How many of you remember standing in line at Shopko with a ridiculous number of notebooks because they were only $.10 each? I have vivid memories of my Mom in one aisle with a few kids, and my Dad in the other aisle with the rest of the kids (because of limits on notebooks.)

I know it’s still July, but the Back-to-School products are in stores. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to get the most bang for your buck, especially when your kids are grade school age and need all the things: crayons, markers, pencils, folders for each class, etc. I compared prices at four Northeastern Wisconsin stores that carry school supplies: Target, Walmart, Meijer, and Metro Market/Pick ‘n Save. I also checked prices at Dollar General and Dollar Tree.

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Target and Walmart have perfected back-to-school shopping, it’s not funny. You can access your school’s shopping list online, and they’ll show you the list of products available. One caveat, though: the stores do not always put the lowest priced items on the generated list. They do have a “shop similar” button that should give you more options.

Items listed below are the lowest prices available for both Brand Name and “Generic” versions. Sometimes you can get away with buying the House Brand, but I firmly stand with every art teacher who insists on Crayola brand for art supplies. I’m aware that there are many other school items that do not appear on my list. I tried to get a sampling of what grade school children are expected to bring.

Target

• Mechanical Pencils – $7.49 – 24 Bic
• Ballpoint Pens $.97 – 10 Bic
• Crayons – $.25 – House Brand
• Color Pencils $.50 – 12 House Brand
• Markers $.50 – 12 House Brand
• Folder – Paper $.25
• Folder – Plastic $.50
• Spiral Notebook – $.35
• Composition Notebook $.39
• Scissors $1.69 – 2pk House Brand
• Scissors – Fiskars – $1.59
• Glue $.25 – House Brand
• Kids’ Backpack – $5

Wal-Mart

• Mechanical Pencils – $4.47 – 24 House Brand
• Ballpoint Pen $.97 – 10 Bic
• Crayons – $.25 – House Brand / $.50 Crayola
• Color Pencils $.50 – 12 House Brand/ $.99 Crayola
• Markers – $.97 10ct Crayola
• Pencil Pouch – Small – $.97
• Folder – Paper $.25
• Folder – Plastic $.50
• Scissors – Fiskars – $1.59
• Kids’ Backpack – $5

Meijer

• Pencils $3.99 – 24 Ticonderoga
• Mechanical Pencils – $7.49 – 24 Bic
• Crayons – $.25 – House Brand / $.50 Crayola
• Color Pencils $.50 – 12 House Brand/ $.99 Crayola
• Markers – $.99 10ct Crayola
• Pencil Sharpener $.50 2pk
• Pencil Pouch – Small – $.99
• Pencil Pouch – Large $7.99
• Folder – Paper $.25
• Folder – Plastic $.50
• Spiral Notebook – $.35
• Scissors – $.89 – House Brand
• Glue $.25 – House Brand

Metro Market/Pick ‘n Save

• The stores did not win a single category, but there is currently a $5 off $20 purchase of School/Office Supplies (digital coupon)

Dollar General

• Dollar General has a $5 off $25 or $10 off $40 digital coupon good on Saturday, July 25th only.

Dollar Tree

• Pencils $1.25-24
• Mechanical Pencils $1.25-8
• Ballpoint Pens $1.25-12
• Backpack $5.00

Fans of reading may be interested in my other website, Bargain Sleuth Reviews. The majority of books I review are Advanced Reader’s Copies, which are given for free. Or I get my books to review from The Brown County Library.

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Fans of reading may be interested in my other website, Bargain Sleuth Reviews. The majority of books I review are Advanced Reader’s Copies, which are given for free. Or I get my books to review from The Brown County Library.