As summer comes to an end, one of the thoughts in the back of your mind is shopping for school supplies. From clothes to notebooks, shoes to stationery, everything your children will need for the start of school makes it to your shopping list.

Back-to-school shopping can be both exciting and challenging as everyone scrambles for time and resources during the last few days of the vacation to get their children ready for school. Amidst all the shopping chaos and madness, you also aspire to save money on purchases as school supplies will burn a deep hole in your pocket.

Here are a few points to consider before shopping for back-to-school supplies in 2018.

Prepare in advance
It is imperative to have a list of everything to ensure that you don’t end up purchasing unnecessary supplies for the semester. This list will also ensure that you don’t miss anything that is required by the curriculum. Always stick to the list to save time, money, and effort while scouring through a maze of aisles and endless shelves stocked with back-to-school deals and trends.

Be a smart shopper
Compare prices, don’t just buy the first product that catches your eye. Make the most of coupons and rewards programs that allow you to save money and earn points on your purchase. Stores will have different pricing and purchase policies regarding coupons and discount prices. So, make sure that you go through their terms and conditions in advance.

Shop online
Shopping for school supplies online is a smart move as you not only save time and money but also avoid the crowds and the long queues at the checkout counter. These e-commerce websites also allow you to use coupon codes and earn cash back on purchases. Popular school and office supplies websites like Best Buy, JC Penny, Kmart, Office Depot, Kohl’s, and Macy’s feature trending back-to-school shopping supplies.

Keep the receipts
Never throw away the receipts as it is impossible to exchange or claim a rebate on any of your purchases. Just use the purchase receipt to exchange the product or return it for a full refund. Remember that all stores and websites have different exchange and refund policies.

Note that a branded purchase does not necessarily guarantee quality. You must always inspect the product and check its utility before buying it, irrespective of the brand or price tag.