Can't Miss Back to School Deals

You may be wondering why I have been on the quiet side the last few days.  I have been busy getting my three kids ready for school.  This week we are having back to school registration days, girl scout planning meetings, appointments, and last minute shopping to do.  I believe my kids are pretty much ready now.  I have been buying on sale, and stocking up on basic supplies all summer.  The best way to shop for school supplies is to watch the sales flyers, and buy the items at their best price.  I have come across some can't miss back to school deals this week, so I thought I would share them in a blog post.  

Sorry about the glare in this picture. It was from the light over our kitchen table.  Staples has been one of my go to stores for supplies this summer. Each week they have offered 3-5 loss leaders at rock bottom prices.  We are always in need of scissors.  We have at least 5 or 6 pairs, but I swear they have legs because they are constantly wandering off.  This week's deal of 7" all purpose scissors at only .50 each was a can't miss.  They are normally $5.00 each. There is a limit of 2 per day.   I also picked up a couple packs of Paper Mate magic rub erasers. They are also only .50 this week. with a limit of two. They are normally $3.00 each.  Composition books are normally $1 each.  This week you can get 3 at only.10 each. The only catch with the .10 books is you need to spend $5. We spent it on a couple of items we needed, a pencil sharpener, and rubber bands.   It is well worth though, because of the coupon you get at checkout.  

At every transaction that I have made the last couple of weeks, I have received a $10 off $30 coupon for Kohls. What makes this coupon even better is it can be used

TOGETHER with other  Kohls special deals and coupons. I will share more about that in a minute.  

When we were out tonight, we also stopped at Rite Aid. They have a coupon in the ad that can be used on select back to school items that are on sale for .50.  Items such as 8 Ct Crayola Crayons, 12 oz boxes of chalk, Avery Big Tabs,  Mead Comp Books, Paper Portfolios, highlighters and more.  The in ad coupon is $1 off of 2, making them free with a Rite Aid Wellness Card.  We chose two more composition books as our free items.  With your Wellness Card, you can also pick up small bottles of Wet and Wild nail polish for only .69.   There were a couple more deals I was hoping to get, but they were sold out. 

On Monday night we made a stop at JCPennys.  There has been several $10 off of  $25 coupons in the ads the last couple of weeks. We had one in this past weekend's ad  that was expiring on Monday. (keep an eye out in case there are more coupons in the upcoming weekend)  In the junior section, I found camis, and tanks on clearance for only $2.99 each. (regular price $8)  Kara found a couple more shirts she liked on clearance.  The butterfly T-shirt was only $4, (regular price $10) and the striped double shirt was $8.99. (regular price $18)  Since we had the coupon, we got all  7 shirts for only $19.02.  The price per cami/tank was only $1.92 each after coupon, which is a great stock up price.   

We then went over to Kohls.  Kara is at that in between age where it can be hard to find clothes.  She is too small for juniors, but too old for some of the styles in the girls section.  She does enjoy Kohls, because they usually have a good selection of styles that are appropriate for older tweens.   We did spend a bit more at Kohls, but overall still had excellent savings.   Kara picked out a sweater, a T- shirt with vest attached, a ruffled shirt that will be pretty for picture day, 2 Tee shirts on clearance, a sweatshirt, something she won't let me mention or take a picture of, and a dress.   We got a great deal on the dress. It was originally $58. It was on clearance for 80% off for only $11.60. After coupons, we got it for only $9!  It even worked out that it was a size bigger than she normally wears so she should be able to wear it for quite awhile.    Kyle got 2 Helix T-Shirts, a Tony Hawk T-Shirt, and a Tek Gear Shirt.  I picked up for myself the orange T-shirt and the $5 Kids Treats book. All together the subtotal was $163.93 before coupons. Not too bad for 14 clothing items.  We saved $10 with one of the Staples coupons, and then another $22.34 with a 15% Kohls coupon. The final price was $139.49, with a savings of $193.41. 

