The ABCs Of Back-to-school Savings

 
Uniroyal Tire Spokesperson Stephanie Nelson, The Coupon Mom, Offers Back-to-School Savings Tips

GREENVILLE, S.C. – (August 1, 2006) – The smell of a new textbook. A freshly sharpened No. 2 pencil. Desks neatly lined in a row. August is here and that means it’s time for back-to-school shopping.

This year, the family budget is facing a double whammy – average spending of $443 on back-to-school items plus gas prices at historically high levels. To help consumers maneuver through this very expensive time, Uniroyal Tire has teamed up with money saving expert Stephanie Nelson to share the ABCs of back-to-school savings on automotive costs and back-to-school gear.

Getting Your Car Ready
Before you gear up for carpooling or sending your college-bound student to the land of higher learning, Uniroyal recommends that you follow some routine auto maintenance tips that can add up to significant savings. First, check the inflation pressure in your tires. Research conducted by Uniroyal tells us that most Americans are driving around on under-inflated tires. You need to check your tire inflation pressure once a month and adjust accordingly. The proper inflation pressure can be found in the owner’s manual or on the placard usually located on the doorjamb. The pressure indicated on the tire sidewall is the maximum pressure allowed, not what is recommended for your vehicle. Following this simple tip can save up to three cents per gallon in fuel.

“Making sure tires are properly inflated is one of the easiest and most important maintenance procedures drivers can do,” says Uniroyal® Brand Director Kaz Holley. “Properly inflated tires not only contribute to greater fuel efficiency, but also last longer and perform better.”

Also on Uniroyal’s back-to-school list: make sure your vehicle is properly aligned, has a clean air filter and that the recommended maintenance schedule has been followed. Uniroyal has calculated that these three factors -- along with proper air pressure, shopping around for gas on the Internet, and using cruise control when proper -- could add up to $900 in annual gas savings on a popular sedan driven an average number of miles. For more gas savings tips, log onto www.uniroyal.com. The Uniroyal site even has a “fuel savings calculator” to show people how much they can save daily by following the recommended fuel savings tips.

With your car ready to roll, here are some tips for buying school supplies and clothing:
  • Buy some items early – Inside the classroom, the school supply list seems endless: color folders for science, a spiral notebook for English and a binder for math. Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson recommends shopping early to purchase those supplies that you know will be on the list. School supplies are typically selling at 50 to 75 percent off regular prices before the official back-to-school shopping season commences.
  • Price matching – Before you leave home, check out store advertising circulars for the best deals and take the circulars with you. Nelson advises families to use the circulars as part of a “price matching” strategy. Rather than going to several stores to get the lowest prices, Nelson recommends asking your store if they price match. Stores will often match a competitor’s advertised price when a customer shows the lower advertised price in a sales circular. Plus, you’ve saved money in gas by not driving all over town!
  • Back-to-school fashions – Most children, of course, are more concerned about how they look than getting the right color folders. To avoid overbuying, Nelson urges families to plan ahead by making a list with their children before hitting the mall. Also, review sales circulars and research Web sites for the stores and shopping centers for sales notices and downloadable coupons. If some of your child’s back-to-school wardrobe can wait, Nelson suggests waiting a few weeks into the school year to take advantage of further markdowns that come later in the season.
  • The latest footwear – In addition to checking advertising circulars, Nelson recommends visiting shoe store Web sites to sign up for email newsletters; you’ll likely receive coupons via email for both the store and online shopping. You can also browse the site for printable coupons. Also, consider shopping online. For example, some independent shoe Web sites offer free shipping for purchases and returns, as well as lowest price guarantees.


“High gas prices have families looking for ways to save money in other areas, but they shouldn’t have to choose between fuel for their cars and notebooks for their kids,” Nelson says. “By following these tips from Uniroyal, families can get the most mileage out of their budget.”

Value expert Stephanie Nelson specializes in helping consumers become savvier about finding everyday bargains and value. She knows all the tricks of the trade when it comes to maximizing value and slashing spending in many areas, including automotive, travel, clothing, restaurants, groceries, gifts, theme parks, gardening and entertainment. Nelson is a regular on-air contributor to ABC News’ Good Morning America, a bi-weekly columnist for ABCNews.com and a spokesperson for Uniroyal Tire.

Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® tire series. Uniroyal® tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal Tire online at www.uniroyal.com.

Sources: National Retail Federation, U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Trade Commission, N.C. Department of Commerce, Car Care Council, www.gasbuddy.com, www.gaspricewatch.com. Estimates based on 2006 Toyota Camry with 18.5 gallon gas tank and gas mileage 24 city/33 highway. Savings based on average cost of unleaded gasoline $2.90 per gallon (4/24/06) and 15,000 miles driven annually.

Contact:
Lisa Ball
336-812-2068
lball@trone.com

Uniroyal PR
Lynne Slovick
864-458-6365
Uniroyal - For Everything You Value
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