Best stores for Back-to-School deals

Most of us have gotten pretty savvy when it comes to back-to-school shopping.

We clip coupons, grab folders and notebooks when they are on sale, and try to keep our spending down.

But it turns out where you buy certain items can make a big difference.

Walmart is famous for low prices. Ditto Meijer.

Target is famous for trendy goods and decent prices, which is why Kim Bedde shops there.

"Usually we do it at Target," Bedde said.

But if you try to do all your shopping at one store, you may end up short, and spending more than you should.

Shop Three Different Stores

That's according to mommy blogger Andrea Deckard, who says the savviest shoppers hit at least three different stores for their back-to-school deals.

"Getting the different penny deals that office stores have each week, checking out drugstores even for deals," Deckard said.

Deckard, founder of the blog Savings Lifestyle.com, suggests you check Sunday circulars for hot sales going on right now at Walgreens, CVS and even Michael's stores.    

"Even the craft stores, Michael's," Deckard said. "You don't think you'd go there for school supplies, but when you use their circular each week along with dollar items, you can get something for 60 cents."

Different Stores for Different Items

Deckard recommends:

       -Target, Walmart, and other big box stores for basics like notebooks, backpacks and T-shirts.

       -Dollar stores for paper, pencils, markers and glue.

       -TJ Maxx and Old Navy for jeans and sweatshirts.

       -Staples for weekly penny deals.

       -Office Max and Office Depot for hard to find school items, like printing products and advanced calculators.

Department stores like Macy's, Dillard's and Kohl's are running lots of good clothing sales this month.

However, if you are holding out for the big Macy's Friends and Family sale, you're out of luck: Macy's typically waits till fall for those, after school shopping season is over.

As always, don't waste your money.

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