Parent to Parent: Back to School

WSVN -- Estela Cerda is helping little sister Christine and her friend Ashley buy school supplies at Staples in Coral Gables.

Christine Brouri: "I'm shopping for lined paper, pencils, lead pencils and also erasers."

The girls need a lot of things, and in this economy, Estela has done her homework on shopping for deals.

Estela Cerda: "They know we're having a hard time, so they try to keep that in mind and do try to go out for bargains, two-for-ones, half-off notebooks, things like that."

Store manager Iban Garcia says Estela is not alone. He's seen lots of parents looking for deals.

Iban Garcia: "They're clipping coupons from the newspaper, they're going on-line, they're looking to see who's got the best pricing."

And parents are getting creative. Why buy things like book covers, when you can make your own with paper at home? Instead of buying a new one, recycle last year's backpack, and sales-- they're everywhere.

Ashley Abreu: "I always get the better deal, like if one is 25 cents or the other one's a $1.99, obviously I get the 25 cents."

Many stores are also collecting supply donations. Here at Staples you can donate supplies to those who can't afford them in this economy. Saving money and helping each other is the bottom line for everyone.

Lynn Martinez: "If you need help with back-to-school supplies, contact your school counselor for information on the nearest supply drive near you."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Staples School Supply Drive
http://www.dosomething.org/

Broward Education Foundation
www.browardedfoundation.net/bef_supplies.html#kin

Education Fund
www.educationfund.org/

Adopt A Classroom
www.adoptaclassroom.org/