Where did the summer go?  The commercials on television and the weekly circulars are screaming--SUMMER IS OVER- TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.  Oh, the dreaded back to school shopping, how it has changed since I was a kid.  All my mom had to buy us was a few new clothes and some new shoes--perferably something in style and not bobo sneakers.  If you were lucky you got a new lunchbox,  a notebook and some pencils.  If you were really lucky, a pencil box, too.  Well that has all changed in today's world.  Schools barely have the money to buy books let alone basic school supplies so the burden now falls on the parent.  Schools print lists of required materials and distribute them to the local stores like Walmart and Staples.  Shoppers find themselves accosted with the lists as soon as they walk across the threshold of these stores.  Back to school can be a very costly deal. 

I noticed this past Sunday as I looked through the Sunday circulars that there are a few deals out there.  RoseArt crayons and markers can be had at a relatively low price.  Wirebound notebooks are relatively cheap in stores from Shoprite to Staples.  It is the large items that can really tax a parent.  The older your child is; the more you understand this statement.  Elementary students get away with just stationary items whereas the High School Student requires much larger and costly electronic items.  Many School Districts are requiring such goodies as Scientific Calculators and Laptops.  I don't know how the average family can afford it. 

At the elementary level, I recommend that the consumer check all the Sales Circulars carefully, comparing the deals.  Places like Walmart, Staples and Waldgreens (Happy Harrys - in DE) usually have at least one or two great deals per week up to the first day of school.  Last week I bought my grandson (age 3) a box of fat crayons for $ .19 at Waldgreens ... a few weeks ago Staples sold the bic stick pens for a penny.  Walmart and K-Mart are usually the best place to find inexpensive notebooks, backpacks and lunch bags. 

Now for those more expensive items, the first advise I have is:  do your homework before you buy.  Look first.  The operative word here is LOOK.  Do not buy without doing some research first.  I had to replace my laptop last fall when mine was stolen.  The first thing I did was decide what I needed in the laptop...memory, accessories and so on.  Then I visited a couple stores:  Best Buy and Comp USA to compare the different brands.  I asked friends which brands they recommended and I googled Consumer Reports and a few PC magazines to get their recommendations.  While I was in the stores I took notes as to the prices of the laptops that I liked the most.  Next back to the computer, google CHEAP LAPTOPS or something similar.  You will find a large list of online stores that will give you the best prices.  Compare what you want with what they have to offer...this takes time.  TAKE THE TIME.  It will save you money now and money in the long run.  Make sure that you are getting the most for your money.  Two of my favorite online stores are:  Comp USA and Tiger Direct( http://www.tigerdirect.com/email/WEM2364.asp?SRCCODE=TIGFACEBK&cm_mmc_o=m21CjCd-2HPRRsCjC2zF5zbTECjCmAFFwyjKwzkl ).  You want your laptop to last longer than a year and believe me there are some out there that are not worth the money you pay for them. 

Thoughout this joyous season-back to school shopping---lol, I will try to hook you up with a few deals to make your ordeal go a little easier.