23 Back-to-School Sales Hacks Every Smart Shopper Must Know

Feels like the kids just got out of school, but it’s already time to shop Back-to-School? Yep, if you want the best deals.

This is when retailers really ramp up the sales. Even if your school district doesn’t start until after Labor Day, plan to shop as early as July to get the best deals on everything from shoes and clothes, to laptop deals and face masks. Back-to-school shopping deals happen between the second week of July and the last week of August.

You’ve come to the right place to find the best school supplies sales out there.

First, you must follow KCL’s Back-to-School sales page (once you visit the page, you’ll have the chance to “opt in” for back-to-school emails). Then, download the KCL app to have KCL’s Back-to-School page and all the deals right at your fingertips.

Now, check out all the ways you can save when you’re back-to-school shopping:

 

1. Note stock-up prices before you start back-to-school shopping.

It’s so easy to know when to buy and when to wait for a better price while you’re doing back-to-school shopping if you have the KCL Back-to-School Stock-up Price List handy right there on your smartphone while you’re shopping.

Here are some snippets:

• 1-inch Binder stock-up price: $1 each
• Colored pencils, 12-count stock-up price: $0.50 per package
• Composition notebook stock-up price: $0.50 each
• Crayons, 24-count stock-up price: $0.50 per box
• Mechanical pencils, 5-count stock-up price: $0.50 per package
• Spiral notebook, 1 subject stock-up price: $0.25 each

 

2. Hit back-to-school shopping sales on Sunday and Monday—supplies run out quickly.

Weekly back-to-school sales at most stores start Sunday mornings, and the closer we get to August, the less likely inventory will be restocked.

Being the first to the sale merchandise will serve you well to not only make sure you get discount school supplies, but also that you get the item…at all.

Here are the best places to buy cheap school supplies.

 

3. Look for coupons before you go back-to-school shopping — especially on brands like Bic, Kleenex, and Post-it.

Printable coupons for school supplies become available while summer is still in full swing, so warm up your printer! Watch for manufacturer and store coupons from office supply brands during July and August.

Redeem the manufacturer coupons on sale items for the biggest savings. Specifically, look for:

• Magazine coupons are a fantastic source for back-to-school coupons.
• Sunday newspaper coupons from sources like Retail Me Not, SmartSource, and Procter & Gamble will have a few coupons for school supplies each week.
• In-store coupons are typically found on the shelves or inside products. Walgreens usually has lots of school supply coupons in the weekly ad at the front of the store.
• Check sites online for coupons, like 10% off Bic products, these Kleenex coupons, or these Post-it coupons.

Also, be sure to check out KCL’s Post-It coupons, Kleenex coupons, and Bic coupons to save some more!

 

 

4. Grab pens and pencils for almost free with coupons at the dollar store.

You can use your manufacturer coupons (like Bic coupons) on items at Dollar Tree to get cheap school supplies.

For example, if you see a coupon for $1/1 Bic stationery product, use it at your Dollar Tree on items marked $1.25 to get Bic-brand items like pens, pencils, and Cover-it for $0.25 each.

We got these for free in 2021, but thanks to Dollar Tree’s price hike, you may end up paying a little bit. Still a great deal!

Check out these other name-brand school supplies you can get at the dollar store.

 

5. Go back-to-school shopping for calculators at your local dollar store.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar should be your go-to stores when there aren’t back-to-school sales on items you need.

Shop for expensive supplies like calculators, planners, or clipboards at dollar stores to cut costs.

Sure, you might not find a graphing calculator at Dollar Tree, but you’ll find a basic calculator that’ll save you at least $10 – $15.

Here are more Dollar Tree haul savings tips.

 

6. Shop Target clearance markdowns for kids’ back-to-school outfits on weekdays.

I can’t tell you exactly what day to do back-to-school shopping for kids clothing at Target because it varies by location, but I can say it’ll be a weekday. Get friendly with your Target associate and find out what the magical day for shopping kids clothing is so you’re ready to get the best deals on back-to-school clothes.

