Advice on Becoming a Savvy Back to School Shopper

Before Anita Taylor can send her two children back to school, she has to do her homework.

"I'm looking on line... I'm looking in catalogs... I'm trying to just figure out ways... going on Craigslist... asking friends, do you have anything you don't need anymore?"

Surfing the net and shuffling through catalogs has become a part of her daily routine.

"Just trying to figure out what is the best way to save money," Taylor says, "It's hard for everyone right now. I have new uniforms I have to purchase... and on top of the new uniforms... then his regular school supplies."

Which could add up to big bucks.

No sales tax holiday in Georgia this year, means less money for back to school shopping for her children at home and her students in her classroom.

"This year, I'm trying to keep it to a minimum," Anita says. "The economy... and I'm a teacher... so, we have furlough days... we don't get paid that much as it is... so, we try to economize as much as we can."

Her budget is tight.

"I'm trying not to go past $350 and that includes my children and my students."

Question is, can she do it? Shopping expert, Michelle Rubrecht says, yes she can.

Michelle says back to school shoppers can save a lot of money simply by going on line. She recommends logging on to www.ebates.com for discounts, coupons, and rewards.

"Currently, JC Penny is running a $10 off $50 purchase," Rubrecht says. "A $15 off $75 purchase with free shipping if you spend $75. You can go through "E-bates" and receive 6% back on your purchases. So, even though the tax rate is 7% here, you're still going to save the 6% and you'll get that back in the form of a check."

Another cool website is the Savvy Shopper. It features a shopping wizard that lets you compare all the advertised prices of local stores and matches it up with coupons from the Sunday paper. It also links you to printable coupons.

"So, by going on that one site- savvyshopperdeals.com/ga/sav, you can make sure you're not going to one store and paying $2 or $3 more for an item than you actually have to."

Bottom line, the bargains are out there. They may just take a little leg work to find.

One more way to save money may be through organizing a clothing drive or swap with your friends or neighbors.

Anita is donating her son Quincy's outgrown uniforms to Gadsden Elementary so other kids can benefit.

Gadsden is accepting uniform and school supply donations.

Check with your child's school to see if they have a similar program.

If you'd like to become a Savvy Shopper, Michelle teaches coupon classes at the Savannah Morning News (www.savannahnow.com).

There are two upcoming seminars.

The first is July 29th at 6:30 PM

Another class will be held at the same time August 17.

Seating is limited.

To register, e-mail to: savvyshopper@savannahnow.com

Michelle Rubrecht's articles are featured in the Sunday Edition of the Savannah Morning News.

Click here for a link to the savvy shopper: www.savvyshopperdeals.com/georgia/savannah

You can also follow Savannah Savvy Shopper on Facebook and Twitter (Sav Shopper).