How to buy school supplies and not overpay

What are the ways to save

1. Arrange an audit

If your child is not a first-grader, surely there are school supplies suitable for further use in his closet. Old pencils - to sharpen, from half-written notebooks - to tear out clean sheets for drafts, a fabric pencil case - to wash in soapy water, dirty erasers - to clean on thick paper or sandpaper.

You look, it turns out that your student is one third full.

2. Make a list and follow it clearly

In order not to buy too much, ask your class teacher for a list of necessary stationery. Specify how many pages should be in notebooks (12, 18 or 24) and whether they are purchased centrally.

If there is no connection with the teacher, write down the most necessary things on the sheet. Don't buy anything "just in case." You will always have time to purchase what is missing later when you really need it.

In the meantime, here is an approximate list of school supplies for the first time (taking into account the fact that various little things like erasers are constantly lost, forgotten, goes into the pencil cases of classmates).

Notebooks in a cage and a ruler (oblique - up to the third grade, although in some schools they switch to a regular ruler earlier), 12 sheets (elementary school) or 18-24 sheets (middle and senior) - 5-10 pieces each.
Notebook covers - 20 pieces.
Diary (if not ordered at school) - 1 piece.
Folder for notebooks - 1 piece.
Sketchbook - 1 piece.
Pens with blue paste - 3-4 pieces.
Simple pencils - 2-3 pieces.
Colored pencils - 1 set (for a first grader, six primary colors are enough).
Colored paper and cardboard - 1 pack.
Glue stick - 1 piece.
PVA glue with a brush - 1 bottle (20 ml).
Rulers - 2 pieces.
Scissors with rounded ends - 1 piece.
Sharpeners with containers - 2 pieces.
Erasers - 2-3 pieces.
Pencil case - 1 piece.

3. Refrain from globes and notebook stands

Although these two things are associated with school, many children never use them.

The globe takes up precious space and collects dust. Coasters, as a rule, are not very convenient: little hurrying people often tear the sheets when they try to quickly turn the page of the textbook. And also these unstable iron structures fall noisily. To place the book at an angle on the table, just place a pencil case under it.

4. Do not pull to the last

Check the list at least two to three weeks before the first call. There is still no flea market in stores, the assortment of goods is wider, and the sellers have not inflated the cost on the wave of general excitement. The most affordable prices for popular stationery and the best choice, oddly enough, are provided by chain hypermarkets where you go for groceries.

5. Team up with other parents

Buying goods together is always cheaper than one by one. You don't have to team up with the whole class. For a small wholesale it is enough to agree with three to five parents. Discounts can amount to a pleasant 5–20%.

6. Take advantage of discounts in online stores

Track sales and promotions. In addition, when ordering for a certain amount, many online sellers offer pleasant bonuses all year round, such as free shipping or the ability to shop at wholesale prices.

7. Do not involve a child in the purchase

A trip to pick up stationery in the company of a primary school student is fraught with an increase in the check by one and a half times. The child grabs whatever he likes, so it's harder to stick to the list. In addition, children are greedy for colorful covers, bright colors, pendants, fintiflyushki and other decorations that inflate the price. And they often make the purchase less suitable for the main purpose - study.

If a student wants to take part in the process to tears, so be it: let him choose a couple of school supplies (for example, an album for drawing, one notebook with his favorite character and a folder). But make the main purchases yourself, using common sense.

8. Don't be tempted by cheapness

The student does not need premium stationery. But this does not mean that all the cheapest will suit him. Suspiciously low prices may indicate poor quality. The pen will stop writing the next day, or it will leak, staining clothes, briefcase and notebooks. The pencil will tear the paper, and the sharpener will break the lead. As a result, you will pay more.

How to choose school supplies

How to choose notebooks

Avoid notebooks with bright white smooth paper and glossy covers with cats, dogs and cartoon characters. They are more expensive, and bright pictures distract from the educational process. In addition, it is more difficult to write on a smooth surface: the paste smudges and stains easily. And on a beautiful glossy cover with Superman or Cheburashka, you will have to glue a rectangle cut from an ordinary notebook to indicate the subject, class, school number, first and last name.

Here are some signs of a "correct" notebook.

