back-to-school deals at staples that families don't want to miss

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This past weekend, Maddy, Owen, Cora, and I did our annual Back-to-School Supply shopping extravaganza only at Staples.

But this year was a wee bit different than other years. And? It was an absolute blast.

This year, we went to Staples, and we shared our school-supply haul live on Facebook–and we were live on Instagram.

If you joined us, thank you.

If you missed it, no problem.

I have it all here, and I’m highlighting a few of our fave deals–deals that families don’t want to miss.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Back-to-School Deals at Staples That Families Don’t Want to Miss

With three kids in two different schools, our school supply needs are quite varied. For the first time ever, we were lacking one of those super-specific elementary school lists which was a bit strange for us.

Instead, we were shopping for our rising 9th grader (Maddy) who had no list to go by and who was relying mostly on what her older friends had suggested. We were also shopping for our rising 7th grader (Owen) and our rising 6th grader (Cora), but these two did have a suggested list of supplies from their middle school.

Having a list did make it easier!

However, the minute we entered Staples for our school supply shopping haul, we were greeted by one of their friendly “back-to-school specialists” who offered to help us immediately. His suggestion to “grab a cart” if we were here for school supply shopping sent us right back to the cart lineup so that we were totally prepared.

What were we thinking? We weren’t rookies at this! Of course we needed a cart!

We managed to find everything on all of the kids’ lists without trouble, but very soon after our 10 am arrival, the store started hopping. It. Got. BUSY. Everyone had the same idea that we did on this particular Saturday.

Lucky for us, the aisles were wide enough for all of our carts, the store was equipped to handle the crowds, and signs and sales were easily seen by all. Staples was undeniably our one-stop shop this year, filled with so many fab deals and items that we needed.

Here are a few of the deals that we scored in store that I think you’ll want to know about:

Staples® 3″ x 5″ Lined Index Cards 100/pack — $0.50

The minute I saw these, I grabbed about a dozen packs. My kids go through index cards so quickly, and normally packs of 100 go for about $2.00.

I want my kids to have all of the school supplies and resources they need to make studying easier. Index cards are key for prepping for tests and quizzes, and with two middle schoolers and a high schooler, I know that assessments will come quickly once the year begins.

Index cards to last us the year? Check.

Staples 1 Subject Notebook, 8″ x 10 1/2″ 6/ pack — $4.49

Many of Maddy’s friends have told her that they use one spiral notebook and one folder for each class and that they carry all of these items with them all day long.

What? Huh? What about lockers? Right. That’s what I said.

But this is our first step into high school, and I’m not going to change the culture of the high school, no matter how hard I try. If kids aren’t using lockers, they’re not using lockers. If they’re insisting on carrying all of their supplies with them all of the time, then that’s what they’ll do.

I’ll just make sure that my daughter has all of the supplies she needs.

Lucky for us, 1-subject notebooks were on crazy sale at our Staples, so we grabbed a bunch.

My feeling was that if Maddy was going to go this route, that we’d try to keep things color-coded for her at the very least. Each subject has its own color, and that means that we needed a 1-subject notebook and matching folder in each color.

1-subject notebooks to last the year? Check.

Backpacks, Backpacks, BACKPACKS

Honestly, Staples had the largest selection of backpacks that I have seen anywhere.

Maddy and Owen were cool with using their backpacks from last year, so Cora was our only kiddo who needed to find a new one. We don’t buy new backpacks every year–we just don’t.

I buy good brands that make reliable, tough backpacks that last a few years at the very least.

The patterns, colors, and styles at our Staples could have been overwhelming for some, but Cora knew exactly what she wanted. She was looking for a plain, pastel-colored backpack, and that’s what she found.

Within minutes of hitting the backpack area, Cora picked up a mint green Jansport Superbreak Backpack, and I was fine with that. I know that the backpack will last her a few years of middle school if not longer.

However, I’m not worried because of Staples’ Square Trade Deal plan. If there is anything wrong with your backpack within the 2 years of purchase, you will get a price match guaranteed!! Cora’s backpack will definitely last her a while!

It was $34.99, which is a super price for a backpack like this.

Pastel backpack for Cora? Check.

Lockermate Locker Kit $11.99

It’s been Cora’s dream to have a locker for about 6 years now, so when it comes to decorating her locker, she’s had plans in the works for months.

When we saw this super cool Lockermate Locker Kit on sale at Staples, we knew it was a must-have.

Sure, it’s not on a school supply list, but when you’re heading into middle school for the very first time, you need to rock the locker. I was surprised at how many fun locker decorations Staples carried.

Whether your student needs a little locker shelf (at least to keep books and a bagged lunch away from a wet umbrella!), or a mirror or some cool decals, Staples has what you need.

Locker kit to rock the middle school locker? Check.

Staples Multipurpose 8 1/2″ x 11″ Paper, 5 reams — $19.99

Once the school year starts up, with three kids and a principal in our house, we go through paper. A lot of paper.

Whether Cora is printing things for her slime business, or Owen is printing agendas for his kendama club, we zip through paper. Maddy likes to print out her study guides rather than use them online, and that’s fine with me.

As long as we’re not careless with it, and as long as we’re recycling–I think it’s fine.

So when I saw this super deal on multi-purpose paper, I went for it. Five reams for $19.99? That’s less than $4.00 a pop.

We may run late for Back-to-School Night. We may forget about an assignment here or there. But we will not run out of paper this year.

No way.

Paper to last the whole school year and then some? Check.

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator — $89.99

A TI-84 Plus CE is a huge ask for a school supply list, and many schools offer a rental program for an item like this, but I know that since my kids are taking math courses that require this type of device, I wanted each one to have his or her own.

And? The TI-84 Plus CE is something that a student can use in sixth grade through college, so it makes sense to purchase one. However, they can be expensive.

At our Staples, the TI-84 Plus CE was on sale for $89.99–and regularly they can be over $150!

Maddy and Cora needed one, so they each chose a color they loved (Maddy royal blue and Cora mint green), and we skipped over to the checkout line.

The knowledgeable back-to-school specialist at checkout told me about something I had never considered: the Calculator Protection Plan.

With the Square Trade Back-to-School Calculator Protection Plan special, we paid $19.99 for a 2-year plan with accident protection. This covers damage from accidents like drops and spills as well as any electrical or mechanical issues after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.

Since we purchased two calculators, this was a no-brainer.

Graphing calculator for Maddy and Cora? Check.

Want to check out our Facebook Live?

It was a blast. Check it out below:

I’m proud to be working with Staples for back-to-school, and I’m thrilled to have shared with you my family’s school supply haul this month. They are definitely the #BackToSchoolSpecialists that we all need!

In the shopping spree, you’ll be able to join Maddy, who’s 14 and preparing for her first year of high school, Owen, who’s 13 and heading to grade 7, and Cora, who’s 11 and heading to middle school, as they “one stop shop” at Staples for their back-to-school needs.

And here are a few fun clips from our haul–ones I shared on Instagram:

Check out a few of our fave back-to-school rituals:

Huge and happy thanks to the great people at Staples for partnering with me for this back-to-school series. I’m always thrilled to work with great brands that I can stand firmly and confidently behind.

Definitely follow the accounts below to stay in the loop:

fyi: This post was written as part of a partnership with Staples. As always, my opinions and ideas are all my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator.