Back to School Shopping: Everything Your Student Needs for Less!

When do back to school sales start?

With most schools across the country beginning in mid-August, expect to see back to school sales as early as late-July. Back to school promotions usually run until the end of August or early September, and the end is usually marked by Labor Day weekend. It's best to start shopping early, as some products may run out as we get closer to the start of the school year. 

The best back-to-school school supplies sales

First on the list are school supplies: pens, paper, rubbers, rulers-- you name it, your kid will probably need it for the upcoming school year. You'll probably want to buy school supplies in bulk if you can - there is little more annoying for any of us than to be desperately scrambling around for a pen or pencil. The best places to go for this kind of thing are more or less where you'd expect: 

• Staples: currently offering school supplies at up to 78% off.

• Office Depot: this year you can get up to 55% off school supplies.

• Walmart: get free delivery on orders $35 or more. 

Where to find the best back-to-school clothing sales this year

Kids go through clothes - especially school clothes - like Homer Simpson goes through Duff Beer. You, therefore, need to make sure of two things when buying your kids a new school wardrobe: don't buy anything so expensive that you'll feel sick when they grow out of it in six months, and make sure whatever you're buying is durable. Oh, and make sure it's easy to wash! Thankfully, there are plenty of options that fit that bill in the back-to-school sales. 

• Old Navy: offering children's clothes up to 50% off. 

• The Children's Place: get up to 60% off back to school sale clothes and up to 50% off shorts, shoes, and uniforms. 

• Walmart: Get boys and girls fashion starting at just $10! 

The best back to school deals on laptops

These days, a kid can't really flourish at school without a computer. Assignments are handed in online, there are online learning portals, and - obviously - Youtube videos to be watched! But, much like with clothes, you probably don't want to get your kid the flashiest laptop possible - we've all watched in horror as soda pours onto the keyboard, totaling your new Macbook. Instead, you're better off picking up something reasonably priced, durable, and functional. For the perfect childrens' laptop, head over to one of the following, all of which have sizable price cuts in their back to school sales: 

• HP: offering $15 off all HP monitors. 

• Best Buy: where students can get $200 off tech products! 

• Lenovo: get PCs and laptops up to 75% off! 

Finding the best back to school shoe sales

Your kids will probably also need some new shoes for heading back to school - sneakers if they're allowed, or some smarter shoes if the school has a strict policy. Shoes - unlike a lot of the other things on this list - are something you don't want to be sparing the cash on. Supportive, good quality, comfortable shoes are vital to your children's development. Thankfully, however, they don't have to cost the earth, with some killer back-to-school shoe sales out there:

• Foot Locker: you can get 20% off your order of $99 or more. 

• Shoe Carnival: take $10 off back to school items when you spend $74.98

• adidas: back to school shoes are marked down as much as 50%! 

• Nike: save up to 50% on Nike shoes until August 8! 

The best back to school sales on backpacks

Now that you've assembled your children's wardrobe, stationary, and laptop collection, you're going to need something for them to put everything in - and is there anything cuter than a kid with an oversized backpack? I think not. The best places to pick one up? 

• Walmart: you can purchase backpacks for as low as $13! 

• Target: offering backpack sets, including lunch boxes, water bottles, pencil cases, and more for as low as $19.99! 

Back to school dorm furniture sales

Sending your child off to college for the first time? It's time to start planning their dorm room! While most dorms come furnished with beds, desks, and chairs, you'll need to stock up on accessories, such as bedding, small appliances, and decor. It's vital for your student's dorm room to be fully stocked with everything they need and for them to be able to decorate it however they please. Here are the top shops to check out for dorm room furnishings and decor deals: 

• Overstock: get dorm room essentials and decor starting at $19, as well as dorm bedding for $25! 

• Bed Bath & Beyond: offering college savings passes, valid through September 30, allowing college students to take 20% off of orders, in addition to free shipping on orders over $39! 

• Kohl's: get dorm room bedding for as low as $78! 

Save more on back to school sales during your state's tax-free weekend

Tax-free weekend is the perfect chance to save even more on back to school essentials. Whether you're shopping for your child's first day of grade school or furnishing a college student's first off-campus apartment, shop smart by taking advantage of your state's tax-free opportunity! While only certain states partake in the tax-free weekends, each state offers these discounts at different times. Here are the dates, listed by state, to plan to shop! 

• Arkansas: August 7-8 

• Connecticut: August 15-21 

• Florida: July 31- August 9 

• Iowa: August 6-7 

• Maryland: August 8-14

• Massachusetts: August 14-15 

• Mississippi: There are two tax-free weekends coming up, July 30-31 and August 27-29. 

• Missouri: August 6-8 

• New Mexico: August 6-8

• Ohio: August 6-8 

• Oklahoma: August 6-8 

• South Carolina: August 6-8 

• Tennessee: July 30-August 5 

• Texas: August 6-8 

• Virginia: August 6-8

• West Virginia: July 30-August 2