Neutral cover.
Slightly rough paper.
EAC marking on the back. This means that the product complies with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. According to the existing standard, the density of paper in a school notebook should be at least 60 g / m2. The higher it is, the more comfortable it is to write and read. For example, in the USSR, 70 g / m2 was considered the norm for a school notebook. Some manufacturers still produce notebooks with high-density paper. They are a little more expensive, but on the other hand, there are no squeezed marks from a fountain pen on the sheets.
A clear, but not too bright line. Smeared outlines or too much contrast between lines and paper irritates the eyes. The second point: the ruler should be the same on the turns and on the clearance. Explicit offsets make it harder to read and write.

By the way, you can buy some of the cheapest notebooks with gray paper - they will come in handy for drafts.

How to choose covers

Pay attention to the density stated in microns (μm). The lower the number, the cheaper the cover. And the sooner it will break. Acceptable quality starts at 110 microns.

How to choose a pencil case

The basic rule is that the pencil case must be durable. After all, it will be accidentally dropped and deliberately thrown. And also - in a hurry to open, pulling out "with meat" poorly sewn zippers or buttons that are held on parole.

The second important point: do not buy complete pencil cases. As a rule, they are filled with substandard office supplies at inflated prices.

The best option for younger students is a folding pencil case with a strong zipper. It will hold all the accessories you need for the lesson. Having opened such a pencil case, the child will see pens, pencils and erasers at a glance. He does not have to rummage around in search of the right thing, as is the case with a pencil case-cosmetic bag or a tube.

Pay attention to the inside of the pencil case. It should be plastic or textile - then you can easily wash a thing or even wash it in a typewriter. But the cardboard walls will not survive cleaning.

How to choose a handle

A light ballpoint pen about 15 cm long with a rubber insert fits perfectly into the child's hand, which prevents fingers sweating from tension from sliding down. Make sure that the ampoule does not scratch the paper, but at the same time writes finely - otherwise ugly stains will appear in the notebook.

How to choose a simple pencil

For the needs of the student, an ordinary wooden pencil is best suited. When choosing, take into account three parameters: the shape, the hardness of the lead and the type of wood from which the body is made.

Pencils with edges are easier to hold in the hand than a lead with a round and smooth shell.

Hardness should be standard, hard-soft. It can be identified by the TM or HB marking. Separate T or H (from the English H - hardness) are put on hard pencils designed for thin lines and drawings. Such a pencil will scratch or tear a school notebook. The letters M or B (from English blackness - black) give out a soft lead for artistic sketches. It is difficult to erase and stains the paper.

The best materials for pencils are cedar, pine, or jelutong. Their dense, durable and at the same time soft wood is easier to sharpen and lasts longer. But the price will also be higher. Standard school pencils are made from linden. Alder and poplar are used for cheap consumer goods. Such products can flake and crumble during sharpening, they quickly lose their presentation.

How to choose colored pencils

About the same as simple ones. Plus one more tip. Small artists can use thicker pencils with a triangular body that fits comfortably in a pinch of thumb, forefinger and middle finger. The lead in such a pencil is also thicker than usual and therefore breaks less often.

How to choose a sketchbook

Again, pay attention to the weight of the paper. For schoolchildren of primary and secondary grades, it is better to buy albums with sheets of 160-200 g / m2 density. They will withstand both felt-tip pens and paints. Thinner sheets are only suitable for pencils and crayons.

Fastening matters too. The glued sheets will quickly disintegrate, it is difficult to pull the sheet out of the album on staples, so the best option is a model with a spring connection.

How to choose an eraser

It is very convenient if the eraser is attached to the body of the pencil. So you will not lose it and it is always at hand. Separately, it is better to buy a nondescript "washing machine" made of natural rubber (rubber). Bright synthetic versions work much worse, which crumble and leave dirty marks on the paper or tear it.

In any case, before buying, give the eraser a test drive: draw a line with a pencil on the paper and erase it.

How to choose a sharpener

It is better to take a sharpener with a container for collecting shavings and holes for pencils of different diameters. Get ready for the fact that this tool will have to be changed at least once every six months: the blade becomes dull over such a period and already breaks, and does not sharpen the lead.

How to choose rulers

For a younger student, a ruler 10-15 cm long is enough. In middle grades, you will need a longer device plus a triangle and a protractor.

A universal choice - a ruler made of lightweight plastic with clear divisions. You can take a wooden one, but it is more bulky, and when it gets wet it can swell and deform. But if you consider that rulers, like other little things, are quickly lost, the chances of spoiling are small.