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August 24, 2026

Read about our staffHello Friends,

I don't know about you, but back-to-school shopping isn't exactly my favorite errand. It's easy to just grab everything off the shelf and get it over with, because, well, the kids need their supplies and life is busy. But I've learned that a little patience up front can put real money back in your pocket.

One habit that's easy to overlook is waiting to finish your list. Most of us don't think twice about buying everything in one trip before the first day of school. The good news is that holding off on the big-ticket items for just one more week, until right after Labor Day, means you'll often catch the same backpacks, lunch boxes, and supplies at 40 to 60 percent off. That's the kind of simple, money-saving habit I love sharing because it keeps more money in your pocket without requiring much effort.

I hope this week's tip helps you stretch your school supply budget further this year. Sometimes the smallest wait delivers the biggest savings.

Also we have some special savings for Back To School (or great office buys) at PulseTV - See our Blog Here.

Be Well,
Anisa

Please add anisa@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

Why Timing Your Back to School Shopping Matters

Thrifty

Photo: Waiting until after Labor Day to finish your school supply list can mean deep clearance pricing on backpacks, lunch boxes, and more, the exact same items for a fraction of the price.

Retailers plan for peak back-to-school demand in late July and early August. Once that rush passes and the first day of school comes and goes, stores need the shelf space for fall and Halloween inventory, fast. That's when the real markdowns show up, often 40 to 60 percent off the same items that were full price just two weeks earlier.

Shopping the clearance instead of the rush means you get the same backpacks, lunch boxes, and supplies for a lot less money.

How To Do It

1. Buy only the essentials for week one. Grab a couple of notebooks and basic supplies to get your child through the first few days. Skip the big list for now.

2. Mark your calendar for the Tuesday after Labor Day. That's historically when back-to-school clearance pricing kicks in, as stores start clearing space for fall inventory.

3. Save your full list for later, not for the rush. Backpacks, lunch boxes, calculators, and bulk supplies like pencils, folders, and glue sticks are the categories that see the deepest markdowns.

4. Watch for clearance alerts. Check store apps and email lists for "final markdown" notices before stock gets pulled or donated. That's your window to buy.

5. Stock up a size ahead when you can. Backpacks and lunch gear on clearance now often become next year's supplies too, at a fraction of the price.
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It's a Small Wait With Big Savings

If you're able to hold off just one week past Labor Day, you'll often catch the same items at 40 to 60 percent off. It just takes a little patience and a mark on your calendar.

A little patience today can turn a $120 supply run into closer to $60 or $70. That's what living thrifty is all about: getting the most out of your money without much extra effort.

Got a tip of your own? Reply back to me, I love reading your tips and ideas!


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