Do you love the back-to-school season as much as I do? Other than Christmas, Easter, and my birthday, this is one of my favorite times of the year … especially for shopping. As soon as the notebooks, pens, pencils, and folders hit the shelves, I find myself drawn to them like a bug to light. And if I’m not careful, my pocketbook strings can easily be zapped. I’m the mom who will probably shop for school supplies even after my kids have graduated high school.

One way to prep for the back-to-school season is to keep a tote or closet filled with back-to-school supplies on a year-round basis.

Why? Because even after you’ve done back-to-school shopping, you’re going to need more supplies. My kids fly through pencils. I can’t keep them stocked in my house. I open a new pack of the click pencils, all 24 of them, and two weeks later, I can’t find a pencil anywhere in the house.

Here’s a list of school supplies I recommend keeping stocked at home throughout the year:

1. Binders
These can be anywhere from 1.5″ – 3″. Most of my kid’s teachers want them to have 2″ binders. And even when I buy the heavy duty ones, within six months, they need a new one. Try keeping 2 per kid for the school year.

2. Looseleaf Paper
I keep packs of this on the shelf. One thing I’ve noticed in recent years is that some companies are now making packs of 500 pages. This is more economical than buying the single packs if you have multiple children.

3. Composition Notebooks
These are the bound notebooks, not the spiral ones. Most science teachers, ELA teachers, and others who are doing projects with the kids want these. And even if they don’t, your kids will come looking for something to write in, so they won’t go to waste. And when the back-to-school deals are on, they’re usually a cheap fifty cents.

4. Pencils: Click or Old Fashioned No. 2 Lead
My kids prefer the click pencils. Most teachers prefer kids bring their own sharpeners to class if they use the old-fashioned pencils. It’s less distracting than having kids get up constantly to sharpen pencils.

5. Pens
Black, blue, red. Usually teachers want the kdis to have one color or the other plus red. And just like pencils, pens disappear quickly.

6. Erasers
Especially the pink ones. They work the best. Although some teachers will want kids to have the kind that you can put on top of the pencils.

7. Colored Pencils and/or Crayons
I keep these in supply because half of my kids like to draw and color. And now I color in adult coloring books. My preferred pencils and crayons are Crayola brand. They color smoothly compared to others. And their colors are deeper and brighter than others.

8. Folders
One can never have too many plastic folders with prongs and pockets. Paper folders fall apart too easily, and if a teacher is asking for prongs, that means they will have papers going into them. Plastic will last much longer. And if they aren’t abused, you can usually recycle them from semester to semester and year to year.

9. Dividers
These are for the binders. I typically need at least two packs of eight per kids. I like the white ones with white tabs that Avery puts out every year. They’re sturdy but the less expensive route than the colored tabs. Want a pop of color? Use Sharpies to label the tabs.

10. Highlighters
Most teachers want the kids to have highlighters. Sometimes they say one or two. Sometimes they want the rainbow of highlighter colors: yellow, orange, green, blue, and pink.

11. Index Cards
These are the ultimate study tool. Flashcard heaven. Math facts. Spelling words. Vocabulary. They can be used to give your kids reminders or notes in their lunchboxes too.

12. Post-It Notes
I’ve seen these on school supply lists in recent years. I know my one daughter uses them to make notes for future studying or as reminders for supplies she needs. Other than that, I’m not sure what teachers have students use them for. But I get them, because they’re on the list.

If I can save time and money (particularly time), I’m all for finding ways to make life easier. Keeping a stock of school supplies in the closet is one I’ve discovered benefits my already-busy schedule and saves me from last-minute trips to the store. And some years, I don’t have to shop for everything, because we still have an ample supply from the previous year.

What’s a school supply you love keeping in supply at your house? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!