Ah, summer! Sunshine, the lake, baseball and farmer’s markets…and back to school?

When summer comes to an end, that means pencils, markers, crayons, glue sticks, rulers, paper, shoes, maybe even a new backpack. It may seem like it’s too early to start thinking about making your kid’s back-to-school shopping list but now that it’s August, it’s time to think about ways to save money on back-to-school shopping.

Try these shopping tips to save you time, money and hassle when shopping for back to school.

Set a budget.

Before you go to the stores, figure out how much you can spend for various items on the list. If you have older children, this process can be one of many valuable personal-finance learning opportunities, too.

Begin by shopping at home first.

Any supplies already stashed away in drawers from last school year are a bonus, so check the house for pencils, markers, rulers, and paper.

Compare prices.

Don’t go straight to the nearest store to buy all your supplies without spending a few minutes shopping online to compare prices. Some stores will price-match, so a little bit of research could save you time and money.

Stick to the list.

School supply aisles these days look can look like toy departments. While it can be tempting to buy those flashy pens and cutely designed folders, the extra supplies that aren’t on the supply list can quickly add up.

If your student wants to make a splash with school supplies, an OnPoint Savers Account can help develop money management skills and earn interest while setting aside funds for those extra bits of school year style.

Buy the basics in bulk.

Items such as paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, and notebooks can often be bought in bulk at discounted prices. Keep leftover supplies and set up a station in the house where kids can pull items to use all year – this helps avoid last-minute shopping trips when your child hits that last page of the math notebook.

Track discounts and sales.

During weeks leading up to the first day of school, check for coupons from retailers like Staples, Office Max, Wal-Mart, Target and Office Depot. Each of these stores has specials at different times. Sticking to your list can help you find discounts on those items. Look for coupons in your local newspaper or download the free RetailMeNot app to help you spend less this back-to-school season. If you live in Washington, and it’s convenient, consider crossing the border to Oregon to take advantage of no sales tax.

Between books, clothing, and supplies, the start of the school year can be tough on your wallet. Use these tips to keep costs down and save a few extra dollars.