It is hard to believe that it is already time to be thinking about school shopping, but it is. Here in our county the kids go back on August 20th. While Aaron and Jordan will both be heading to the State College of Florida, Summer will be starting her senior year of high school. Back to school means back to homework, projects, club meetings, sports and PTA-just to name a few things that happen when school starts.

This year go back to school with AstroBrights for all of your project, poster and flyer needs. AstroBrights come in  23 acid free, lignin free bright colors which help your hard work get noticed!

To add to the fun AstroBrights papers is holding a “Give a Brighter Year” sweepstakes on their Facebook page. The winner will receive $30,000 in school supplies for their favorite elementary school AND a $500 gift card for themselves so make sure you click the link above and enter to win, I did!

Are you feeling crafty? You can join the “Make Something AstroBright”  challenge on Facebook just click the contest tab and see what this period’s challenge is. When you complete the challenge, submit your entry on the AstroBrights Facebook page and you could win one of 4 Visa gift cards! The challenge periods are: Challenge 1: July 16th – July 29th, Challenge 2: July 30th – August 12th,Challenge 3: August 13th – August 26th,Challenge 4: August 27th – September 9th. Join the AstroBrights fun, who knows you just might win!

Make sure you stay up-to-date with AstroBrights on social media by liking their Facebook page, following AstroBrights on Pinterest and following @neenahpaper on Twitter.

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Notebooks, Post-it notes, pens, pads – it’s that time of the year again. Waiting around for those crazy, last-minute, 10-notebooks-for-a-dime specials could slash your spending, but there’s lots more you can do to save big. ShopSmart magazine shares their list of nine tips to make the most of back-to-school sales this August:

Save While Shopping for School and Office Supplies

1.     Take inventory: Chances are, you already have some of the things you need in your home office.

2.     Stick to your list: It makes sense to get a jump on the stuff you know you need (think filler paper and pencils), but wait for the school’s list to do the bulk of your shopping.

3.     Consider swapping: If the search of your desk drawer turns up things you no longer have use for, swap them for things you do need. Call other moms, or go to Swapmamas.com. Click on School & Office to see listings from people who have stuff and people who need stuff.

4.     Skip taxes: Many states offer tax-free shopping days in August to encourage spending on clothes. You might find information about your state by searching the Internet with your state and “tax holiday 2010.” Some states extend the discount to supplies and computers.

5.     Buy in bulk: Warehouse clubs are great places to load up, but so are online stores like RaymondGeddes.com and DiscountSchoolSupply.com – just remember that shipping costs can add up if you don’t order in bulk.

6.       Consider refurbs: Whether you need a laptop or your kid needs a fancy graphing calculator, refurbished or opened but unused products can save you hundreds of dollars. Check Amazon.com, Crutchfield.com, Dell.com/outlet, and SonyStyle.com/outlet.

7.       Automate savings: Sign up at ShopItToMe.com to get an alert sent to you when there’s a sale on those expensive sneakers your son just has to have or those shoes you need for work.

8.       Be strategic: Shopping the sales at a lot of stores could save you big bucks, but it’s a huge waste of time. Instead, search circulars online at YahooCircularCentral.shoplocal.com and SundaySaver.com. Then shop at stores with price-matching policies, such as Staples, Target, and Walmart.

9.       Go to school: Ask whether your child’s school has a supply program where you buy one box with everything your kid needs for the year. Staples claims its SchoolKidz program offers savings of 20 to 50 percent.

These tips are courtesy of the September 2010 issue ofmagazine.

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As much as I love to shop for advertised deals, there is something about being in the store and hearing, “Attention Kmart shoppers for the next 15 minutes…” the excitement of an unexpected bargain makes a shopping trip even more fun. Another great way to stay informed about special Kmart deals is to Kmart on Twitter.

Some of this week’s back-to-school or dorm Kmart Bluelight specials include filler paper 2 for $1, Womens Joe Boxer Flip Flops $4.00 and Men’s Athletic basketball shorts $3.00! There will also be Bluelight specials like all patio furniture 70% off regular prices and an extra 10% of diamonds that are already 70% off!  I’m hoping there will be a lot of school supplies appearing with the Bluelight tomorrow. Remember, to get the deals you have to be at the store so add Kmart to your list of places to go tomorrow!

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