School Supplies...Here we go again!

Yes...so it begins...the search for the cheapest school supplies to get my next class through another full year. It is probably one of the biggest things I dread doing each year....spending MY money on other children's supplies. I decided that I'm going to document everything I buy so everyone can see what deals I come across and how much a actually end up spending even before school begins.

This week Office Max had their Teacher Appreciation Day on Sunday (had no clue, but ended up going there on that day by accident)! They had binders for $.20, simple pencil sharpeners for $.01, and colored pencils for $.25. Unfortunately you can only get 3 at a time, so I had to ask in advance if teachers can get more than the limit. They allowed me to double it. So after going in and out of a few Office Max's, here is what I got:

Transaction #1
3 protractors $.05 each

Total = $.16

Transaction #2
6 binders $.20 each
6 colored pencils $.25 each
6 pencil sharpeners $.01 each
Stickers $7.29 (need them for incentive charts)

Total with 15% off = $9.11

Transaction #3
3 ball point pens $.50 each
6 binders $.20 each
6 colored pencils $.25 each
6 pencil sharpeners $.01 each

Total with 15% off = 3.39

Transaction #4
3 colored pencils $.25 each
3 binders $.20 each

Total = $1.44

Transaction #5
6 binders $.20 each
6 colored pencils $.25 each
6 pencil sharpeners $.01

Total = $2.94

At Target, there are a few teacher supplies in the $1 bins. I hate that they now have $2 items in this section as well. When I see something I want, I get so excited because I think it will only be a dollar...only to find out its two. So here's what I bought at Target:

Certificates $1
Name Plates $1
2 Lesson Planner $1each
2 Multiplication Bingo $1 each
2 Bookmarks $1 each
2 Space Puzzles $1 each (we study planets this year)
2 Scheduler $1 each

Total = $18.14 (Sounds bad, but most of these items at the teacher stores around here are $3-5 each)

Walgreens had some items on sale last week. I'm keeping the receipt on these items just in case I get a better deal somewhere else.

10 note cards $.39 each
5 pkg. pencils $.39 each
7 pkg. plastic sleeves $.39 each

Total = $9.16 (I saved $32.75 on this trip!!!)

And finally Wal-Mart. I have found that there prices go down as the school year approaches. I bought crayons and erasers so far.

16 crayons (NOT crayola) $.20 each (I might have almost 30 kids this year....yikes)
4 pkg. erasers $1.00 each
4 colored pencils $.25 each

Total = $8.93

I am on the hunt for pocket folders (which one day will go down to $.01 somewhere), pencils, paper, and notebooks. All these items are still pretty pricey. My total spending so far on school supplies = $53.27. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?