothes!
Walmart is my favorite.
I would spend it at either Old Navy or H&M.
I'll be shopping at Amazon.ca if I win
OLD NAVY
I'd spend it on Amazon.
I will spend it at best buy
I would be spending it at Staples.
I'd probably pick my fiance up something from Under Armour; he loves Under Armour! 🙂
old navy Labour Day Sale – Up To 60% Off Everything
The Body Shop would be on my list
I think I would treat myself to something at Old Navy!
I would spend it at Canadian Tire 🙂
best buy! 🙂
Costco or Best Buy
I would spend it at Amazon!
I would use it at staples for office and back to school supplies
Old Navy!
I will be spending it at Old Navy as they have the pants – the ONLY pants – my son wears.
M
Bed bath and beyond
Most probably Best Buy
Old Navy
I will spend it on Old Navy.
I would spend it at Sears if I won and get some back to school clothes for the kids! Thanks for the chance!
shop.ca
I would use it at Old Navy
Old Navy for me!
Canadian Tire
I would probably spend it at Under Armour.
Would be spending it at Sears
I will most likely be spending it at Old Navy
Old Navy is in walking distance to me,so I would go there.
I would be spending it at Amazon.ca
Reebok and Old Navy
I would spend it at Indigo.
Staples for sure!
Old Navy & Home Outfitters
American Eagle
I would probably spend it at Costco or Staples.
Either Old Navy or American Eagle is where I would spend the money when I win.
SEARS
walmart
Amazon.ca or Old Navy!
If I win, i would spend it on well.ca, a retailmenot.ca partner. Well.ca has a lot of healthy items at affordable prices and always has sales going on. Good luck all.
Old Navy I can usually get the best value for the $$ there
It's a toss up between Old Navy and Indigo…do they partner with Carters too? So many great shopping options!
Old Navy or michaels. Thanks
most likley American Eagle
Old Navy
Probably at Old Navy, I spend way too much time shopping online at their site. 🙂
on amazon.ca
Amazon
For me it'd probably be Carter's/Oshkosh for my grandchildren 🙂
Either Home Outfitters or Swiss Chalet.
Dell Up to 50% off select electronics & accessories + Free shipping
I would love to use it at Amazon!
That's a hard one. Probably the Shopping Channel!
My recent post Dear Family: We're Breaking Up.
We would love to go to Mark's Work Warehouse or Amazon.ca
Amazon 🙂
I would choose Old Navy or Children's Place.
I will spend at Amazon They have such great stuff.
Staples for Back to School Supplies!
I will spend it at Amazon for sure!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂
Maybe Shop.ca… Honestly, they've got a a lot of great partners so it's difficult to choose!
Old Navy
the bay
Indigo or Old Navy
maybe home outfitters would be nice, or any of the other good stores available.
I would use it at Micheal's.
Chapters!
I would choose Old navy or Amazon.Thanks for the chance!
american eagle!
I would spend it at Indigo
I would use it at Under Armour!.
I'm not sure–either Michael's or Old Navy.
Amazon all the way
Old navy
Swiss chalet! I don’t want to cook!
PROBABLY USE IT WITH ONE OF YOUR 50% Off 1 Regular Priced Item
Walmart for sure!
Old Navy or Indigo. Can never have enough clothes or books, lol.
I'd spend it at Home Outfitters.
I would be spending it at best buy .
I would spend it at Old Navy.
I always check for deals before I buy something! old navy, chapters, toys R us…
I'll be shopping at Home Outfitters or SourPuss!
I would probably spend it at Staples or Sears.
Amazon!!!
WOULD SPEND ON AMAZON
Staples or Shop.ca
Hudson's Bay
Michaels of course! One can not have enough crafting supplies!
Either Old Navy or The Children's Place
American Eagle!
Walmart.ca for me.
I would be spending the gift card at Sears.
If I win I will probably spend it at Walmart because they have a wide variety of things.
I'm going to spend the Visa at staples
If I win I will spend the visa at Sears
Old Navy or Bath & Body Works
I'll use the gift card at amazon.ca . Christmas is fast approaching.
I'll be spending the visa gift card at Best Buy because I need a new printer.
At Old Navy.
I would probably spend it at Staples.ca
Sears!
Home Outfitters
I would spend mine at Home Outfitters and get my daughter all ready for University
Home Depot
The Source!
Michaels to help out with my wedding stress
I love Amazon
I would spend it at best buy store.
If I won, I'd spend the card at shop.ca.
I'll be spending it at amazon.ca
I would probably use it at Staples.
I Would love to on old navy or lululemon 🙂
I think I might spend it at Old Navy-new clothes for the kids.
i would spend it at shop.ca
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Holy batman. Amazon of course. Pick me, pick me! Your next winner!!! Show me the money!!! It would be a dream come true and means more to me than anyone else to win. Starving artist here desperately needs the Visa gc to shop and eat. Winner, winnner. Chicken dinner. A life changing experience. Top of my bucket list. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. Dear Santa: I’ve been nice. My X-Mas wish this year is to win this contest.
I'll probably using it for Home Outfitters
I think I'd buy myself some new Toms!
I would likely spend mine at Sears!
Old Navy so I can buy my mom some clothes.
Probably at old navy or carters osh kosh.
25% Off Old Navy Merchandise
I would for sure spend it at Chapters!
Definitely Amazon!
Staples, I need new printer cartridges!
I will be spending it at Old Navy!
So there are way to many good ones to choose from BUT I think it would be a toss up. I could spend it easily on pants for my growing tween at Old Navy. OR I could save it and use it at Porter for the next conference I am attending next month. Either way it would be useful. Plus I love that you can use it at Best Buy too.
I will be using this Visa at Carter's OshKosh, new clothes for my grandchildren.
I'll be spending mine at Home Outfitters but many great places to use it
Amazon!!!!
spending mine at Home Outfitters
The children's place, most likely.
I would probably use it at oyacostumes.ca. Halloween is coming!!! 😀
I'd spend mine at pizza pizza
shop.ca
Old Navy 🙂
Indigo!
Amazon.ca it has everything 🙂
Probably be spending it at Old Navy.
Old Navy
old navy
Definitely Old Navy.
Walmart
I would spend it at old Navy
Either sears or the bay
I will probably use it at Old Navy.
If I win the visa gift card, I would be spending it online at sears, which is a partner of retailmenot.ca. They have a sale going on now of 50% off winter sale of clothing which is a great deal.
I would probably use it at well.ca
PIzza, Pizza would be handy!
Old Navy
I'd be spending my card at marks if I won. They have a great coupon code up right now!
I would spend the Visa gift card at Mark's Work Warehouse.I love that store and was glad to see it was on the RetailMeNot.ca list. 🙂
I'd be spending mine at Pizza Pizza & Old Navy
Amazon
I would spend it on Amazon
Amazon or Sears.
Popeyes
Either Old Navy or Sephora 🙂
Michaels
I would be spending it at Sears or Old navy.
The Bay!
Amazon
Indigo!
SSENSE or Amazon
I would be spending at shop.ca to get $60 Off Ugg Boots + Free Shipping
Home Outfitters!
I'd have to say Old Navy,…..
Mark Work Wearhouse for new work shoes
Old Navy
Would choose Amazon.ca
I would love to spend $100 at Staples! I don't go there unless I have money because I want to buy everything!!!
oh my so hard to choose!! probably home outfitters
Shoppers Drug Mart for some essentials.
Old navy