I recently asked a friend of mine if she had started her back-to-school shopping yet, and she replied "I'm already done!" It's July 18th, and school doesn't start for over a month, so I figured I'd wait for the school to put out supply lists before I began. But she suggested that the supply list is fairly standard from year to year (glue sticks, notebook paper, etc.) and that she knows her kids need new backpacks and clothes, so why not start now and take advantage of sales and coupons available for the summer? I generally agree with her strategy, but my kids are growing so quickly I am always afraid of buying clothes a full month before they'll wear them, since their sizes could change drastically in a month.
But I realized her strategy can be used not just at department stores and school supply shops, but even at the grocery store, where I can stock up on items that won't spoil anytime soon, such as boxes of crackers or juice boxes. I always combine coupons and sales when there are deals at the grocery store, but haven't really been on the hunt for lunch box type foods this summer, although I'm going to start.
When do you start your back-to-school shopping trips? Let us know by emailing us at mobilecouponer@gmail.com.