Across the state, kids are gulping down their last breaths of freedom before school is back in session. Many families braved the crowds at big box retailers and malls over the weekend to take advantage of Florida’s annual tax-free days, hoping to save a few bucks on clothes and school supplies. But if you have agoraphobia, had other plans that prevented you from hitting up shops over the weekend or couldn’t find everything you needed to get the kids ready to face pencils, books and teachers’ dirty looks, we might have a solution for you: La Familia!
True, we might not be the first retailer that comes to mind when you think of school supply shopping, but we have some of the most expensive items that your little ones need to gear up for the year ahead – and at a fraction of the regular price. So, what kind of goodies can you find in our stores? Since you may not have caught our CEO, Lawrence Kahlden’s, recent interview on MSNBC.com discussing this very topic, we thought it would be helpful to provide some quick tips on how to get the most bang for your buck on high-priced back-to-school items.
- Take advantage of our back-to-school deals, promotions and events. This Saturday, our store on Whisper Lakes Blvd. in Orlando is hosting a “Back To School Blowout,” with 15-20% discounts on laptops and computers, 10-15% on other select items, and free school supplies with each $50 purchase. The event will feature a DJ, bouncy house and food to keep your kids entertained. Our store at 3615 W. Vine St. in Kissimmee is also having a huge promotion on computers, with laptops 15% off. If neither of those stores is close to you, keep checking our Facebook page for deals or call locations and inquire into any back-to-school discounts.
- Evaluate where you can save. Although it’s difficult to scrimp too much or buy used versions of many of the smaller things your children need for school, such as notebooks, basic math tools – like protractors and compasses – and art supplies, many of the big-ticket items that set your credit card on fire can be bought second-hand and/or cost-efficiently. Things like computers, scientific calculators and iPads don’t need to be brand-new, but can often be found in almost-new condition. Although online is an excellent place to find these items, you need to be careful when buying used to make sure these electronics are in good condition. In our stores, you can hold and test any equipment before making a purchase to ensure that you get what you are paying for.
- Make a plan for extra-curricular needs. Sometimes, it isn’t the academics shopping that hits you the hardest – it’s the items needed for extra-curricular activities. And given that kids can be fickle creatures, there’s nothing more aggravating than investing into a quickly abandoned hobby. So, rather than pay $1000 for a new musical instrument or sink a ton of money into a new set of golf clubs for Junior, look into second-hand items to hold your child over until you are sure that he or she is serious about the new activity.
What are your tips for saving on back to school shopping? And what’s your proudest back-to-school savings steal?