You'll probably pay more for school supplies — how to find deals and what you need

Have you received your child's school supply list and thought "I wonder how much this is going to cost me?" Chances are more than you have spent before.

With widespread inflation and lingering supply chain issues due to the effects of the pandemic and workforce shortages, this year could be a doozy on the back-to-school budget. However, here in Vermont there are some strategies you could use to see savings and ensure you get everything on your list.

So, break out that calculator − and then send it along with your student to school. They may need it for math class.

How school supply prices and inventory have been affected in Vermont

National trends suggest inflation has pushed up the cost of goods, including school supplies, by 9.1% over last year. However, you can expect to spend 27% more on back-to-school purchases when compared to three years ago, in 2019.

A Deloitte poll showed 64% of American families felt they couldn't afford back-to-school shopping this year without using a credit card or dipping into savings. Those numbers reflect purchases that include clothing and footwear.

Vermont is certainly feeling the effects.

You can see the difference in prices year over year, particularly with brand-name products. Sharpie, for instance, is more expensive than last year, according to Andrea Clark, who is an Inventory specialist at the Staples store at Maple Tree Place in Williston.

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She said while prices may be a little higher overall on many products, you can find lots of savings by shopping store brands.

So far inventory is good, according to Clark, but that could change as we near the start of school. Here in Chittenden County, most schools start during the final days of August or after Labor Day in September.

Currently, much of the inventory is out on the floor at Staples. Clark said you can see boxes filled with similar product stacked near their display. This allows people who want to buy in bulk, such as teachers, to do so more easily.

Ways to save on back-to-school shopping

There are a variety of areas where you may be able to save a few bucks.

It can be frustrating to see back-to-school ads everywhere as many southern states are ending their summer break now, weeks before we will here in Vermont. But, it can be a great time to find some end of summer deals. Keep your eye out for back-to-school specials and coupons, and this applies to online shopping as well.

Some states have a tax free holiday in August where the sales tax is dropped temporarily. This could mean saving the 6% in tax you would normally pay in Vermont. With a 9% increase on goods due to inflation, you could be paying just 3% more on average if you're not paying sales tax.

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Connecticut and Massachusetts are the nearest states with sales tax holidays. Making the trip may make the most sense if you can combine it with a planned vacation so that the gas money to get there doesn't eclipse the savings. The Massachusetts holiday is Aug. 13 and 14 when sales tax will be exempt on retail purchases for single items that cost less than $2,500.

One of the best ways to save on supplies, according to Clark who has worked at Staples and Target, is to buy store brand items. "If you have your own brand you can play with prices, which is helpful to the customer," she said.

At Staples you can get 35 cent notebooks, a 50 cent package of 24 crayons or pay 50 cents for a composition notebook. While your list may call for some particular brands, there are a lot of cheaper store brand items that can help even out expenditures. Clark says you can get Staples brand tape, markers, pens, post-its and lots more.

Check off those items before they run out

One of the best things you can do to ensure you find everything on your list is to not wait until the last minute to shop. The inventory and selection is better the earlier you make your rounds. Clark said back-to-school season is their Christmas. So just like shopping in December, expect stores to run out of some products and there to be long lines just before the start of school.

Clark said their lines can back up from the register to the bathroom on particularly popular days. With staffing shortages affecting workers and training new people on the register, she asks for patience from customers.

Teachers are often supplying their classrooms as well. So, while there may have been 30 folders available one day, they may be gone the next having all been purchased at once.

There are two Staples in Chittenden County − the other one is on Williston Road in South Burlington. As some of the most well known office supply stores, they could attract families from all over the county.

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Places to get school supplies that may not be top of mind

Hoping to avoid where every other student might be getting their supplies − such as Staples, Walmart and Target? Here are some alternative places to look. Some of these may have loyalty programs that can help you save on other purchases later.

Drug stores like Kinney Drug, CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid usually have the essential school supplies on hand. Your local grocery store can also be a place to find pens, pencils, markers, crayons, highlighters and paper. Don't forget they are great for purchasing those tissue boxes and disinfecting wipes on the list, which can be more expensive at an office supply store.

Dollar stores are a good place to look. There is a Dollar Tree in Burlington and Essex Junction and a Family Dollar in Essex Junction.

Art supply stores often have the markers, crayons, glue sticks, scissors and paper. There are local art supply stores such as Vermont Art Supply or you can try Michaels or JoAnn Fabric.

Vermont is also known for its local general stores. Many may have some of the products you need.

You can also shop online and have purchases delivered to your preferred local store so you don't have to pay shipping.

Contact April Barton at abarton@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1854. Follow her on Twitter @aprildbarton.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Save money on back-to-school supplies even as costs are up