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School Supplies: Walmart vs. Target Head To Head

August 27, 2010 by Tara Kuczykowski 17 Comments

School Supplies Pencils Erasers August 07, 20103
Photo by Steven Depolo

We’re down to the wire on Back To School shopping, and for many of us, kids have either already started or will be starting next week. The National Retail Foundation estimates that the average family will spend $96 on school supplies, which is nearly 10 percent more than last year. Is it too late to score a good deal, or are there still deals to be found if you know where to look?

I headed out to my local Walmart last week with ABC 6 On Your Side to see what we could find out. You can check out that segment here.

After leaving Walmart, I headed over to Target to do a price-for-price comparison. To be completely fair, I didn’t use any price matching or coupons, and I only compared like items of the same brand and size. I have to say the results kind of surprised me:

As you can see, Walmart and Target came out dead even. I completely expected Walmart to top Target with their everyday low prices, but then again, I live in a very competitive market.

Of course, if you’ve been a savvy shopper and stocking up on the loss leaders since the deals started in late June/early July, you’ll have picked up the same list for a fraction of what you’d spend right now. But in all cases, we’ve ended up far below the retail average.

What are some tips for saving on last-minute Back To School supplies?

  • Make a list — If you create a list and stick to it, you’re going to ensure that you get everything you need in one trip. This is especially helpful if you have several students. Combine all of their lists into one master list, and you’ll save yourself a huge headache.
  • Take inventory — I know my kids came home with bags of unused glue sticks, pencils, erasers, scissors, etc. at the end of last year. Don’t let these items go to wast. Take them into consideration when making your list for this year. Likely you’ll find many of these items listed once again.
  • Do your homework — Gather up those current sales ads and see what the prices are like this week so you can plan your trip accordingly.
  • Save on gas — Utilize price matching so you’re not running all over town. Carry all of your ads into a store and have that store meet the advertised prices. Walmart and Target both offer this service, but in my opinion Walmart has the advantage here because they will do it right at the register without the additional hassle of lugging your items to the customer service desk.
  • Don’t forget your coupons — More and more schools are asking parents to supply classroom items outside the traditional school supplies. Items on our list include things like hand sanitizer, Clorox Wipes, Kleenex, and Ziploc Bags. You’ll find coupons available for all of these items in the Deal Seeking Mom Coupon Database.

So where would I choose to shop given the fact that Walmart and Target were evenly matched in this case? For me it comes down to ease of use.

As you can see in the news segment, my Walmart store was well organized with wide aisles and everything located where I could quickly and easily get in and out. Target, on the other hand, looked like a war zone. I spent a good 30 minutes trying to find all of the necessary items on my list, and several items were out of stock, which left me heading back to Walmart to finish up my supply list.

So what store is your first choice for purchasing school supplies? If you’ve already shopped, did you come in above or below the national average of $96?

I am a participant in the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation to perform the above shopping comparison. Participation in this program is voluntary. All opinions are my own, always have been, always will be.

Filed Under: saving money Tagged With: back to school, back to school deals, saving on school supplies, school supply deals

Back to School Deals: Hot Deals Week of 8/8/10

August 10, 2010 by Deal Seeking Mom 1 Comment

Back to School Deals

Photo by Rebeca Falcó

Have you started shopping for school supplies yet? I’ve put together a roundup of the best available deals this week to help you stock up for less. Come back every week for a new list!

