Frugal Living: Learn How to Save at Staples

By ERIN TURNER

While I’ve talked about a variety of my favorite stores in Missoula that offer some great deals and coupons, I have yet to talk about one of my favorite places. It actually seems crazy to think that I spend so much time in an office supply store, but I sure do have lots of fun and get some screaming deals at Staples.

If you haven’t ever checked this store out, I would highly recommend it. They have so much more than just office supplies. I’ve bought paper towels, hand soap, antibacterial wipes, and more. It really is a fun, fun store to shop!

But for office supplies, this place is the bomb. Every Sunday they have a flyer in the paper. It maps out all the weekly deals. You can also sign up for their weekly emails where you can keep up to date on their deals plus receive various coupons as well.

The key to shopping at Staples is signing up for their rewards program. It’s free, it’s easy, and it pays!

Last month they were offering 100% rewards back on Duracell batteries.

So, I purchased them at a sale price and then that amount was credited back onto my Staples reward card, meaning I had that full amount in credit to spend in the store.

Yeah, you do have to invest some out-of-pocket expense but stay with me: See, the rewards are good on anything in the store!

Imagine if you will….it’s the beginning of August and the school supply lists are coming out. You cringe at the mere thought of pencils, paper, notebooks, scissors, rulers, crayons, markets, and erasers.

But then you remember your Staples’ Rewards. Then suddenly the clouds lift and the thought of FREE school supplies makes you smile! So, in my case I spent $12 on 2 huge packs of batteries so I then earned $12 in rewards to spend all those necessary school supplies, which usually cost an arm and leg.

The other wonderful aspect of Staples is their Easy Rebates. Almost every week they offer an item or two with a rebate. I absolutely love the rebates.

First of all, that is how I get reams of paper for free. They offer a rebate for the amount you paid for it! This last week I bought four reams of paper. Two of them were 100% Rewards back and the other two were Easy rebate offers for %100 of the paid cost.

The second reason I love the rebates is because they are so easy to redeem. Most rebates are a hassle and if you’re not dedicated to filling out all the paperwork, it’s not worth the investment.

But Staples makes it easy by just going online and submitting your rebate. It takes less than three minutes and within three or four weeks, you have your rebate check in the mail. Once you do the rebate system you’ll understand why Staples has their famous “easy button”!

Staples also has, on a regular basis, their “Dollar Bin” where you can snag scissors, folders, memo pads, plastic bins, and lots of other handy items. My kids love going to check this area out and always find some great deals. Who would have guessed that an office supply store would be a requested stop by children? But Staples is a fun place for all ages!

Thanks to Staples, I no longer dread buying school supplies plus I’ve stocked up on FREE reams of paper. If you start stocking up now on school supplies and hit their sales and deals, you won’t even have to participate in the mad dash for school supplies in August. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

Staples makes life easy and that is priceless!