Back to School Supplies

Back to school supplies: How to get the best for less

It's that time of year again. Store after store is putting up colorful signs designed to grab your attention. Retailers are doing their part to let you know that school is right around the corner and that you should buy from them for a good deal. They are loudly proclaiming that they have prices that are lower than everyone else, and they are trying to convince you to buy from them buying their supplies is the only way to save money.

Don't believe them.

There are many ways to save money without relying on sales and gimmicks. For instance, when bought in bulk, packs of notebook paper are much cheaper than bound notebooks. So, you can save money by buying notebook paper in bulk and using it to fill three-ring binders. This will also let you add dividers and tabs, reorganize the page order and add or remove paper anywhere you want. Then, when school is over, you can unclip the sides, recycle the used paper, refill the binder with blank paper and reuse it the next year.

A good maxim to remember is this: NEVER buy a pen or pencil on its own. Stores will sell them to you, but at incredibly high prices, even if they are "on sale." Always buy writing utensils in bulk. Also, before going out and buying mechanical pencils, consider this: for the price of a single refill for a single mechanical pencil, you can buy a box of wooden pencils that will last for months - and wooden pencils are impossible to jam.

Calculators are cheap. Unless you need to use a scientific or graphing calculator, you can pick one up from almost any store, and it should work fine. However, this is not the case with laptops. While flashy and nice to have, laptops are almost NEVER necessary for schoolwork (unless the student is differently abled and cannot write), and much of the time, they are more of a hindrance than a help. However, if you absolutely must have one, your best bet is to find a used laptop because otherwise they are extremely expensive, even if all you need to do with them is text editing.

School Supply List

Buying school supplies is an annual tradition for many people. To some, it symbolizes the coming of the next cycle of effort and learning, and they welcome it with anticipation and excitement. For others, it is a nightmare and a sign of impending doom. Either way, it shouldn't have to be expensive.

As long as you stick to only buying what your child actually needs for school, you shouldn't notice too much of a dent in your wallet. Here's a list of the essential items that every child needs for school:

Kindergarten to Third Grade

  • backpack
  • package of pencils
  • package of pencil crayons
  • package of colored markers
  • 1-3 notebooks
  • package of lined paper
  • package of white paper
  • lunch bag
  • glue stick
  • pair of athletic shoes with non-marking soles (to be worn for gym class)
  • shorts and t-shirt to be worn for gym class
  • rain jacket
  • hat and pair of mittens (if you live in a cold climate)