:: Pens, Pencils, Crayons & Markers

  • Walgreens — Pilot V5 Precise Pens (2 pk.), FREE after stacked coupons
  • Office Max — Schoolio Crayons (24 ct.), $0.05 (Limit 3)
  • Office Max — Paper Mate #2 Pencils (10 pk.), $0.15 (Limit 3)
  • Kmart — RoseArt Crayons (24 pk.), $0.25 (Limit 4)
  • Office Max — Schoolio Washable Fine or Broad-Line Markers (8 pk.), $0.25 (Limit 3)
  • Walgreens — Penway Pencil or Pencil/Crayon Sharpener, $0.29
  • CVS — PaperMate Write Bros. (10 ct.), Caliber Pens (10 pk.),$0.50
  • CVS — Mechanical Pencils (5 ct.),$0.50
  • CVS — #2 Pencils (24 ct.),$0.50
  • Staples — BIC Round Stic Grip Ballpoint Pens, $0.50 after coupons
  • Kmart — RoseArt Colored Pencils (12 ct.), $0.50 (Limit 4)
  • Kroger — Paper Mate Highlighters (6 ct.), $0.99
  • Kmart — Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils (10 ct.), $1 (Limit 4)
  • Target — Sharpie Fine-Tip Markers, $1
  • Staples — Paper Mate Retractable Gel Pens (4 pk.), $1 after coupons
  • Kmart, Target — Expo Dry Erase (4 pk.), $1 after coupon
  • Office Max — Expo Dry-Erase Markers and Sets, B2G2

:: Notebooks, Folders, Binders & Paper

  • Staples — 8×10 Filler Paper (120 ct.), $0.01 (Limit 5)
  • Office Max — Schoolio 2-Pocket Folders, $0.01 (Limit 6)
  • Office Depot — Paper Portfolios, $0.05
  • Walgreens — Penway 2 Pocket Folder, $0.09 (limit 4)
  • Rite Aid — Mead Notebook 1 Subject College or Wide Ruled (70 ct.), $0.25
  • Staples — Dividers (5 tab) or Sheet Protectors (10 pk.), 2/$1 after coupon
  • Office Max, Office Depot, Kroger — Composition Books (100 ct.), $0.50 (Limit 3)
  • Kmart — Filler Paper Wide or College Ruled (150-ct.), $0.50 (Limit 4)
  • Staples — Multipurpose Paper (500 sheets), $1 after rebate
  • Office Depot — HP Multipurpose Paper, $1 after MIR
  • Office Depot — Construction Paper, $2
  • Office Depot — Spiral Notebooks (6-pk.), $3

:: Glue & Tape

  • Staples — Scotch Pop-Up Tape Dispenser, better than FREE after coupon
  • Target — Scotch Magic Tape, FREE after coupon
  • Walgreens — Elmer’s Glue Sticks (2 pk.), $0.19
  • Staples — Elmer’s School Glue (4 oz.), $0.49 after coupon
  • Office Depot — Elmer’s Washable School Glue (4-pk.), $2

:: Rulers & Scissors

  • Office Max — Plastic Protractor 6″, $0.05 (Limit 3)
  • Office Depot — Schoolworks 5″ Scissors, $0.25
  • Staples — Flexible Ruler or Protractor, $0.29 after coupon
  • Meijer — Blunt Tip or Pointed Tip Student Scissors, $1 (Limit 10)
  • Office Depot — Westcott Twist-It Flexible Ruler, $1

:: Other Deals

  • Target, Kmart, Walmart — Post-It Super Sticky Notes, FREE after coupon
  • Office Depot — Bookcovers, $0.25
  • Staples — Penway Pencil or Pencil/Crayon Sharpener, $0.39 after coupon
  • Kmart — Paper Mate Pearl Erasers (3 pk.), $0.50
  • Kmart — RoseArt Pencil Toppers (40 ct.), $0.50
  • Target — Standard-Size Book Cover, $0.50
  • CVS — BIC Wite Out Quick Dry, Shake n Squeeze or Correction Tape, $1 after coupon
  • Meijer — Backpacks, B1G1 for $1
  • Walgreens — Corner Office Sheet Protectors (50 pk.), $1.99
  • Kmart — Crayola Model Magic, $2
  • Office Depot — Day Runner 2-Year 2010-11 Academic Planner, $4

Filed Under: deals Tagged With: back to school deals, school supply deals

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Hey there — nice to meet you!

I'm Tara: mom of 5 teens/tweens and one 80-lb. Weimaraner, who fancies herself a lap dog. Born and raised in Ohio (GO BUCKS!!!), my fave things include cooking + baking, my JEEP Rubicon, the 4x4 beaches at OBX, and checking out the local craft beer scene...
 
As you can imagine, all of this puts a good dent in my monthly budget. So I've learned how to save on the things I NEED, so I can spend on the things I WANT. Read more.

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