If your kid really wants a back-to-school outfit that’s not on sale, check the price on Amazon before buying. Amazon carries familiar Target brands like C9 by Champion, as well as more common brands like Fruit of the Loom. All are free game for price matching too. Just show a Target cashier the Amazon price at checkout.

Get the complete guide to Target clearance so you’re in the know.

 

7. Don’t shop back-to-school supplies at Target without checking the Target app.

Never, I repeat — never shop at Target without the Target app ever again.

When you have the Target app, you’ll get access to Target Circle offers like a percentage off a certain department (ahem — school supplies!). *You’ll also get 1% back on everything you buy.

These offers aren’t always obvious when you’re in the store shopping. Sometimes a kind cashier will tell you about a Circle offer that applies to what you’re buying, but I wouldn’t rely on that.

TIP: *The 1% is only for non-RedCard holders. When you link your checking account to a Target RedCard, you can get 5% off everything instead of 1%. Target RedCard has benefits galore — it’s definitely worth considering!

 

8. Go back-to-school shopping for Target for $5 gift card deals.

Gift card deals can vary, but usually we’ll see Target gift card deals perfect for making your life and budget better for back-to-school, like:

• Buy 3 Hanes products, receive a $5 Target gift card (think socks and undershirts)
• Spend $50 on Tide products, receive a $15 Target gift card (think of all the extra laundry from extracurriculars)
• Buy 2 Pampers Diapers Enormous packs, receive a $15 Target gift card (moms of babies always need these)

When it comes to using Target coupons, you can still use manufacturer and store coupons, but for in-store purchases only. Here’s how to coupon at Target so you don’t miss a single trick!

 

9. In 2021, Apple back-to-school sale included free AirPods with select Mac and iPad purchases.

In 2021, you got get free AirPods when you purchased a Mac or iPad during the Apple back-to-school sale. Apple offered “education pricing” with savings of 20% on AppleCare, to boot.

This deal was targeted more toward college students, but with everything going digital, a nice laptop may be an option for your tween as well!

See more Apple deals and find out how to save on Apple products.

 

 

10. Shop tax-free if your state allows it.

Hey, is your state not on the list? Road trip time!

• Alabama: July 15 – 17, 2022 (clothing, computers, books, and school supplies)
• Arkansas: August 6 – 7, 2022 (clothing and school supplies)
• Connecticut: August 21 – 27, 2022 (clothing and footwear)
• Florida: July 25 – August 7, 2022 (school supplies, clothing, and computers)
• Illinois (reduced rate: 1.25%): August 5 – 14 (clothing and school supplies)
• Iowa: August 5 – 6, 2022 (clothing and footwear)
• Maryland: August 14 – 20, 2022 (clothing, footwear, and a backpack or bookbag)
• Massachusetts: August TBD 2022 (most purchases under $2,500)
• Mississippi: July 29 – 30, 2022 (clothing, footwear, and school supplies)
• Missouri: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing, computers, and school supplies)
• New Mexico: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing, computers, computer equipment, and school supplies)
• Ohio: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing and school supplies)
• Oklahoma: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing and footwear)
• South Carolina: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing, school supplies, and computers)
• Tennessee: July 29 – 31, 2022 (clothing, school supplies, and computers)
• Texas: August 5 – 7, 2022 (clothing, backpacks, and school supplies)
• West Virginia: August 5 – 8, 2022 (clothing, school supplies, sports equipment, and computers)

States like Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon are always tax-free states.

Learn more about shopping tax-free weekend, which retailers to visit and what items to buy.

 

11. Shop for back-to-school clothes at Old Navy on Monday morning.

Old Navy marks “price cuts” on Sunday, so typically I’ll try to hit the store Sunday night or Monday morning.