Third Grade to High School

  • backpack
  • package of pencils
  • package of pencil crayons
  • package of pens (blue or black ink)
  • 4-5 notebooks
  • 2-3 binders (with dividers to allow for multiple subjects)
  • package of lined paper
  • package of white paper
  • calculator
  • ruler
  • combination lock
  • daily organizer/agenda
  • lunch bag
  • glue stick
  • pair of athletic shoes with non-marking soles (to be worn for gym class)
  • shorts and t-shirt to be worn for gym class
  • rain jacket
  • hat and 1 pair of mittens (if you live in a cold climate)
By Kristopher Chambers
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How can you erase majic marker from a pumpkin?
Posted on 10/9/2009 5:48:00 PM by Anonymous
Where is the fourth thru sixth grade school supply list??? Help... THX
Posted on 9/7/2009 2:17:00 PM by Anonymous
so much stuff
Posted on 9/5/2009 5:35:00 PM by Anonymous
Very helpful and cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! useful!
Posted on 9/4/2009 12:04:00 PM by Anonymous
cool list
Posted on 9/4/2009 12:01:00 PM by Anonymous
love ya list *!!!
Posted on 9/1/2009 10:45:00 AM by Anonymous
nice list :)
Posted on 9/1/2009 10:44:00 AM by Anonymous
Very useful list Thank you to who ever posted it !!!
Posted on 8/26/2009 6:46:00 PM by Anonymous
Thank you for the GREAT list!
Posted on 8/26/2009 12:52:00 PM by Anonymous
This list is for Canada, indeed, and if you're in the US, don't read this list, that's all. If you don't agree with what's in this list,.......you can have it your own way. Since you already had an idea, why read somebody else's and be mad?
Posted on 8/26/2009 12:49:00 PM by Anonymous
The school doesn't really matter.......the schools' expectations will almost be the same, so there is no need to tell people what school your kids are in .
Posted on 8/26/2009 12:46:00 PM by Anonymous
It was very useful!
Posted on 8/26/2009 12:44:00 PM by Anonymous
may yall please make the screen biger for we can see
Posted on 8/21/2009 10:02:00 PM by Anonymous
I need help with school supplies for 4 children of mine can someone help me please?
Posted on 8/21/2009 12:39:00 PM by Anonymous
I need back to School lists for a 1st grader and a 6th grader
Posted on 8/20/2009 5:07:00 PM by Anonymous
Sorry, I meant to say is this for Canada, Alberta???
Posted on 8/18/2009 4:06:00 PM by Anonymous
Is this for Canada???
Posted on 8/18/2009 4:06:00 PM by Anonymous
I Have To kids Going To School How Do U All Do It The Cost Of School Supplies Is Going Up
Posted on 8/18/2009 6:02:00 AM by Anonymous
I need Bel Air High School in MD 9th grade supply list
Posted on 8/17/2009 4:45:00 PM by Anonymous
I need back to school supplies for my daughter and I . Yes we are both in school. Kindergartner and college student, please help
Posted on 8/16/2009 3:59:00 PM by Anonymous
I need one for Penn Griffin Middle 7th grade.
Posted on 8/16/2009 11:33:00 AM by Anonymous
i need one for holland elementary school in virginia beach
Posted on 8/14/2009 4:16:00 PM by Anonymous
I think you should find out every state and district what supplies are needed. My childs school doesn't change for gym and half of the supplies you had listed are provided.
Posted on 8/14/2009 7:50:00 AM by Anonymous
I Need One For Andrew Lewis Middle School.
Posted on 8/13/2009 10:43:00 PM by Anonymous
you guys need a seprate from middle high elemarty
Posted on 8/11/2009 10:13:00 PM by Anonymous
beech grove middle school supplies what does my 7th grader need can anyone help me
Posted on 8/11/2009 12:34:00 PM by Anonymous
you should have middle school supplies list
Posted on 8/10/2009 6:19:00 PM by Anonymous
For middle-high school kids, a mead flex notebinder large wprks great for all our stuff! i am an 8th grader, and i have used a notebinder for a long time, and it never fails to amaze me! it acts like a notebook because you can flip it around so that you can write easier, and it works like a binder because it comes with 5 dividers(2 with built in folder and notecard holder, 3 with only built in folder) and it can hold 280 sheets of loose leaf paper, AND 3 notebooks AND 2 composition books without getting too big! i love this amasting notebinder, amd everyone should have one!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 8/6/2009 5:25:00 PM by Anonymous
will the kids need backpacks at bryrant elementary here in tulsa
Posted on 8/5/2009 9:04:00 PM by Anonymous
Im a 8th grader and i thought that this websitw was awsome. It helped me a lot!! Thanks
Posted on 8/5/2009 1:53:00 PM by Anonymous
thanks if i find them he or she
Posted on 8/3/2009 5:48:00 PM by Anonymous
I am a 7th grader and I found this site a verry useful and helpful site.
