Aside from school fees, school supplies are the other major expense that parents must incur at the beginning of each academic year. While some art and school supplies wear out quickly and need to be replenished every few months, some are redundant at the back of the closet all year long. Read these quick tips to help you shop for art and school supplies more judiciously.
See, think, analyze and then buy
Before the start of each academic year, most schools usually provide parents with a list of school supplies and stationery items to purchase. The most common school and art supplies needed are notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, paper, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, glue, geometry box, coloring paints or crayons, folders, and other similar items. These school supplies and stationery items are essential in the child’s early years of school and as the child progresses academically, some art and school supplies such as crayons, pens and sketchbooks are no longer needed and are replaced by new ones. such as brushes, protractors, compass, graph books, etc.
This is where, before buying new art and school supplies, it is always a good idea to think and analyze whether each stationery on the list will be used by the child or not. Secondly, first searching your home cupboards for any stationery you already have is a good idea to avoid buying the same stationery items over and over again. Also, some school supplies and stationery items like color charts, folders, paint brushes can also be used next year, so always check what can be reused from last year’s stock of art and school supplies.
Buy in bulk to save money and time
Buying stationery in bulk means that you not only save time and energy spent on making regular trips to the stationery store, but you can also end up saving more money. Most online stationery and supply websites offer additional discounts on bulk school supply purchases and combo deals. Therefore, buy school supplies that we will use more often, such as pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, graph paper, etc. in additional amounts. This way, you’ll always be prepared for any sudden depletion of your stock of art and school supplies and for any unexpected projects or work around the house.
Backpack Basics
The school bag is also another basic item and therefore should be selected carefully. While young children like Barbie and cartoon character school bags in attractive colors and designs, older children prefer to buy brand-name backpacks in more solid colors. Although the color and design of school bags is an individual choice, as parents you should definitely check the material and durability before proceeding with the purchase. Also, a bigger bag is not necessarily better. The school bag should be lightweight and have enough extra pockets and space to keep books, notebooks and stationery in order.
Power your child’s education with technology – choose a computer, laptop or tablet
Aside from stationery, as kids get older, it’s a good idea to supplement their education with technology. A computer, laptop or tablet can be useful aids for children, helping them to see, think and explore a whole new world of knowledge and information. Additionally, many online electronics websites offer deep discounts on computers, laptops, and tablets, as well as allowing easy payment options like cash on delivery, EMI options, and more. So, give your kids the technological edge and it is sure to be a beneficial purchase in the long run.