Teachers often spend hundreds of dollars out of pocket each year on classroom supplies. From art materials to basic stationery, these costs add up quickly—and with limited budgets, it can feel like a constant uphill battle. The good news? A few smart shopping strategies and cashback tools can help stretch your classroom budget without compromising on quality or creativity.
Here’s how educators can maximize savings on school supplies, educational materials, and classroom tools.
- Shop Discount Education Retailers Like Lakeshore Learning
Lakeshore Learning specializes in educational products for early childhood through elementary grades. They offer high-quality manipulatives, classroom decorations, and curriculum aids that go beyond what you’ll find at standard office supply stores.
Teachers can create a free account to access discounts, email-exclusive sales, and free printables. During key seasons like back-to-school and spring semester, watch for clearance deals and bundle offers.
- Use Ibotta to Earn Cashback on Essentials
Ibotta isn’t just for groceries—it also offers cashback at major retailers that carry classroom supplies, including Walmart, Target, and Dollar General. Items like glue sticks, folders, pens, and cleaning wipes are often featured.
To save:
- Activate offers in the Ibotta app before shopping.
- Submit your receipt after purchase, or link your store loyalty card for automatic tracking.
These small savings add up, especially when restocking frequently used items.
- Earn Extra Cashback When Shopping Online with Rakuten
Rakuten helps educators earn cashback while shopping online at stores like Staples, Office Depot, and even retailers like Etsy (perfect for classroom posters and decor).
Install the Rakuten browser extension to automatically apply cashback and coupon codes at checkout. Combined with seasonal store discounts, this can lead to double-digit savings on larger orders.
- Buy in Bulk When Possible
Buying in bulk reduces the per-item cost, especially for classroom staples like crayons, tissues, dry-erase markers, and copy paper. Office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot often run teacher-specific promotions or offer bulk pricing during back-to-school season.
Pair bulk deals with cashback from Rakuten or Ibotta to maximize your total savings.
- Tap Into Donation Platforms and Community Programs
In addition to smarter shopping, educators should explore classroom funding tools like DonorsChoose or AdoptAClassroom.org. These platforms allow community members and organizations to donate directly to classroom supply needs.
Local stores may also offer educator discount days or grant programs to support school supplies.