Posted on 8/1/2009 4:33:00 PM by Anonymous
Some of these people sending comments need to go back to second grade to learn how to spell, and use proper grammar in their sentences. Maybe their children should tutor their parents in English and Spelling. Lord help them if the children get homework help from their parents. Set better examples for the kids' sake, PLEASE. No wonder the drop our rate is so high.
Posted on 7/31/2009 10:57:00 PM by Anonymous
when will i be able to find the school spasific school supply list to start my school needs list for my to children kindergardener and 2nd grader i'm on a fixed income and anxiuos to sart buying as i can?
Posted on 7/30/2009 10:10:00 AM by Anonymous
everyone in schoolhates me they only use my for stuff so what should i do im in 7th grade-CASSIE
Posted on 7/29/2009 9:12:00 PM by Anonymous
I've been in summer camp and my school needs certian supplies and the school site just changed so it doesn't say what the supplies are now! do they usually carry a list at the store they did last year!
Posted on 7/28/2009 10:53:00 AM by Anonymous
i dont like it. for everyone talk to the teacher or call the school.maybe you can go to the school yourself.also third grade through high school dont have the same school supplies.
Posted on 7/27/2009 7:31:00 PM by Anonymous
this information really helped i hpe it helped everyone else who needed to know there school supplies.
Posted on 7/27/2009 5:47:00 PM by Anonymous
Thank you Kistopher for all you do!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 7/25/2009 3:39:00 PM by Anonymous
Where is Unity School Petersburg Tn Suppiles list for 5th grade. Ya need to make it easier to find.
Posted on 7/25/2009 1:19:00 PM by Anonymous
If you "misplaced" your school supply list you could try your school districts' or schoolc' website under Student, Back to School infromation. Make sure its for the correct year because teachers tend to completely change it year after year. Walmart usually has school supply lists for the schools and and school districts that surround it. P.S. What kind of school sends out school supply lists the last day of school or 1 week before school starts. I got mine 1 week after school ended, found some extra supplies around the house and lost it a few days later. I had to wait another month to copy it from the school website. maniacs want us to carry around 3 inch binders. Plus 7 notebooks, PLUS 4notebook paper, PLUS glue, scissors, hand sanitizer (i understand why) ....THE LIST GOES ON AND ON... HOPE I KINDA HELPED!!! GOOD LUCK AND DON'T LOSE YOUR MIND.....THE REAL WORK HASN'T EVEN STARTED. BLAH =P did i mention that last year they didn't even give us lockers and our hallways are full of them.
Posted on 7/23/2009 8:51:00 PM by Anonymous
this really helped. I have not recieved my supplies list in the mail yet, and it is already late July! ridiculous!!! thanks for the help
Posted on 7/19/2009 2:12:00 PM by Anonymous
you don't really know what size folder you will need in ihigh school.Teacher ask for different sizes so ya.i know because i am going in to the 10 th grade.
Posted on 7/19/2009 12:54:00 PM by Anonymous
i am moving from elementary school to junior high school and i dont now what to get so i was looking for websites when i found this one.
Posted on 7/18/2009 4:50:00 PM by Anonymous
thxz ive been bugging my paerents about it now i fannly no
Posted on 7/16/2009 5:20:00 PM by Anonymous
thank you so much forthe help.....without this site i would have had to shop at the last minute(thats when my school sends out supply list) but anyway thanks and i will write down this website so i can give it to my friends.. again, Thanks So Much!!
Posted on 7/13/2009 12:12:00 PM by Anonymous
thxz 4 the help
Posted on 7/10/2009 1:38:00 AM by Anonymous
do u know wen school starts in el paso texas
Posted on 7/8/2009 6:32:00 PM by Anonymous
why dont they they just write the grade levels like 1st grade then 2nd grade and on
Posted on 7/8/2009 12:24:00 PM by Anonymous
Please some1 who is in abby middle school abbotsford bc tell me what a gr 6 student needs cause my tchr didnt give any one in our class a school supply list.thank you very much! Sincerily your bud
Posted on 7/5/2009 11:37:00 PM by Anonymous
do you know when school starts in gilbert arizona
Posted on 6/30/2009 4:57:00 PM by Anonymous
do u known when school start in west virgina
Posted on 6/30/2009 2:32:00 AM by Anonymous
Could you please maybe post a list for advanced classes. For instance, it would be very pleasing to have a list that tells what you would need for the IB program. Next year I am going to William G Davis Senior Public School. It would be very great if I could get a list of school supplies that would be neccesary for advanced programs! Thank you very much! Sincerely Punalicious Aye
