3 tips for budget-friendly back-to-school shopping

Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to be expensive. Follow some of these smart shopping strategies to help you cut costs before the new school year.

School supply lists often call for multiple quantities of an item, and if you have more than one child, those needs multiply.

• For some purchases, buying in bulk might save you money.
• Compare the cost of a single notebook with the price of a pack of notebooks and calculate the price per item.
• In the end, purchasing the five-pack of notebooks might drop the price of each item, making it a better value.

Pit store ads against each other by using convenient price matching policies.

• Some stores will match the in-store ad of a local competitor.
• Combining price matching with store-specific coupons allows you to secure the lowest price possible on your school supplies, resulting in big savings.

After school starts, many stores dramatically drop the price of their remaining school supplies.

• You can find must-have supplies, such as coloured pencils, notebook paper and scissors, at reduced prices.
• Look for items that you see on school supply lists every year, such as writing utensils, notebooks and paper, folders and binders, rulers and scissors.
• Added bonus: When your kids run out of supplies during the school year, you'll have backups on hand.

You don't have to pump up the budget every time a new school year comes around; instead, follow some of these smart shopping strategies to minimize your back-to-school expenses.