Yahoo Finance The Best Back-to-School Sales of 2015
Parents of schoolchildren know that August marks a busy shopping month: There are backpacks, ballpoint pens, binders and book bags to buy.
But you don't have to let back-to-school shopping blow your budget. From office essentials to trendy clothes, we've handpicked the best school supply sales you should shop before the new school year begins.
Amazon
Amazon is a one-stop school supply shop. The retailer has discounted pretty much everything parents could possibly need to purchase for the start of the new academic year, from Lysol disinfecting wipes to Five Star notebooks.
Plus, through September, Amazon will roll out a series of limited-time deals on back-to-school products. Featured items include electronics and clothing as well as snacks and beverages. Visit Amazon's back-to-school section, and check the ending date of a specific sale to see how long it lasts.
[Read: 14 Back to School Shopping Hacks.]
Staples
For a limited time, office supply store Staples promises to get students 110 percent ready for the start of school.
Now through Sept. 19, Staples will match the price of a competitor's item, and then offer an additional 10 percent off the price difference. Present proof of the competitor's price in store. For online purchases, call 800-333-3330 and provide the url and item number for the lower-priced product you found.
The Disney Store
Add a little character to your back-to-school supplies with Disney-themed products from the Disney Store.
The retailer aims to help students go "back to cool" with discounted prices on movie- and character-inspired products. Select backpacks, for example, have been reduced to $15 (regularly $22.95). Prices of select lunch totes have dropped to $10 (regularly $14.95).
Verizon Wireless
School shopping doesn't have to only include the essentials. The back-to-school zone at Verizon Wireless includes all the electronic gadgets that a techie student will need to rock the semester in style.
And there are some discounts, too. The price of the LG G Watch, for instance, has been slashed by 56 percent. Students can wear this smartwatch for just $99.99 (regularly $229.99).
[Read: 3 Money Traps of Back-to-School Shopping.]
Wal-Mart
At discount giant Wal-Mart, shopping for school is as easy as searching by grade. The retailer has compiled a list of accessories for students of every age. Visit Wal-Mart's back-to-school section, and click on the appropriate category: preschool, grades K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, top college supplies or teaching and classroom supplies.
Within each section, shoppers will discover "rollback" discounts on staple products for the school year. School uniforms, for example, start at just $4.47. Plus, shop online at Wal-Mart and enjoy free shipping on orders $35 or more.
Overstock
Fifty percent isn't a great grade in school, but it sure is a great savings opportunity. Online retailer Overstock has launched a school-themed sale and is inviting shoppers to "make the grade" with discounts up to 50 percent off on select products.
You can find deals on the following: bedding, furniture, storage, kitchen and dining, bath, decor and lighting, laundry and cleaning, electronics, collegiate and more.
Famous Footwear
The new school year just wouldn't be complete without a new pair of kicks, and now you don't even have to pick just one pair. Thanks to the back-to-school event at Famous Footwear, students can get both the Chuck Taylor Converse and the Nike running shoes they want.
Shoppers can buy one and get a second pair half-off when they purchase one pair of shoes and a second pair of equal or lesser value. Visit Famous Footwear's website to view full details (including excluded styles) of this sale.
[Read: How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping.]
Toys R Us
Toys R Us isn't just for toys; you can find back-to-school items there, too. Visit the Toys R Us website to browse sale products by category, including: lunchbox supplies, school supplies, classroom furniture, teacher supplies and more.
Additionally, shoppers who purchase any backpack priced at $12.99 or more can score a free lunch kit (up to a $9.99 value).
Kohl's
In some cases, stocking up on classroom essentials is only half the back-to-school shopping battle. For college students, there are dorm room accessories to buy, as well.
At department store Kohl's, the limited-time home sale applies to dorm furniture and bedding. Customers can find price cuts on everything from chairs and air mattresses to desks and laptop trays.
Plus, through Aug. 1, you can take an extra 15 percent off online purchases of eligible backpacks, kids apparel and shoes. Simply enter promo code "SCHOOL15" at checkout.
More From US News & World Report
