Bang for your buck getting your ideal school supplies for less

If you're hoping to get the most for your money this fall, by all means focus on the big-ticket items like textbooks and laptops, but do not overlook what you spend on more humble school supplies. By taking some time, evaluating your needs and shopping around, you can save money.

The Co-op Store, in the HUB, is the most convenient option, but you pay for convenience. Walmart and Staples have the advantage of both price and selection.

Every printer needs its paper. At the Co-op Store, students pay $3.99 for a 500-sheet ream;Walmart charges $3.22 for a similar product. Staples wins on variety. For those who don't   mind  printing  their  essays on copy paper, 500-sheet  reams  can  cost as little as 50 cents. Prices at Staples vary by quality, including how bright the paper is, with the most expensive option reaching a painful $14.99. If you'd like to incorporate some eco-friendliness into your back-to-school shopping, both Walmart and Staples offer recycled printer paper for a slightly higher price than comparable products.

Filler paper for binders and notebooks is another necessity. The Co-op Store charges $6.79 for a pack of 500 sheets. At Walmart, you can get 150 sheets for less than a dollar, and Staples carries packs of 400 sheets for $2.99. With a little math, it's easy to figure out the best value for your needs.Binder prices vary on size and quality. At Staples, the flimsiest plastic covers sell for $1.49 while the largest and sturdiest cost more than $10. They average out around $5, but neither the Co-op Store nor Walmart can beat them on variety. Walmart prices run between $2.79 and $3.97, depending on size. The Co-op Store is the clear loser for this item, charging $3.25 for a smaller binder than can be found for less elsewhere.

Folders are often overlooked, but indispensable for being organized. At the Co-op Store, the most plain folders cost $1.29. If you're looking to show a little school spirit, you can pay $1.99 for one with the IUP logo and mascot. The most basic folders at Walmart are flimsy paper , but cost less at 77 cents; sturdier and more stylish folders there are 97 cents. Staples has the cheapest option for folders; the store-brand option costs animpressive 15 cents each. Like Walmart, quality and aesthetics scale up with price. The store-brand folders are colorful but plain, but 99 cents or $1.99 can buy a brighter alternative.

Staples continues its store-brand success with wire-bound notebooks. The store-brand single-subject notebooks also cost 15 cents. As is the case with the printer paper, there are Earth-friendly options; these cost $1.99. The prices here also increase with style and sturdiness, ranging from $1.49 all the way up to $6.99.

At Walmart, single-subject Five Star notebooks cost $2.97. More expensive options can cost up to $5.68. The Co-op Store loses again, with

comparable Five Star notebooks costing $4.49.

Last but certainly not least is the essential Number 2 pencil. For such a seemingly simple item, the variety in quality is considerable. The Co-op Store offers packs of 10 for $1.24. Walmart's cheapest option is a 10-pack for fifty cents, significantly less than half the price of the Co-op Store.

However, there could be a difference in quality that could make the extra 75 cents worth it. Walmart also stocks 24-packs for 97 cents, $3.27 and $3.84. Staples carries a massive 48-pack for $2.99, as well as a 12-pack for $2.00.

There isn't a clear winner for overall lowest prices; Staples and Walmart each carry the day for different items. The only theme with price as the only criteria is that the Co-op Store is the most expensive  option.

It comes down to your own needs and wants. If  you  value eco-friendliness more than the price difference, go for the recycled printer paper. If your school supplies are just another fashion statement, spend the extra dollar for the polka-dotted folder. And if a quick shopping trip is your highest priority, achieve ultimate convenience by going to the Co-op Store and not even leaving campus.