8 Money-Saving Tips for Back to School Shopping From DealTaker.com

Stay on Budget and Save Time on School Supplies, Clothing, Dorm Room Essentials and More

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Aug 01, 2011, 11:42 ET

PLANO, Texas, Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is winding down and anticipation for a new school year is building. Back to school season means shopping for new clothes, school supplies, computers, textbooks and dorm room basics. The market research firm Morpace reported in 2010 households with school-age children spent an average of $404 on back to school items. To make the most of those dollars, shopping experts at DealTaker.com have put together these 8 tips:

Wherever possible, look for bargains from sites that post deals and discounts. Read Frugal Back to School Shopping tips for more ideas on how to get bargains on the basics.
Stick to the school district's lists of required supplies, and avoid the fancy stuff. Light-up erasers, pencils with feathers, and binders that play music are a distraction for teachers and students. DealTaker.com provides a general list of basic clothing and school supplies for elementary, middle/high school and college students.
Some teachers send home a list of supplies for specific courses such as musical instruments, art kits, graphing calculators and sports equipment, so look for these items online where you can find deals for 50%, 60% and even 70% retail prices.
Start by gathering pencils, paper, scissors and other items that are still in good condition and sitting around the house. Also, clean-out the closets and hand down clothing to younger siblings, but be sure to mix in fun new outfits too so they don't feel left out.
Shop for clothing and supplies during a state sponsored tax-free shopping day. Find a list of states offering a 2011 back to school tax holiday.
Look for bargains on name brands when quality counts. Getting a great deal on a cheap backpack isn't so great when the zipper breaks in October. Name brand crayons, color pencils, markers, binders and dry erase supplies all tend to last longer,
Buy in bulk at online stores like Bulk Office Supply or Walmart to save money this year and next, but be sure to send just the items needed to school saving the rest for future semesters.
Once all supplies are purchased, organize and label them with each child's name. This reduces the need to purchase additional school supplies later in the year.

About DealTaker.com

DealTaker.com is the premier destination for consumers looking to spend less and get more. A free coupon site for shoppers to share and take deals, DealTaker.com makes it easy to save on merchandise and services including food, travel, electronics, home furnishings, jewelry and pet supplies, among others. Founded in Plano, Texas in 2004, DealTaker.com works with more than 2,500 stores, close to 75,000 followers on Twitter and more than 280,000 deal-sharing members to provide over 9,000 active coupons and deals every day.