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Save on Back-to-School Shopping
Back-to-School season is an exciting time! And if your family has school-age children or young adults heading off to college, it can also be a very expensive time of year.
Families are expected to spend an average of $612 per student in grades K-12, according to a recent Deloitte report. That’s the highest in recent years and greater than pre-pandemic levels. Parents will also be spending more on tech as all that gear which made remote learning possible follows students when they go back into the classroom.
Navigator Credit Union has these tips to help you save:
Take inventory of what you already have.
There are likely leftover or re-usable school supplies around the house from previous school years. Determine what is still usable for another school year versus what needs to be sold, donated or discarded.
Make a list of what you need and stick to it.
Not only should items for the school supply list be accounted for, but also items like seasonal clothing and shoes, backpacks and lunchboxes, electronics and special equipment for after-school activities such as sports and music. Impulse buying can quickly increase your spending.
Do your research and look for deals.
Determine which stores have the best sales then look for coupons and rebate programs to stack savings. Utilize student discounts whenever possible, particularly when purchasing expensive items such as laptops and tablets.
Shop and sell secondhand.
Take any outgrown or no longer needed, gently used items to a local consignment store to sell. Then use any money made toward this year's school purchases. While you’re selling your items, take a look around for affordable school supplies and clothing to add to this year’s wardrobe. For high school and college students, buy used textbooks whenever possible to save.
Shop in bulk.
Your child might run out of paper throughout the year or keep losing pencils. It’s good to have extra.
Understand return policies and save your receipts.
Keep in mind some items may be non-refundable or have restocking fees associated with them.
Need some help with back-to-school expenses this year? Exclusively for Members, Navigator’s Back-to-School Loan can be used for uniforms, computers, supplies, sports equipment, clothing, musical instruments – everything you need to help your family succeed in school this year!
Navigator’s Back-to-School Loan offers:
- Loans amounts up to $2,000
- A great fixed rate as low as 5.99% APR
- Loan terms up to 12 months
- Fast processing and quick response time
- Available through September 30, 2021
Click here to apply online today!
Earn cashback with every purchase
The Navigator Platinum Rewards card is another great way to pay for school supplies. For a limited time, we’re offering a low 4.99% introductory APR on purchases for six months! There’s also no annual fee, no balance transfer fee and no cash advance fees. Cardholders also earn unlimited uChoose® rewards. You can redeem the points for thousands of options – including cashback. Learn more about this limited-time offer by visiting navigatorcu.org/your-card.
APR=Annual Percentage Rate. When submitting an application for a Back to School Loan, you are authorizing Navigator Credit Union to pull credit in order to make a determination on your request. Back to School Loan interest rates are set at 5.99% APR, 6.99% APR, 8.99% APR or 13.99% APR; there’s also a 6-month 16.99% rate. Rate may vary depending on individual’s credit history and other factors. $1,000.00 financed for 12 monthly payments at 5.99% APR equals a monthly payment of $86.08. Rates and product offerings are subject to change without notice. Interest accrues from loan funding. Offer expires September 30, 2021. New cardholders pay a 4.99% introductory APR for the first 6 billing cycles from account opening. After that, the APR will be 10.90% and 12.90% based on creditworthiness. Offer subject to change without notice. See Visa agreement for uChoose Rewards® terms and conditions. uChoose Rewards® is a registered trademark of Fiserv Solutions, Inc. Visa® is a registered trademark of VISA Inc. All offers are subject to credit approval and membership eligibility. Federally insured by NCUA.