Back-to-School All-Stars: 99¢ School Supplies, Rewards Programs, & MORE
Plan ahead to save time and money. Learn about top deals, popular items, and exclusive rewards programs
Top Scorers for Back-to-School
Getting ready for the new school year can be a breeze with the right planning and shopping strategy. To make your back-to-school experience seamless, we’ve rounded up the top brands where you can find everything you need—from school supplies to clothing and electronics. Here’s our countdown of the best brands to shop for kids of all ages:
8. Kohl’s
Sale Starts: Mid-July
Sale Ends: Late August
Popular Items: LC Lauren Conrad clothing, backpacks, lunchboxes
Kohl’s offers a variety of deals on school apparel and accessories, including backpacks and lunchboxes. Look out for Kohl’s Cash and percentage-off discounts during their Back To School event, which helps you save on essential items for your kids.
According to a press release by Kohl's: "This season, families will find new brands, trend-right apparel and essentials, including hundreds of staples under $20, including tees, shorts, and denim."
Kohl's:
Kohl's Rewards: Earn 5% Kohl’s Rewards on every purchase, with 7.5% rewards if you use a Kohl’s Card. Earn $10 Kohl’s Cash for every $50 spent during promotional periods. Additional perks include a birthday gift, anniversary surprises, and exclusive savings
Coupons and Discounts: Save 35% when opening a Kohl’s Card, 15% off for signing up for email alerts, and 15% off by texting UTAKE15 to 56457.
Yes2You Rewards Program: Members of the Yes2You Rewards program earn 1 point for every dollar spent, and every 100 points earn a $5 reward. Additionally, members receive birthday gifts and exclusive offers.
7. Staples
Sale Starts: Early July
Sale Ends: 8/31/2024
Popular Items: Staples branded supplies, laptops, classroom organizers
Staples provides significant savings on a range of back-to-school products, including technology and office supplies. Keep an eye out for limited-time deals and instant discounts on select items to get the best value.
Staples
Staples Rewards Program: The Staples Rewards program offers members 2% back in rewards, free next-day delivery, and special savings events.
Tech and Print Services: Staples provides a wide range of tech services, including PC and mobile repair, as well as comprehensive printing and copying services.
20% off for teachers1 — teachers can enjoy 20% off through September 14 by downloading the Staples app.
Offer valid in store only. Limit one-time use app coupon with a valid teacher ID.
Staples also offers customers a same-day $10 off $30 in-store coupon4 when they recycle their backpacks and school supplies
Shop Staples School Supplies Under $1
Shop Staples School Supplies Under $1
6. OfficeMax
Sale Starts: Late July
Sale Ends: Mid-August
Popular Items: Maxell school supplies, Dell laptops, ergonomic chairs
Now part of Office Depot, OfficeMax offers competitive pricing on essential supplies and electronics. Look for promotions on office furniture and occasional clearance sales to find great deals.
Office Max
Rewards Program: Earn 2% back in rewards on supplies, furniture, technology, and services. Special rewards for recycling ink cartridges, plus exclusive members-only offers and discounts .
Current Promotions: Up to 50% off select furniture and up to 25% off on select school supplies.
5. Office Depot
Sale Starts: Late July
Sale Ends: Mid-August
Popular Items: Office Depot branded supplies, HP printers, desk organizers
Office Depot features bulk discounts on school supplies and special promotions on office furniture. Their rewards program often provides additional savings and cashback offers, making it easier to stay within budget.
Office Depot
Rewards Program: Earn 5% back in rewards on supplies, furniture, technology, and services. Special rewards for recycling ink cartridges, plus exclusive members-only offers and discounts .
4. Walmart
Sale Starts: Early July
Sale Ends: Late August
Popular Items: Mainstays school supplies, clothing, calculators
Walmart’s rollback prices and “Back to School” event offer discounts on a wide range of items, including notebooks, pencils, and backpacks. They also feature discounted electronics and tech gadgets, providing great value for your money.
Walmart
Current Promotions: Rollbacks and special discounts on a variety of items, including groceries, electronics, and school supplies
Walmart+: Walmart Rewards program available via the Walmart app, which allows you to earn rewards on purchases and redeem them for future savings.
Walmart+ membership offers a variety of benefits, including:
Free delivery: Free delivery from Walmart stores and free same-day delivery on some grocery orders
Free shipping: Free shipping with no minimum order
Mobile Scan & Go: Scan items with your phone while shopping in-store to bypass lines and speed up checkout
Fuel savings: Member prices at select gas stations
Video streaming: Free Paramount+ subscription included with membership
Early access: First access to promotions and events
Current Promotions: Rollbacks and special discounts on a variety of items, including groceries, electronics, and school supplies
https://www.walmart.com/help/article/walmart-membership/534c4edc29204a6bb15145a61146bf51
3. Best Buy
Sale Starts: Early July
Sale Ends: Mid-August
Popular Items: Laptops, headphones, printers
Best Buy focuses on tech deals, offering student discounts on laptops and accessories. Look for bundle deals that include essential software and services to ensure your child has everything they need for a successful school year.
Best Buy
Rewards Program: Best Buy offers a My Best Buy program where members can earn points for purchases, receive special member discounts, early access to sales, and free shipping on orders over $35.
Current Promotions: Discounts on a wide range of electronics, including TVs, laptops, and smartphones. Back-to-school deals are currently active .
2. Target
Sale Starts: Early July
Sale Ends: Late August
Popular Items: Up & Up school supplies, Cat & Jack clothing, Chromebooks
Target shines with promotions like buy-one-get-one-free deals on select school supplies and discounts on clothing and backpacks. Target Circle members benefit from extra savings and personalized offers, making it a top choice for back-to-school shopping.
Target:
Rewards Program: Target Circle offers 1% earnings on every purchase, exclusive deals, and personalized coupons.
Current Promotions: Back-to-school sales with discounts on school supplies, clothing, and electronics. Special discounts available for Target RedCard holders, including 5% off on all purchases .
Shop Target’s School Supplies Under $1
1. Amazon
Sale Starts: Early July
Sale Ends: Mid-August
Popular Items: A wide selection of school supplies, electronics, books, clothing
Amazon offers an extensive range of back-to-school essentials with the convenience of online shopping. Prime members can enjoy fast, free shipping and exclusive deals, while the vast product selection allows you to find everything from school supplies to the latest tech gadgets at competitive prices.
Amazon
Rewards Program: Amazon Prime offers free two-day shipping, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and other benefits.
Current Promotions: Amazon frequently has deals of the day, lightning deals, and special discounts for Prime members. Current promotions include back-to-school deals on tech, books, and supplies .
Home Stretch: Winning the Back-to-School Shopping Game
Planning your back-to-school shopping in advance ensures you have ample time to compare prices and take advantage of the best deals. Shopping early can help you avoid the last-minute rush and stock up on high-quality items at competitive prices, ensuring your kids are well-prepared for the school year ahead.
At Free Game Academy, we promote financial literacy through our youth mentorship programs, empowering students with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. By planning and shopping wisely, you not only set your children up for academic success but also teach them valuable life skills.
Free Game Academy Parenting 101 Newsletter
Why Planning Matters: Planning your back-to-school shopping in advance ensures you have ample time to compare prices and take advantage of the best deals. Shopping early can help you avoid the last-minute rush and stock up on high-quality items at competitive prices, ensuring your kids are well-prepared for the school year ahead.
Read More:
Ready, Set, Go! Preparing for a Stress-Free School Year
Amazon's Top 5 Back-to-School Essentials
Virtual vs. In-Person Tutoring: Which Is Right for Your Child?