You’re already on a budget, and asking parents to cover more costs isn’t the best way to start off the year. Use one or more of these frugal shopping tips to stretch your classroom budget and be sure you have everything you need when the first day of school rolls around.
Barter
You found an amazing deal on dry-erase markers and loaded up… but you still need those handy 24 packs of crayons. Look within your own school or network to see what other teachers have an abundance of crayons, but who need your markers. In many cases, you can swap for what you need and benefit both classrooms
Team up and Save
It’s no secret: buying in bulk can cut costs. Team up with a few other teachers to pool your funds and buy what you all need for your classrooms. In some cases, that bulk order will be too much for your kids to handle; but if several educators team up, you can really cut your costs. You may not need 100 pairs of scissors, but chances are you can find two other educators to buy them with you.
Ask Social Media
The parents you know, other teachers and even business people in the community may have the supplies you need just sitting around. You can often access what you need for free or at extremely low prices; from yarn for crafting to paper and writing tools you may be able to find what you need simply by spreading the word.
Apply for a Grant
Sharpen your pencil and your grant writing skills; a grant could help you afford the items you need for your school year. The Association of American Educators and NEA Foundation all offer information or actual grants that can help you purchase what you need.
Planning and making a list of what you need can help you snag a great deal when you see it and ensures that you don’t end up with dozens of erasers, but no pencils for your classroom. Classroom Direct’s goal is to help you make the most of your budget, so whether you’re shopping solo or pairing with a group, we can help you find amazing deals for your classroom.