My Savings by the Number 

Staples         $16.70    

Rite Aid        $2.60

JCPenny's    $48.98 

Kohls             $193.41

                      ---------------

                       $261.69

Not to bad for just a couple of hours of shopping! 

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Our School Shopping Adventure

We did some damage today, but overall,we saved a lot more than we spent.  First stop was JCPenny.   Two of these shirts were on sale, and two were on clearance.  I used a $10 off of $25 JCP cash coupon and a $25 gift card.  Spent $19.91 out of pocket, and saved $63.63. (according to the reciept)

I spent the most at Old Navy, but that is also were we got the most and the best deals.    I used a $5 off $25 coupon, and my $10 Old Navy Rewards certificate.  My second $10 coupon actually did not go into effect until Aug 5, so I still have that.   We spent $99.41 for everything  in the picture.  I saved $151.02 off regular prices (difference between tag price and clearance price than rang up  on the receipt ) and another $84.20 off with sales and coupons. (according to receipt)

At Payless, my daughter found the canvas slip ons on sale for $16.99 (regularly $29.99).  The cute white shoes were on clearance for $7 (regularly $24.99), and we were given a $3 off coupon which made the inserts FREE.  We spent $25.62 and saved  $33.99.

One of my daughters favorite stores is Forever 21. While we did not get items on sale,  their regular prices are reasonable.  We spent $84.91 at that store. You cant really see them in the picture, but there are two pairs of jeans for $10.50 each.  The striped tees were $8.50 each, the shiny top was $15.80 and the shirt dress $24.80.

Last stop was Charlotter Russe. There they were having a 50% off clearance price sale.  She got two pairs of pants and a dresssy blouse.  The jearns were only $4.99, the dress pants only $10 and the blouse only $10.  We spent only $26.48 and saved $24.98  I had given my daughter a budget of $100 at her two favorite stores at the mall (Charlotte Russe and Forever 21).  Since the blue/black striped shirt was mine and not in her total, she was extremly close to her budget.  She spent $102.38, which is probably the closest she has ever been to her given amount.  She tends to try and go way over like most teenagers.

Here is my daughter's new  back to school wardrobe.  Other thing a few last minute items we might realize we need, she is done.  She got 4 pairs of pants/jeans, 11 shirts, 2 pairs of shoes, 2 packs of socks, a pr of sleep boxers and a ring for $190.   The best deals were at Old Navy.  There I found  her two thermal henleys for only  85 cents  each. They were originally $14.50 markeed down to $1.97, but rang up .97. Then afeter my coupon discount, final price .85.  I wish they had more colors, or I would have went back for more.   The sock packs also from Old Navy, were also a great deal.   Normally $6.50 each, they were on sale $2 for 8, but  rang up only $3.45 after coupons.   The most expensive item she picked out was a shirt dress from Forever 21 that was $24.80.

I also bought her brother a few items from Old Navy  today. He now has 7 new shirts for a total of $23.17.  The polos were orginally $9.50, on clearance for $2.99, but only $2.62 after the coupons.    The green tee was on clearance for $4.49, but only $3.93.  I got the swim shirt for a final price of only $3.50.   I also got him three of the $4 graphic tees, that were only $3.50 after  the coupon discount. 

Little sister  also now has a couple new graphic tees.  All of this was only $13.56.  She LOVES animals of all kinds and I knew she would be thrilled with what I picked out.   Three of the tees were on sale for $4, but only $3.50 after coupon discount, and one was on clearance with a final price of $3.06. 

I ended up with a few items for myself.  I did not realize how much until I got it home.  I spent $38.78 for 8 tops and a pr of shoes.  My best deals were a thermal tee for .85, two V neck tees for $2.18 and the pink top for $1.73.

My final total for our back to school shopping trip out of pocket was $256.33.  Total saved with sales, clearance, and coupons was $357.82.  We  got over $600 worth of clothes for only $250, a savings of just shy of 60%.    And best of all, since my younger kids do not really need more clothes, we are officially done with back to school clothes shopping.  I dont have to fight the crowds in the next few weeks.. 

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