Benefits Of Back-To-School Sales
By Rachel Azark
How can back-to-school sales benefit you? Let me count the ways! Just because you might not have a child or a kid heading off to college doesn't mean you can't take advantage of all the great deals that are out there.
Storage
There may be such a thing as spring cleaning, but fall is definitely the time to stock up on storage containers. And if you think about it, you're going to want a clean, organized home before you burrow down for the winter. So take a closet, or tackle the garage while the weather is still warm and start organizing. Every parent wants their child to live in an organized dorm room, but treat yourself to your own organized space.
Sales on storage containers can be found at Target, The Container Store, and Bed Bath & Beyond.
Redesign
Are you looking to update a room? Whether it is a kids' room, a guest room or a rec room, now is a great time to pick up new sheets, towels and wall art. If you're looking to redo a rec room for the kids, you don't need very expensive pieces to do it. Futons for the kids to bounce on and that can also take spills, those storage ottomans that hold everything from extra blankets to TV remotes, shelves and lamps can complete a whole room for very little money. It's also a great time to overhaul a child's room with matching sets of sheets and everything else that comes in the same color from pillows to bedside lamps.
Target, Kohls and Bed Bath & Beyond are your best bets for finding these items.
Home Office
Just because kids are going back to school doesn't mean you can't take advantage and completely restock your supply for home. If you work from home, this is a great time to fill up on all the supplies that are running low from paperclips to pens to binders. Looking ahead to 2013? Now is a good time to get your day planner for the next year.
Office Max will sometimes give you a paper bag in the Sunday coupons. Anything that fits in the bag gets you 20% off. For other great deals try Staples and Office Depot.
Technology
Every parent wants a well-connected college student. And while kids now start getting cell phones at the age of 8 and can work an iPad at the shocking age of two and earlier, getting a new phone for college with a better media package seems to be the thing. Doesn't matter if you have a kid or not, now's the time to get the deals on these devices. It's also not just phones – lucky you. There are also sales on everything from TVs to laptops, to accessories for your computer.
Cell phone sales are going on now at Target. But visit the cell phone provider you use to see the sales they have going on in store. Visit Best Buy to find other electronic sales.
Donations
When markers go on sale for 99 cents and you can find scissors for 49 cents, there shouldn't be a reason why you can't give back to your community. If you have kids, this would be a great time to take them to the store and have them pick out school supplies for another child. Even if you don't have kids, giving back to others in your community certainly gives you a boost in mood and makes you feel good.
School supplies can be found at Walgreens, Walmart, Target and your local office supply stores.
Places Collecting Supplies
Chicago Public Schools: cpspartnerships.org
Communities the Care: communitiesthatcareinc.org
Store Information
Target
1 S. State St.
Chicago, IL, 60603
Phone: 312-279-2133
www.target.com
The Container Store
908 West North Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: 312-654-8450
www.thecontainerstore.com
Bed Bath & Beyond
530 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: 312-755-60654
www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Kohls
2140 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-342-9032
www.kohls.com
Office Max
1829 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-665-2053
www.officemax.com
Office Depot
6 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312-781-0570
www.officedepot.com
Staples
111 N. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-641-1213
www.staples.com
Best Buy
875 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-397-2146
www.bestbuy.com
Walmart
570 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: 312-470-1460
www.walmart.com
Rachel Azark is a writer, loves a good sale and lives on Chicago's Northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
