From school supplies to school shoes they need ‘em and you have to buy ‘em. But where can you get high quality and the best deals? Here are a few tips to guide you.
Supplies
AMAZING SAVINGS–has 14 locations but only three reasonably close, Teaneck, Clifton and Monsey. Surprising lower priced than Staples; they have binders from 1” to 2” in size for only $1.99! Crayons for.99 cents and a substantial selection of backpacks for pre-schoolers through high-schoolers with prices starting as low as 6.99 and 8.99. Choose from brightly colored, licensed characters such as Marvel, Hello Kitty and Sponge Bob, to bags with attachable lunch boxes. If you have an older student some styles come with attached laptop cases priced at a remarkable 10.99, which is half the price of Walmart. they even carry stock on a sling style strap for just 9.99.
STAPLES–As a big box store they can afford to undersell the little guy, and they frequently do. Currently they are selling index cards (helpful to use for study cards) at a 100-pack for.48 cents; black marble composition notebooks.52 cents, 16gb USB 2.0 flash drive only $7, Bic 5-pack of.7mm mechanical pencils for just $1. Plus, you can access coupons on your smartphone at the register or download and print. A few notables are $5 off with purchase of $30 or more; FREE ream of copy paper, 10% off a single item (can’t be used together with $5 off coupon) and many, many more. Go to staples.com/coupons.
Tip: When shopping for backpacks or any supplies, it is best to take your kids along. The style choices are personal and they will be using these items for the next 10 months. While styles can go out of fashion, quality doesn’t. Buying backpacks can be tricky. Matching a color or style choice with high quality and comfort can be a challenge. The best practice is to load up their choice with several books and a binder to test the comfort, examine the straps and surrounding seams to gauge future performance.
Trending Girl Styles
FOREVER 21 has a dizzying selection of well priced items. None of the bottoms are kosher enough for yeshiva girls but they have super low prices on a fun selection of trendy tops, sweaters and jackets that work well with knee length skirts and add pizazz and punch to the same ‘ol dark skirts. Note their special promo offering: Spend $75 to save $10 and spend $100 to save $20.
TOMS, a sustainable shoe and accessory company, is offering free shipping on all $25 and up orders as well as $5 off your purchase. Their website is a marketplace platform offering everything from organically made shoes to coffee to toys and accessories. Focused on environment and social impact, their organic products and operations contribute to responsible employee life, sustainable philanthropy; providing a platform to ensure shoes and water are accessible to indigenous people. TOMS, uses a global supply chain that offers opportunities to their consumers. Turn buying fun comfy shoes and cool things into a chesed opportunity by supporting the Marketplace, a network of businesses doing business together. (toms.com)
CARLYZ CRAZE and BROOKLYN’S–Both Teaneck stores boast huge back-to-school inventory. Fashionable skirts from pencil to A-line to denim are available in many colors, prints and textures for both school and shul. A large selection of designer tops in three quarter and long sleeves, from the most basic black to the more unique specialty colors.
Trending Boy Styles
DENNY’S has two convenient locations in Bergen County, Englewood and Paramus. These stores have the hottest, the latest most up-to-the-minute styles for back-to-school. Shop their great selections on collared shirts for boys, outerwear, underwear and pj’s. Must haves basics for girls such as SugarLips tanks, sweaters, tops and more. Now through Labor Day they are offering and additional 25% off the already discounted selection. Plus if you are on their email list, scan your inbox for their email to get an extra 10% coupon (to be used with purchase of $200 or more, must present coupon).
CHILDREN’S PLACE offers great buys on collared shirts and pants. Classic Polo shirts in short sleeves $11 and long sleeve $12. Choose from button down short sleeve Oxford shirts in white and light blue now priced at 12.71 and long sleeves for $14 in stripes and solids and a selection of colors. Chino pants as low as $13.46, cardigans and zip-up hoodies for under $20. Join the mailing list and get an extra 25% off already low prices.
H&M and JCPENNY have many deals both boys and girls, pre-school through teens with an added 15% off your purchase. For an expanded deal list check out these
Online Back-to-School Coupon Sites:
Passion For Savings (Supplies) bit.ly/1tCZFSQ
Retail Me Not (Clothes & Supplies) bit.ly/VQCtDh
To a great school year for all our children, happy shopping!