7 back-to-school supplies you should be ordering in bulk

• No matter what grade your child is in, the proper school supplies can be hard to find.
• Buying school supplies in bulk can save money and prevent future stressful shopping trips.
• When shopping, check the school list for specific needs and shop with a friend to share costs.
• This article is part of "Back to School: Parent Prep," a series featuring expert advice on successfully starting the academic year.

No matter how peaceful and organized I try to make mornings, there's a scenario that unfolds about once a week in my home during the school year. My fourth grader will realize — usually moments before the bus comes — that she's lost some critical school supplies like a pencil, notebook, or folder. I go to retrieve the needed item, only to find that my kindergartener has used up every last pencil, folder, or piece of paper in the house. Cue frustration and tears — theirs and mine. 

That's why, this year, I'm buying school supplies in bulk. 

"Having a stock of supplies at home can prevent last-minute, stressful shopping trips when something runs out," said Derek Sell, a dad of two and the founder of Life and My Finances. "Buying in bulk can be a great way to save money and time. It often results in a lower cost per unit, which can add up to significant savings over time."

Here are the items that I'll be buying in bulk to save money, time, and a bit of sanity this school year. 

Pens and pencils

When I was growing up, my dad always bemoaned the fact that there was never a writing utensil available when he needed one. Now that I'm the parent, I understand his frustration!

Pens and pencils will never go to waste, so they're the perfect item to buy in bulk. Give each child a few pens and pencils, then tuck the rest away safely for when you need them. 

Notebooks and paper

My kids use a massive amount of paper and are notorious for leaving their notebooks behind at friends' homes, on the bus, or goodness knows where else. Worse yet, they've learned to sneak into my office supplies when their own paper runs out. 

This year, I'm buying spiral notebooks, printer paper, and lined loose-leaf paper that I'll keep out of sight and out of mind until they need it. 

Folders

Folders are essential for protecting papers during the back and forth to school. I also use them to keep us organized at home. We use a folder for ongoing homework assignments, another for storing art, and another for school notifications. I'll often grab a folder or two to organize work projects. 

Erasers and pencil sharpeners

These small items are constantly being lost. My child loves to delay homework to search for a sharpener, so having extra supplies on hand will keep everyone on track. 

Hand sanitizer

Even as the pandemic wanes, we're all a bit more germ-conscious these days. I've attached hand sanitizer to my daughter's backpacks. Having extra at home — either as a large refill container or travel-size items — means they'll never run out. 

Craft supplies

What parent hasn't had the experience of searching for glue, markers, or poster board for a child's project, only to find out that the glue is gone and the markers have dried out? Stocking up on these items ahead of time can help you avoid a late-night run to the store when a project deadline is looming. 

Office essentials

Older students often need the same items you might have in your office: permanent markers, highlighters, Post-it notes, tape, and scissors. Back-to-school season is the perfect time to stock up on these items. Sami Cone, a Nashville mom of two teens, even thinks about the tape and scissors she'll need for holiday wrapping and factors those into her back-to-school shopping. 

"It's never cheaper than it is this time of year," she said. 

Tips for buying in bulk

• Check your school-supply list. Some schools ask for specific supplies — and request that you leave others at home. Check your student's supply list to avoid spending money on items they won't use. When in doubt, email the teacher, said Kellie Kopach, a teacher and mom.
• Think about future years, too. Students will need essentials like pencils, pens, and paper each year. Luckily, most school supplies don't expire. "If your student doesn't use all of the bulk quantity of supplies in one school year, odds are, they will need and use the same basic supplies the following school year," Kopach said. 
• Have a storage plan. School supplies are generally fairly small so they won't take up much space. Still, it's important to have a storage plan. Cone keeps her bulk school supplies in a plastic tote in her garage. Mine are going on shelves in the laundry room — well out of the reach of little hands.
• Shop with a friend. Join forces with friends, relatives, or neighbors with school-age kids to spread the costs and save even more on bulk school supplies. 
• Get kids involved. Sometimes it's easier to shop alone, but getting kids involved "instills the importance of preparedness for the school year and responsibility in general," Kopach said.