Unless there’s a specific back-to-school sale. In 2021, Old Navy ran a one-day sale in August where you could get 50% off most everything. We saw $8 kids graphic tees and $10 kids uniform shorts.

If you’d rather shop online, check out these Old Navy deals to guide your purchasing decisions. Also, read how to save every time you shop Old Navy.

 

12. Shop at JCPenney for back-to-school clothes with sales and coupons.

In early August 2021, shoppers could get back-to-school clothes and shoes for an additional 40% off (on top of sale prices) at JCPenney. A week or so later, we saw 50% off jeans and school uniforms for as low as $7.49 (polos, skirts, and more).

Here are a few more JCPenney shopping tips you’ll want to know.

 

13. Buy discounted gift cards from Raise and CardBear to save up to 26%.

Always check Raise and CardBear before you go shopping. You’ll end up saving a ton of money up front by purchasing discounted digital gift cards. Here are current savings you can get at some of the biggest retailers:

• Walgreens: 14.4% savings
• The Children’s Place: 7% savings
• Office Depot: 6.8% savings
• Michaels: 23.6% savings
• JCP: 12% savings
• Old Navy: 20% savings
• Staples: 4.5% savings
• Kohl’s: 5.1% savings
• Target: 10% savings
• Walmart: 12% savings

Find out why discounted gift cards are one of the best shopping tips out there. Plus, they’re easy to use!

 

14. Decode price tags in order to know if you’re getting the lowest. price. possible!

Every store has a different secret coding system, and learning how to decode the secret language of price tags is key in saving you money. Here are some examples:

• Gap prices ending in $0.97 are final markdowns, referred to as “price kills.”
• Old Navy clearance ends in a 7 or 9. Usually prices ending in $0.47 are final markdowns.
• T.J.Maxx yellow price tags indicate final markdowns.
• Kohl’s uses a square in the upper-right corner of their LCD price tag to indicate the item has reached the lowest price of the season.

 

 

15. Sign up for text or email coupons to save on back-to-school items.

Make sure you’ve signed up for all of these text and email coupons before you start back-to-school shopping, even if you’re buying school supplies online.

• H&M: Join H&M’s free loyalty program and get 10% off your next purchase, plus $5 in rewards.
• Gap: Sign up for Gap emails for a 25% off coupon (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up if you don’t get a popup to register).
• Kohl’s: Sign up for Kohl’s emails and get 15% off.
• Macy’s: Create a Macy’s profile and get 25% off your next order.
• The Children’s Place: Sign up for The Children’s Place text alerts and get 20% off.

Note that these will only work the first time you sign up. Here’s your guide to the best free store loyalty programs.

 

16. Shop Macy’s for dorm room essentials like $10 toaster ovens and luxury sheets for dirt cheap.

Deck your dorm room with the best back-to-school supplies for cheap.

In 2021 during Macy’s Black Friday in July sale, kitchen appliances like toaster ovens, blenders, and waffle makers, along with cookware sets, were just $10 after the sale price. Previous to 2021, Macy’s offered mail-in rebates on these items, but that didn’t happen, so don’t expect to see it in 2022 either. Even so, prices were low. Keep an eye on cheap appliances through the summer on our Macy’s deals page.

Last August we also saw $180 sheet sets on sale for as low as $29.99!

 

17. Purchase back-to-school backpacks online for up to 75% off.

If your kid is a little older, 6pm.com and eBags carry sportier, more stylish back-to-school backpacks and trendy brands than say, Walmart. They’re a bit pricier if you’re just looking at the bottom line, but the value is better. You’re getting a $128 bag for $42, for example.

Plus, if you shop their summer sales, you can snag hip bags without burning a hole in your pocket. (And if you’re interested in finding lifetime warranty backpacks, we can point you in the right direction.)

TIP: Sign up for eBags’ newsletter and get up to 15% off your first purchase. If you don’t get a popup with this offer, scroll to the bottom of the home page and you’ll see where to input your email address.

