On the first day of school, most children are sent home with a list of school supplies that they need.  I never use that list. That probably annoys the teachers, but I don’t do it maliciously.  It’s just that by the first day of school, I have already purchased all the supplies my children could ever need.  I don’t feel too bad about not following the school issued supply list.  I have a general idea what’s on it because the list rarely changes from year to year.  And besides, the basic essentials never change.  They need pens, pencils and paper.

I like to begin school shopping early so that I can beat the rush.  Preparing early allows me to also take advantage of special sales and rebates.  My school supply store of choice is Office Max.  They bring together every school supply you need (as well as those you never knew you needed until you see it on the store shelf) all in one place.   

Both my children and I enjoy shopping at Office Max.  Rummaging through the stores makes us feel as if we were dropped in the middle of a giant toy store… one that both parents and kids can enjoy.  

In addition to the ole’ trusty traditional items, they also carry all kinds of cool gizmos.  I mean really… how many ways can you correct a typo?  Let’s see… well… you gotcha correction fluid, tape, film, pen, wheel…  geesh, give me a break.  But really, my kids and I have a good time discovering the latest in school supply inventions.  Hey, this might not be your definition of a good time… but it works for us. (Ok… you might be right… maybe I do need to get out more!) *sigh* 

It seems like the last day of school was only a week ago.  The summer is passing by quickly.  So as the beginning of the upcoming school year approaches, I am keeping an eye out for ways to save at Office Max.

Here are some of the Office Max deals I’ve found so far:

Save $20 off of a $100 in store purchase with this coupon

Save $30 off of a $150 online purchase by entering coupon code 76902528.  This code expires on 9/30/08.

Free shipping for orders over $50

Get 4% cash back from Shop at Home

Get a free Brother label maker with a $250 purchase

The Office Max homepage has a list of current sales

Earn 2 Marriott points for every $1 spent

Looking to earn free miles? Then shop Office Max and…

• Get 1 Delta mile for every $1 spent
• Get 2 American Airline miles for every $1 spent
• Get 3 United Airline miles for every $2 spent
• Get 3 US Airways miles for every $1 spent

Use the Office Max credit card to earn MaxPerks and to receive special offers

Or sign up to earn MaxPerks without an Office Max credit card

And don’t forget to check out this Album of Coupons for Fabulous Savings and Great Coupons.

By the way, Office Max sells much more than school supplies.  As the name hints, Office Max sells everything that you could imagine for your office…furniture, electronics, supplies and more. They offer a wide selection of brands and styles to choose from… for example, you gotcha correction fluid, tape, film, pen, wheel… in jumbo, regular or mini … made by Bic, Liquid Paper or Tombow.  Whatever your vice, they’ve got something to fit your need!