Posted on 6/21/2009 10:36:00 PM by Anonymous
do you now wene school starts thank you.
Posted on 6/19/2009 12:52:00 AM by Anonymous
your schools ROCK I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on 6/15/2009 7:06:00 PM by Anonymous
i nedd it for meck5
Posted on 5/31/2009 11:24:00 AM by Anonymous
My kids school has a program that offers school supply kits for sale through the school. They contain the exact items the teacher have requested and are delivered to the school. Make my life easy!
Posted on 5/28/2009 3:15:00 PM by Anonymous
thanks for the school suply list.
Posted on 2/22/2009 6:38:00 PM by Anonymous
Thanks for the super duper help!!!
Posted on 1/9/2009 9:14:00 PM by Anonymous
where can i buy the calligraphic pen made by sharpie, 2.5 ml point and only want black ink.....used to be able to get them at office max, office depot or michael's craft stores, not any more.
Posted on 11/7/2008 1:20:00 PM by Anonymous
show me four centimeter
Posted on 10/27/2008 7:57:00 PM by Anonymous
Thanks that was supe duper helpful!
Posted on 8/27/2008 11:31:00 AM by Anonymous
Remember that some schools ask for specific brands! My children's Elementary school asks parents to buy Fiskars child scissors and for Kindergarted 8ct. pk of crayola color crayons-regular sz. and no larger packages such as the 24ct. which is crazy because in the stores around here the 24ct is cheaper than the 8ct!!!!
Posted on 8/25/2008 12:14:00 AM by Anonymous
thank you for your information, although it is a good reference of the basics you still need to follow the supply list specifically for the school. All lists are similar but there is always little "extras" that parents/students need to buy so that the school can help keep down the budget. Having "extras" on hand throughout the school year will help out as well... buying before school starts is the best usually the best time to find discounts! stock up then while the items are cheap so that if you need an item half way through the year you have no need of paying full price! Thank you.
Posted on 8/25/2008 12:09:00 AM by Anonymous
You forgot ziplock bags in elementary. They always ask for ziplock bags. And thefolders need to have some with brads and some without and they need to be different colors as teachers specify which color for homework and such. In high school there are gym shoes, shoes to wear to school for cold weather or rainy days, shoes to wear for daily wear, and shoes for the family gym. Don't forget the protracter, compas, and color pencils (you will need two sets of these). Inevitably on the first day of school there will be a teacher that wants a 1" binder for the classroom - have it on hand. Buy the poster board early as the child will come home and announce the project is due the next day when they just got home from practice at 6, had dinner, worked on the other homework and it is already 8 PM. Be prepared. Have a craft box - keep pipe cleaners, glitter, confetti, markers, scissors, modeling clay, glue, metalic gel pens, construction paper, black paper, and whatever else you can find at the dollar store. This is another reference to the unexpected project. Keep your papertowel rolls and toilet paper rolls until you have at least five of each. Keep shoe boxes. Always have at least one plastic shoe box.
Posted on 8/23/2008 10:11:00 PM by Anonymous
GREAT STUFF
Posted on 8/21/2008 12:03:00 AM by Anonymous
these are helpfull tips
Posted on 8/18/2008 5:39:00 PM by Anonymous
Thank you Kristopher this article and these tips were very helpful. I shall pass it on.
Posted on 8/18/2008 3:28:00 PM by Anonymous
My kids go back in 1 week and I still have not received a school list. What do they expect us to do, buy everything the day before school starts? That is RIDICULOUS!!!
Posted on 7/27/2008 10:09:00 AM by Anonymous
This website helped me a lot to prepare for 5th grade because I lostmy schools supplies list given to me on the last day of school and the supplies were right here. Thanks to you I can have everything that I need to start a new grade!
Posted on 7/21/2008 10:32:00 AM by Anonymous
I really like this website because it makes a step forward in life so kids are always prepared for the future.
Posted on 7/21/2008 10:29:00 AM by Anonymous
I am just going into high school! :D i am very excited but i want to go being orginized and having everything i need. This site really helped me so thank you! I am going to be orginized and prepared thanks to you!
Posted on 6/30/2008 2:36:00 AM by Anonymous