Seems like just yesterday I was rushing to get my little ones enrolled in summer camp, but now camp is ending and we’re rushing to get ready for school. Back-to-school season can be both hectic and expensive! A new study from American Express shows that the average family expects to spend about $800 on back-to-school shopping this year.
This year, I’m looking to save a few bucks so I can get myself a new fall wardrobe too! Here are my favorite money saving tips for back-to-school season:
Bring your own technology.
As Bargain Babe points out, schools are feeling the financial squeeze this year and there’s more need than ever before to help kids have access to technology at school. Bargain Babe has some great tips for saving money on electronics purchases. And if you want to help bring more technology into schools this year, take a few minutes to check out Intel’s new video at www.Amazon.com/Intel. We’ll make a $25,000 donation to DonorsChoose.org when 200,000 people view the video in August. Every view counts!
Ditch the energy hogs.
Paying attention to factors such as energy use by selecting computers that are energy efficient can help save money over the long run. Just look for the ENERGY STAR label.
Shop tax-free.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state that offers back-to-school sales tax holidays, take advantage of them! This helpful list from The Consumerist gives the details so you can mark the dates on your calendar.
Find the best deals.
I don’t know about you, but I love finding a good bargain. There are entire websites devoted to sleuthing and sharing the best deals. You can find great deals on everything from computers to textbooks using this list from Call On The Nerds.
Bring the deals to you.
If you don’t have the time to sort through hundreds of online deal sites, try using free apps like the iDeals from the Intel AppUp center.
Alejandra Carvallo is currently Manager of shopping marketing with responsibility for demand generation in the US. Alex joined Intel Americas in 2005, as Manager of the Consumer Marketing Campaign for Hispanics in the USA. She has over 15 years of hi-tech marketing experience creating successful campaigns for a electronic products. She has worked in both South America and the US for Alcatel, Stanford Telecom and Bell Canada. A native Venezuelan, she earned her bachelor's degree in Electronic Engineering from the Simon Bolivar University, Caracas, and obtained her MBA from Regis University, Denver. Alex spends her days being a marketing expert for intel and being a wife and mom of two for her family, always striking the work/life balance - trying to, at least. You can follow her at @AlexAtIntel.
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