Indiana MoneyWise Back to School | Page 6

Don't be deceived by signs that claim something is on sale.

Carry that all-important list with you. You may snag savings when you least expect it.

Back to school savings

Learn to spot real savings.

Pay attention to things “on sale.” A brightly colored sign doesn’t equal savings! You need to know how much something normally costs before you know if you’re actually getting a bargain. PassionForSavings.com has a great list that shows you regular retail prices and the prices you should look for if you want to save. This can be a fun activity for your child. Ask your child to help you find savings. Remember our tip about passing on any savings. It’s great motivation to turn your child into your own personal bargain hunter.

Start early and shop often.

The U.S. Census Bureau states retailers bring in the most money on back-to-school supplies in August. Families spent $8.5 billion dollars at clothing stores and $2.0 billion at bookstores in August of 2012. Look beyond just August for your school supplies. Thinking about what you need for school all summer long may snag you savings when you least expect it. Also, waiting until after school has started might yield you savings when stores are trying to get rid of products to make room for others. Pricy items, like laptops and other electronics, require the most consideration before picking the one that’s best for you. The good news is that these items generally are as inexpensive as they’re going to be in August.