How to Save Money as a (Caring) Teacher

Teaching is expensive!!

          I learned this lesson as a student teacher every time my kinder babies needed something. How could I say no when they just needed more glue?! Or when Valentine's Day came around, and I stepped into Dollar Tree (a dangerous, dangerous place for a teacher)...oh, but how they needed cute heart cups with swirly straws and more candy than their hearts could desire. Basically, I fell in love with 20 five-year-olds and it's bound to happen with my own class this year.

More love = more money spent 

          I was in desperate need of a plan. A budget. Something to help reign in this addictive-classroom-shopping-habit. So, this summer I searched, asked around, and thankfully came up with quite a few different strategies for saving money as a first-year teacher. Here's a few tips on what I came up with:

DIY

          First suggestion- do it yourself instead of buying it! I know, I know- Teachers Pay Teachers** has the most beautiful lesson plans, labels, games, organizers, all that. But is it really worth $5 when you'll just have to print it out yourself?? Maybe. But, I believe in you- YOU are just as creative as the teachers on that website! I didn't think I could make pretty things until I tried. Plus, it's summer, so we've got (a little) extra time on our hands (in between PD trainings, of course!). You'd be surprised at what you can make with simple tools already on your computer, such as PowerPoint or Word once you start playing around with them. Go ahead, Pinterest-it-up and make some things all on your own!
          Also, if you happen to have a handy husband like I do, you can always ask him (really nicely) to help build things for your classroom. My hubby made me this awesome easel when I found out how pricey a good easel online costs:

He even added wheels to the bottom and he's planning on lowering it to make it more kid-friendly for interactive-writing time! What a wonderful husband :) Next up...a puppet theater for center time...please, pretty please?! 

Side note: handy person doesn't have to be your husband! That's what friends, boyfriends, dads, brothers, even moms are for!

Garage Sales

      Wake up early and get out there garage sale-ing!!! It's summer, there's tons of garage sales all over the place. The best ones are put on by teachers, but you can still find some really nifty items at regular garage sales. Plus, you can usually barter the cost down if the person selling really wants to get rid of their stuff. I got a rocking chair for my classroom for about $8 as well as a number of children's books and stuffed animals for really cheap at garage sales.

Beg, Barter, Buy Sites

          On Facebook, search "Beg, Barter, Buy" plus your own or surrounding districts/cities and you should find a few groups made for teachers wanting to sell or give away educational/classroom items. If there's not one around you specifically for teachers, set up a new group yourself and invite all your teacher friends to invite their teacher friends to the page!  

Adopt a Classroom or Donors Choose

          If you haven't already, set up an account with a donation site such as adoptaclassroom.org or donorschoose.org where you can present your case as to why your classroom needs money for specific items. I signed up with Adopt a Classroom, shared my page with my Facebook and Twitter friends, and received enough donations to get my classroom library set up with a good amount of books. Check out the links to those websites for more information on how to receive donations for your classroom or school! 

Simply Ask!

          A most obvious way to save money as a new or even experienced teacher is to ask for the items you need in your classroom! 
People to ask:
          -Parents! I've heard they can be a great resource and even though it might be somewhat awkward to ask for things, just remember, most parents are willing to help out if it benefits the education of their child! You'll never know until you try, so just put what you need out there: a note home, with your class newsletter, website, outside your classroom door, etc.
          -Other teachers! Many teachers have stored up items that they don't use anymore or have extras they would be willing to part with. Also, most teachers know other teachers that have retired/are retiring, have had a baby, or simply left the school setting for one reason or another. I obtained most of my classroom supplies in this way. Thankfully, the teacher whose classroom I am taking over in the fall as well as a teacher who left to be a stay-at-home-mom gave me a TON of items for my classroom. 
          -Your Admin or PTO! My school gives each teacher a certain amount of money for the next year to go towards classroom needs. You can always ask if that is something your school offers. Also, if you teach at a Title 1 school, there should be money for items that benefit certain needs your students may have. Once again, you'll never know until you ask! 




I hope these were some helpful tips to get you started with saving money in your classroom, whether you're a first-year teacher or a teacher with a few years under your belt. Now, let's get ready to do what we love- teaching and loving on our kiddos!







**Teachers Pay Teachers is an incredible website and resource for teachers! I am in no way discrediting the site or the teachers on it. I love it! I can't get off of it!