14 Ways to Find the Best Back-to-School Deals This Year

It's never too late to start thinking about back to school, even if school has just ended.

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Families spend a lot of money each year to prepare children for the start of the school year. For example, families with school-aged children expect an average of $848.90 for back-to-school supplies and materials. That's a total spend of $37.1 billion spent nationally, according to the National Retail Federation, which is an all-time high reported in the annual survey.

Families can save some of those expenses by planning for back to school and following a few basic steps along the way. You can get organized by using your favorite online calendar to plan your attack and keep tabs on budgeting for your back-to-school shopping.

Here are some great ways to save while getting ready to send your kids back to school with everything they need.

1. Start early with weekly shopping

Time to get organized and plan your back-to-school shopping. Prices change frequently, so you want to stay on top of possible sales for items your child might need in their backpack. Make a list of items you know will be needed for school, focus on stores with the best selections and prices, collect their sale notices and lists, and plan your visits to these stores by based on their balances.

It's a good idea to enter each store's sale period in your calendar to keep track of these discount periods. Then, for harder-to-find items, consider watching for price drops at a particular store with good discounts and buying even if you can't find them on sale to avoid the back-to-school rush.

2. You can delay the basics

Some school items are likely to drop in price as you get closer to back to school, such as paper, pens, and notebooks. However, there are also other ways to save on these items, so don't rush out early to buy the basics. Instead, focus on more specific types of supplies, such as a particular calendar or science equipment.

3. Browse everything for coupons

You probably have access to more coupons than you think. They arrive through direct mail sent to your mailbox, through junk mail containing coupons for specific stores, and even through flyers inserted into newspapers. Be diligent in scouring everything and everywhere for coupons.

For example, you can even search online for coupons and discounts for specific items. For example, Amazon frequently offers coupons on school and office supplies, so be sure to check out these great deals. Also, be sure to keep track of coupon expiration dates on your favorite online calendar to make sure you don't miss them.

4. Keep track of bargains to match prices

When comparing prices and collecting coupons, follow deals at office supply stores or retailers. Then you can use these offers to negotiate discounts at other retailers that match the prices. This is convenient, mainly when stocks are limited or sold out in the store offering the initial offer.

5. Sell what you don't need before you buy

Be sure to browse through old office supplies, equipment, and accessories to sell anything you no longer need for school. While you're there, check around the house for anything you can sell that is no longer in use. This will give you a good head start on the cash you'll need for back-to-school shopping.

6. Save when you buy in bulk

If you, a friend, or relative have access to bulk malls, consider buying items to save money. You can join forces with parents, friends, neighbors and other parents of students. Buy large quantities of things like pens, pencils, paper, tissues, crayons, brown paper bags, cleaners, and anything the kids need. Share the cost with your group and divide the supplies evenly.

7. Shop without your kids

An easy way to save money on back-to-school shopping is to leave your kids at home. When you take your kids to the store, they may choose more expensive items than necessary or ignore your efforts to save money. If your kids insist, leave a few things they need to buy for them to choose from a store...