Teaching Expenses: Cutting Costs

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picture courtesy getideas.org

I have always spent a ton of out-of-pocket money on classroom expenses. Always. And I know a host of my teacher friends do the same. With the way budgets have been cut and the PTA (if you’re lucky) not able to offer as much, unless you want a blank, dull looking classroom (not a good thing in an elementary classroom) it’s almost a given that teachers are going to eat a few paychecks for the sake of their classrooms.

I’m always looking for ways to cut costs, even on basic supplies. Here are a few sources that I have found that seem to have a pretty good return on a percentage of costs I spend on classroom items.

Scholastic Book Clubs.  I have mentioned before how much I love scholastic. Not only can you earn free books for your classroom library by parents ordering books, but you can also earn points to redeem on items in the bonus catalog. I’ve been able to use my points to get higher-end items like learning carpets, easels, bookshelves and the such for classroom use. You can also get good prices or use your points on actual teacher resources. The best time to gain a ton of points is as soon as school starts. Scholastic offers so many extra points for certain increments of dollars spent and if you don’t have parents who will order, you can still order as a teacher and get great books at a reduced cost while still earning points.

Craft store school discounts.  If you have your teacher badge or can get a copy of school letterhead with your principal certifying that you are a teacher at the school many craft stores (like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby) will give you a percentage off on your entire purchase. Even if you are only purchasing $50 worth of items, every small savings is money back in your pocket. Just ask the manager if they give school discounts and what their policy is.

Ebates. Oh my gosh! This is my new favorite! I always thought this was a huge gimmick until one of my friends started using it and was getting money back. If you go to www.ebates.com and search for the store you want to shop at (Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target and Groupon included), click on the store and shop away! You’ll earn a set percentage back that you will receive in the form of a check each quarter. This works for all of your personal purchases too.

Wal-Mart Savings Catcher App. I spend a ton of time in our local Wal-Mart. If you download their app and scan your receipt Wal-Mart genies will check competitors prices and refund you the money if there is a lower price. The catch to this is that the money you get back is in the form of an e-certificate that is only good at Wal-Mart, but hey, every little bit helps. Target has something similar called Cartwheel, although there are only certain items you can use it on.

Half-Price Books, Barnes and Noble. Be sure you get your educator’s card. Sometimes Scholastic doesn’t have a book I need, or I need it NOW so I hit up one of these stores. You can save up to 20% on certain days off of the purchase of your items.

Depending on where you are located there are sure to be dozens of other places where you can get discounts year-round. Find a manager and ask. You may end up saving a ton of money over the course of the year!

How do you save money without cutting corners?[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]