It is the email every parent dreads. The book list.
You open the attachment. It is three pages long. Glue sticks, notebooks, highlighters, folders, and the “special” items that cost way more than they should.
Then you see the total. It can get ugly fast.
If you are trying to sort stationery supplies without paying full retail, do it the practical way. Start with the basics, buy what actually gets used, and stop overpaying for brand names that end up lost in Week 3. If you are local and want to stock up in one run, visit Choice Discounts Ballina here:
https://choicediscounts.com.au/choice-discounts-ballina/
The simple rule that saves money every time
Back to school gets expensive when you try to buy “perfect.”
Perfect brands. Perfect matching folders. Perfect everything.
Kids do not need perfect. They need functional.
The smartest way to cut the cost is to buy:
- reliable basics
- a couple of spares for the items that disappear
- only the extras that are actually required
That is it.
You do not need the premium version of everything on the list. Most of the time, the cheaper option does the exact same job.
How to use this checklist properly
Before you buy anything, do three quick steps.
Step 1: Check what you already have
Most households already have half the list in a drawer:
- rulers
- scissors
- pens
- spare notebooks
- glue sticks that are still usable
Pull it all out. Put it on the table. Cross it off the list.
Step 2: Split the list into “must have” and “nice to have”
A lot of school lists include items that are helpful, but not essential on day one.
Must have:
- pens and pencils
- notebooks or refill pads
- a pencil case
- glue stick
- ruler and scissors
Nice to have:
- coloured paper
- extra folders
- extra highlighters
- extra display books
Buy must have first. Then add the extras if you still need them.
Step 3: Buy spares of the items that vanish
These are the items kids lose constantly:
- glue sticks
- pens
- pencils
- erasers
- sharpeners
One spare saves you a last minute run to the shop later.
The Back to School Checklist (functional, not fancy)
This checklist is designed to cover what most students need for Term 1. Your school list may add specific items, but these are the core basics that come up every year.
Writing and drawing
- HB pencils
- coloured pencils or textas
- blue and black pens
- red pen
- eraser
- sharpener
Books and paper
- exercise books in the required sizes
- refill pad or loose leaf paper
- display book
- folder or binder
- dividers if needed
Tools
- ruler
- scissors
- glue sticks
- sticky tape
- highlighters
- calculator if required
Organisation
- pencil case
- book covers if the school requires them
- labels for books and lunch items
The items nobody thinks about until week two
- spare pens
- spare glue stick
- spare ruler
- spare highlighter
If you buy these at the start, you avoid the panic shop later.
What to buy in bulk and what not to
Bulk buying is a trap if you buy the wrong things.
Buy in bulk:
- pens
- pencils
- glue sticks
- erasers
- highlighters
These get used and lost. You will need them again.
Do not bulk buy:
- fancy folders in “trendy” colours
- novelty pencil cases
- expensive branded notebooks
Kids’ preferences change fast. Keep it simple.
The “brand name” myth
A lot of parents think the expensive brand will last longer.
Sometimes it does. Most of the time, it does not matter.
A glue stick is a glue stick.
A ruler is a ruler.
A notebook is a notebook.
The real reason items get replaced is not quality. It is because they get lost, borrowed, chewed, or destroyed in the bottom of the bag.
So buy smart. Save the money for shoes and uniforms. Those are the items that actually cost you.
Mid-post link rule (department overview)
If you want to see the broad department mix we carry in-store, including everyday essentials and stationery ranges, start here:
https://choicediscounts.com.au/our-products/
The Term 1 plan that stops you wasting money
The biggest back-to-school waste happens when you buy everything at once.
It feels efficient. It also means you buy items that never get used.
A smarter plan is to shop in two rounds.
Round 1: Term 1 essentials only
Buy what your child needs for the first two to three weeks:
- notebooks and basic books
- pencils and pens
- ruler and scissors
- glue stick and tape
- one folder and one display book
- one pencil case
That gets them started without overloading the bag.
Round 2: Top-ups based on what they actually use
After a couple of weeks, you will know what is getting used and what is not. That is when you top up:
- spare pens and pencils
- extra glue sticks
- extra highlighters
- extra paper or books if they are running low
This is how you avoid buying three display books that never leave the classroom.
Match the supplies to the age group (without overthinking it)
A lot of school lists are written for “students” in general. But a Year 1 bag does not need to be packed like a Year 11 bag.
Here is the practical approach.
Early years and primary school
Keep it simple and durable:
- thicker pencils if possible
- easy grip scissors
- sturdy pencil case
- basic glue sticks
- simple rulers
Primary students lose things. They also break things. Do not buy premium versions of items that will not survive Term 1.
Upper primary and early high school
This is where organisation starts to matter:
- folders and dividers can help
- a display book becomes more useful
- a calculator might be required
- spare pens become essential
Still, do not overbuy. Most students settle into a routine by Week 3.
Senior years
Senior students usually need:
- more paper and notebooks
- more reliable pens
- specific calculators
- folders and dividers that make sense for their subjects
This is where quality can matter more, but it still does not mean every item needs to be premium.
The best savings still come from buying the basics smart.
The hidden costs that catch parents every year
Stationery is not the only expense that sneaks in.
These are the “forgotten” items that often cost more at the last minute.
Labels and organisation
Labels sound small, but they save money because they stop items disappearing.
Label:
- drink bottles
- lunch boxes
- pencil cases
- school hats
The lunchbox top-up
Most families replace these mid-term:
- lunchbox containers
- spare water bottle
- freezer packs
- small snack containers
If you are already shopping for stationery supplies, it is worth checking what needs replacing in the lunch setup too.
You do not need designer brands. You need items that survive the school week.
