5 Money-Saving Tips for Back-to-School Season

This is a sponsored post written by me for SingleCare. All opinions are exclusively my own. #singlecareXschool #backtoschool

It’s crazy how pricey the back-to-school season can be. From backpacks & lunchboxes to school supplies & clothing, the expenses can quickly add up. However, with some smart tips & the right attitude, it’s possible to keep those costs in check. From taking advantage of tax holidays to signing up for a free SingleCare membership, keep reading for my best tips.

5 Money-Saving Tips for Back-to-School Season

1. Focus on the big items!
We can sometimes get caught up on shopping around for pens, notebooks, scissors, and other small school supplies. However, it’s best not to spend time shopping around for the best price on those inexpensive items. You can likely find good deals on all these items at any big box retailer, especially during the back-to-school season. However, if you are planning any big-ticket purchases (a new computer, a graphing calculator, a cell phone, etc.) this year, be sure to take the time to find great sales & rebates.

2. Save on prescription drugs!

Once all the kids are back in the classroom, germs tend to spread quickly. When kids get sick, medical expenses can skyrocket. To keep prescription costs in check, consider taking advantage of SingleCare. 

What is SingleCare? It offers savings on everything from prescriptions and dental care to vision and virtual doctor visits. SingleCare wants to make it possible for consumers to save money on their medical expenses without worrying about insurance networks or deductibles. Skip the hassle of figuring out your insurance limits & trying to find an in-network provider. Check out SingleCare to make your healthcare easier – and more affordable. 

How do you start taking advantage of SingleCare? Simply visit their site here and become a member for free! When you need a prescription drug, simply enter the prescription information to the site/app and search for the best price at nearby pharmacies. There’s no need to drive around looking for the best price. SingleCare has done all the work! When you are ready to pick up a prescription, visit one of their 35,000 partner pharmacies across the country (this includes Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, and more) and bring your SingleCare card. This can be the physical card or the card on your mobile device! Just tell the pharmacy to process the claim using the BIN & PCN number on the card!

Want to see a dentist, optometrist or virtual physician? Use SingleCare to find the best prices for providers near you. For example, if you want to see a dentist, start by entering your zip code and then choosing your desired dental procedure (teeth whitening, cavity filling, dental exam, etc.) Then you will see the prices for all the participating nearby dentists. You can even book a dental appointment right from your phone. Talk about convenience! I have tried paying for dentist visits out of pocket before and I can attest to the high cost of even the simplest procedures. With SingleCare, it’s easy to save money on these routine visits!

So what are you waiting for? SingleCare offers consumers full price transparency for each service offered at a provider’s office. SingleCare membership is free and there are no ongoing fees or premiums. Want to learn more & sign up today? Check out their website or download the app (iTunes / Google Play).

3. Keep up with your favorite stores online!
Back-to-school sales begin appearing in the middle of the summer and extend through the first few weeks of September. There are a lot of coupons & sales available in printed flyers and posted online. Take the time to look for promotions currently available at your favorite retailers. Visit their social media pages online and follow them. Sometimes coupons are only available to followers. Then always look for ways to pair coupons with sales for the biggest savings payoff!

4. Take advantage of tax holidays!
Many states offer a few opportunities during the year to shop without paying sales tax. One of those opportunities usually falls during the summer. Schedule your shopping during one of these fabulous events. However, keep in mind that there may be a limit on exactly how much you can spend in one transaction during tax-free days.

5. Make a budget & stick to it!
There are a lot of things to buy as the kids head back to school: backpacks, lunch bags, books, pens, folders, clothing and so much more. Add to that other miscellaneous expenses that show up during the back-to-school season, such as increased gas bills (bringing kids to/from school, classes, play dates, etc.) Before you even set foot in a store looking for school supplies or pick up the trendiest outfits from your fave retailer, sit down and make a list of items to buy and how much you are willing to spend in total. If you wind up splurging on a pricey backpack, maybe choose a more affordable lunch box!

Don’t forget to check out SingleCare to keep your medical & prescriptions bills in check this school year. What is your best tip to save on back-to-school expenses?

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