It’s back-to-school time! And you know what that means! New crayons!!
Seriously, is there anything better than a freshly-opened box of crayons, where all the tops are neatly filed and lined up straight in a row? Or the look of a brand-new sharpened pencil, with the eraser square and pink, and the wood straight and yellow, with no teeth marks?
Only one thing could be better…and that is getting a great deal on school shopping!
At the end of last year, a facebook friend asked the rhetorical question, “Why wouldn’t anyone want to purchase school supplies through the PTA??” Of course, I had to comment, despite the fact that the question didn’t really beg an answer. I shared with her my reasoning, which included my previous bad experiences with EPI as a teacher not getting the supplies I needed and having to spend hundreds of dollars of my own money as a result; our generosity to the PTA in other ways which relieves me from the guilt of having to support every single fund-raiser offered; and the cost-effectiveness of doing it myself.
While each reason was valid, I had never really put that third one to the test. So I decided this was the year. I was going to see exactly how much I spent on school supplies and compare it to what was offered through the prepackaged deals. Here goes:
First, we have Trey. A stack of supplies ready to go to fourth grade. Here is what he needed and what I paid for each item:
4 100-count spiral composition books, wide rule $1.29 x 4 = $5.16
24 no. 2 wood pencils $0.50
2 packages 200-count wide rule notebook filler paper (I had to purchase 3 because they came in packages of 150, so this way we contributed MORE than was needed) $0.25 x 3 = $0.75
1 box 12-count crayola presharpened colored pencils $1.89
2 boxes 200 count Kleenex tissue FREE (we purchase these in bulk at Costco so I did not have to purchase these)
36 pencil cap erasers (I purchased an entire box of pencil grips and pencil cap erasers because they were so cheap) $0.25
1 2″ vinyl hardback 3-ring binder $4.99
1 package 8-tab index dividers for 3-ring notebook $2.39
1 purple plastic pocket and brad folder $0.25
1 green plastic pocket and brad folder $0.25
1 pair 7″ sharp fiskar scissors $2.79
5 grab-on foam pencil grips (purchased in bulk with the pencil cap erasers)
12 bic medium black clear barrel pens $2.00
1 nylon pencil bag, clear top with grommets 7 1/4″ x 10 1/4″ $1.99
TOTAL before tax: $23.21
Now, we move to Crisana. A first-grade supply list, which looks a little different.
6 large (22-gram) Elmer’s glue sticks (we purchased 12 of the smaller size because they were buy 2 get one free) $1.89 x 2 = $3.78
1 pair sharp 5″ fiskar’s scissors $1.34
1 box 20-count ziploc brand gallon-size bags FREE (we purchase these in bulk at Costco, plus I had a coupon for it)
12 Sanford Papermate no. 2 American pencils $0.99
2 boxes 24-count Crayola crayons (buy 1 get 2 free!)Â $2.39
1 box 100-count Kleenex tissue $1.89
1 green pocket and brad folder $0.33
1 purple pocket and brad folder $0.33
1 blue pocket and brad folder $0.34
1 yellow pocket and brad folder $0.33
1 red pocket and brad folder $0.34
1 red plastic pocket and brad folder $0.98
4 100-sheet count black marble composition books $0.50 x 4= $2.00
2 pink bevel erasers $0.79
1 package 12″ x 18″ assorted colors construction paper 50 count $2.99
1 package 12″ x 18″ bright white construction paper 50 count $2.99
2 Expo black chisel tip dry erase markers $1.50
1 package 100 count notebook filler paper (we purchased 150 at a much cheaper price) $0.50
1 box Crayola classic thick markers 8 count $0.50
1 fluorescent yellow highlighter $0.09 (yes, that’s 9 cents!)
TOTAL before tax: $24.40
This is compared to roughly $30-$40 or more as charged through the school. And I did it by watching sale flyers and timing errands with other things in the area. It was no extra gas or time for me and I certainly enjoyed watching the savings pile up along with the school supplies!