1.) Use What You Have 

Take inventory of what you already have at home. You may have leftover supplies from last year that you can use. If you have office supplies stored at home, see if any of those items are on your child’s school supplies list. By working with what you’ve already got, you’ll have fewer supplies to purchase.

2.) Shop During Tax-Free Holiday 

This is a great time to get new school clothes or purchase larger items like computers, headphones, and other electronics. Florida’s back-to-school tax-free holiday is usually the last week of July and the first week of August. Need a little extra help this school year? Consider applying for a  Launch CU Visa® Platinum Credit Card or Launch Visa® Platinum Rewards Credit Card.

3.) Share Bulk Items

It can be tempting to buy bulk items because of the awesome prices, but chances are you won’t use all of them. Consider purchasing a bulk item and splitting the cost with other students’ parents. This way you save money and end up with a little more product! 

4.) Look For Discounts 

Many stores offer discounts for college students and teachers. Stores like Dollar General offer discounts to teachers, and Apple offers special education pricing. Consider stacking deals by shopping store sales via cashback apps and paying with gift cards from sites like Gift Card Granny. If you struggle to buy school supplies, contact your child’s school or look for places that give free supplies in your community. Launch CU hosts a “Back to School” Supply Drive every year where members donate school supplies that we give to the Brevard Schools Foundation and Volusia County Schools. 

5.) Get Thrifty

If you’re shopping for new school clothes without wanting to pay full retail prices, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to explore. Start by checking out online consignment and resale sites. These platforms often feature gently used, name-brand clothing at a fraction of the cost. Don’t overlook your local thrift stores either. With a little time and patience, you can uncover hidden gems.

Another fun and cost-effective option is to organize a clothing swap with a group of families. Everyone brings outgrown or gently worn clothes, and you trade items with others whose kids are in different sizes. It’s a great way to refresh your child’s wardrobe without spending a dime.

If you still need assistance purchasing school supplies, there are options! Launch CU offers three types of personal loans with low rates. Our personal loan options feature:

• No application fee
• Low rates
• Simple interest
• No prepayment penalties
• Low-cost Payment Protection is available

Another option is Quick Cash. This loan provides quick access to funds to help members manage short-term borrowing needs. There is no credit pull and loan qualification is based on the member’s good standing and deposit history. QCash also has a fast turnaround time! Apply anytime through your digital banking app.