Here's some tips for saving on back to school
Parents, retailers and shopping experts have plenty of tips to help parents save during a time of rising inflation.
“It’s quite astonishing the amount you can save,” says Dylan Palcit, vice president of sales for Monarch Basics in Windsor, Ont.
Palcit tells CTV News parents can save between 25 and 55 per cent by switching from brand names to generic or no name brands.
“These products are made in the same factories that companies like Paper Mate and Swingline products are being made but they’re branded for us and they’re at a much cheaper price,” says Palcit.
Parents should start shopping early, especially if your child is picky, according to Palcit.
“Most stores, they purchase their inventory very early in advance and they're not restocking,” notes Palcit.
He says it’s a fun time of year to be in this industry.
“A lot of kids come in here who are quite excited, which is not generally something we see in an office supply store,” says Palcit.
Consumer Reports also recommends shopping early, keeping an eye on local flyers and consider purchasing refurbished electronics.
“That can be a great way to get a good chunk of savings and the product should function just as well as something that's brand new out of the box,” according to Consumer Reports deal editor, Samantha Gordon.
And the Credit Counselling Society advises against spontaneous trips to the store.
“It’s having a game plan and planning ahead because when you run things last minute and you’re searching for convenience, that gets very expensive,” says Anne Arbour.
It’s the parents themselves, however, who also offer some of the best tips, as illustrated in a social media call-out for advice.
To help parents, here is a checklist, created by the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board to help elementary parents prep for back to school.
If any parents are struggling with the rising cost of back to school, they are encouraged to contact 211 or 311 to get a list of local agencies willing to help at this time of year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.