Back-to-school season is the perfect time for parents to stock up on basic supplies for their kids. Many stores put items like paper and pencils on sale during the school year, but it isn’t necessary to buy everything all at once. Stores tend to sell a few items every week, so you can cross them off your list a few at a time as they go on sale.

Basic Supplies for Students

Pencils, notebooks and folders are the basics of any school supply list. These are essential to any student’s success in school, regardless of the grade level. It is also important for students to have the tools they need to be creative in the classroom. Depending on your child’s age, this might include markers, crayons or other arts and crafts supplies.

Teachers and support professionals often find themselves spending money on their own supplies as well. One analysis estimates that teachers spend more than $820 each year out of pocket on supplies.

Schools can also use donations to stock the classroom, and your contributions are greatly appreciated by educators who are already stretched thin. A simple phone call to the school can help you determine whether your donation would be helpful.

The Basics for Business

Whether you run a small or large business, you need to keep a variety of basic supplies on hand to ensure that your operations run smoothly. Here are some general categories you can consider:

Shipping and mailing

If you have a large or small business that sells products online, it’s critical to have a strong supply of postage and packaging materials. It is also helpful to have a variety of different sizes of envelopes and other mailing products on hand.

Organization and storage

Having the right office supplies can help you stay organized and keep track of your documents. It can also help you make the most of your workspace.

A great way to get started is by making a master list of all the supplies you need for your office. This will help you avoid running out of certain things as the year goes on.

Another idea is to create a spreadsheet to track your supplies so you can easily see where you stand at any given time. This will help you avoid purchasing unnecessary items that aren’t essential to your business.

Keep an eye out for these supplies and be sure to keep a copy of this spreadsheet on hand at all times so you can easily check off when they are running low.

Basic Sewing Supplies

For quilters and other sewing enthusiasts, the basic sewing supplies list is essential. A basic sewing kit usually includes pins, needles, thread, thimble and scissors. It may also include other tools needed for sewing, such as marking tools and rulers.

Keeping a well-stocked sewing kit in a convenient place will give you the supplies you need to make your next project, whether it’s a quilt or another clothing item. It will also give you the flexibility to take your sewing kit with you if you are going on a trip or away from home.