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A12 BUSINESS
Thursday 4 augusT 2022

How to save on school supplies by

tapping your community

place of worship to ask if
they’re leading a back-to-
school supply drive. If not,
consider making the case
for one.
For example, if there are
several school-age kids
who attend your place
of worship, ask leaders to
organize a fundraiser for
school supplies.
“See if they can help be
a partner, so to speak, in
both the administration of it
and in getting some mon-
ey,” Klokkenga says.
Back to school and office supplies are on sale at a Target store, Make sure to mention how
Wednesday, July 27, 2022, in North Miami, Fla. inflation has driven up
Associated Press these costs for many of the
group’s participants, she
By LAURA MCMULLEN of harder-to-get and more adds.
NerdWallet expensive items, says Mag- GET SECONDHAND GEAR
It’s that time again: back gie Klokkenga, a Morton, Il- FROM LOCAL MARKETS
to school, back to spend- linois-based certified finan- Using pre-owned supplies
ing so much money on sup- cial planner and owner of and clothes is both eco-
plies. And this year, families Make a Money Mindshift, friendly and usually cheap-
will have to shell out even through which she coach- er than buying new. The
more than usual because es clients on their cash flow. secondhand route is best
of inflation. Say that fine-tipped dry- for reusable items, such as
Thankfully, you can still erase markers are tough to clothes, backpacks and
save money on supplies find. lunch boxes, says Kari Lorz,
and other gear by leaning Rather than multiple par- a Salem, Oregon-based
on local parents, neighbors ents searching empty certified financial educa-
and community members. shelves and paying a pre- tion instructor and founder
Here’s how. mium collaborate. of Money for the Mamas, a
BUY IN BULK, THEN SPLIT THE Klokkenga, a parent of website devoted to help-
COSTS three school-age kids, has ing mothers learn about
You know who else is buy- tips for coordinating to save money.
ing the same supplies you on supplies. “It does require However, Field points out
need? The parents of your some behind-the-scenes that buying used is riskier
kid’s classmates. So join organizing,” she says. for supplies that can wear
forces. First, keep the number of down without you know-
Buy certain supplies in bulk people involved to under ing, like ink pens.
if the cost per unit is less 10, she suggests, “before it As for where to find used
than that of a smaller pack. gets a little hairy.” Gauge stuff, Lorz recommends the
Then split those supplies interest before proceed- Buy Nothing Project. Ac-
among other caregivers, so ing. Next, compare prices cording to its website, this
each person pays less than on those items you want to movement includes thou-
if they had gone solo. split. sands of local communities
Buying in bulk is a smart Amazon is a safe bet for ev- hosted on Facebook and
strategy for more general eryday essentials, she says, the BuyNothing app. In
items typically found on but office supply stores can these groups, members re-
classroom lists. be promising for large or- quest and give away stuff
These could include facial ders of classroom-specific for free.
tissues, disinfecting wipes, items. Lorz frequents her local Buy
plastic storage bags, pa- Finally, tell parents how Nothing group. She says
per towels and sanitizers, much the cost will be per it would be fine for a new
says Charles Field, CEO of person and request that member who hadn’t previ-
TeacherLists, a digital plat- payment. Buy the products ously given away anything
form that enables teach- only after everyone has to make requests. “There’s
ers to upload supply lists, paid. After purchasing the nobody keeping tally,” she
which retailers and parents items, arrange a pickup. says.
can access. REACH OUT TO COMMUNI- You may also find free or
Say your kid is supposed to TY ORGANIZATIONS discounted items in other
bring hand sanitizer. One Don’t want to coordinate local, online spaces, such
12-ounce bottle could cost that kind of effort? Klokken- as Facebook Marketplace,
$16. But buy a four-pack for ga suggests tapping exist- Nextdoor and Craigslist.
$36, and four people could ing groups. For in-person shopping,
each spend $9 per bottle. Call your public library, lo- seek out yard sales, garage
Also try this method for cal community center or sales and thrift stores.q