 

18. Spend your rewards from drugstores—CVS or Walgreens—on school supplies.

When you’re couponing at Walgreens or couponing at CVS, you’ll earn loyalty reward points that you can spend like cash at the store where you earned them.

A great shopping strategy is to use these points on back-to-school supplies.

Last August, Walgreens had back-to-school backpacks on sale for $4 during a BOGO free sale!

TIP: If you want to shop smarter, check out these Walgreens deals and CVS deals.

 

19. Buy markers and paint supplies from Michaels or JOANN.

Michaels and JOANN offer coupons and discounts every week. We’ve seen coupons for 25% off your entire purchase and 40% off one regular-priced item.

Michaels and JOANN both allow multiple coupons per transaction, as long as they’re different types of coupons. That means you can stack a dollar-off coupon with a percent-off coupon from a different source (mobile, mailer, etc.).

TIP: If you’re a teacher, you can save 15% on every order by enrolling in the JOANN teacher rewards program.

 

20. For one-stop back-to-school shopping, go to Walmart.

If you can’t wait for sales or stock-up prices or you don’t want to make multiple shopping trips, Walmart is your jam.

You’ll get everyday low prices, and when it comes to back-to-school supplies, Walmart lives up to the hype.

Plus, Walmart offers their NextDay Delivery service in select locations (if your Walmart offers it, you’ll see “Delivery” available when you look up your Walmart store online).

NextDay is only available for items labeled “NextDay eligible” — but lots of back-to-school items qualify, like some calculators, uniforms, and even school supplies like notepads and pencil cases. Just spend $35 or more to get your delivery free of charge.

While you’re shopping at Walmart, check out Walmart coupons. Also, learn how to coupon at Walmart so you have the insider info you need to save big.

 

21. Use rebate apps like Ibotta to save on school supplies after your purchase.

Rebate apps offer you cash back after you make a purchase and it’s super easy to do — just upload a picture of your receipt, and apps like Ibotta and Checkout51 will put money in your PayPal account.

In 2021, at Walmart, Target, and H-E-B, Ibotta offered rebates for free school supplies. You could get free notebooks, erasers, pencils, Kleenex and more.

Get the free ultimate guide to rebate apps so you know all the ins and outs.

 

 

22. Use the Amazon app to do real-time price checks.

Buying Amazon school supplies is a legit strategy when the price is right (refer to the KCL Back-to-School Stock-Up Price List, of course). Sometimes Amazon is cheapest.

To compare prices, use the Amazon app (iOS / Android) to scan the item inside Target or wherever you’re shopping. If Amazon’s price is cheaper, you could technically place an Amazon order right then and there.

Or you could just march that cheaper Amazon price that’s pulled up on your phone over to customer service and request a price match (at stores that allow price matching. More on this next!)

Check out these Amazon deals for even better ways to save! And don’t forget to shop during Amazon Prime Day for deep savings just before back-to-school season.

 

23. Utilize price matching at stores like Staples, Target, and more.

Use price matching to your advantage — especially when back-to-school shopping. These stores will all give you a competitor’s price when you bring in proof like an advertisement.

• Staples: Staples’ price matching policy claims they’ll match a competitor’s price on identical items, plus give you an extra 10% discount.
• JCPenney: JCPenney’s price match policy makes it so you can get a competitor’s price on identical items.
• Kohl’s: Kohl’s price match policy gives you a competitor’s in-store price if you bring the ad with you while shopping in-store.
• Target: Target’s price match policy will lower your price if you find the identical item cheaper on Target.com, a select online competitor’s site, or in a competitor or Target print ad.
• Office Depot/OfficeMax: Office Depot and Office Max’s price match policy will match an item if you find it cheaper somewhere else. Just bring in proof of the competitor’s price.
• JOANN: JOANN’s price match policy says they’ll match advertised prices on identical merchandise.