GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Back-to-school supplies for just one child can set you back about $40. Add that to new clothes, food and other school year costs and even a first grader can tell you that adds up. So here are some lessons on how to spend the least amount of money and still get everything on that checklist.

"Sales, good sales," says Cathy Latham, shopping for seven school age grand kids.

Parents are searching far and wide for the best back-to-school deals. It's a search Latham takes seriously when she's helping pick up the tab on school supplies for her seven grand kids.

"All you see is money and o my god," says Latham.

A 2009 survey by the National Retail Federation, shows 85% of Americans are making changes to how they shop for school supplies. They're now buying only what hey need and checking for coupons and sales before hitting the stores.

"I've even gone to the penny store. So I've found sales there," says Latham.

Gary Grant, store manager at Office Depot, says there are about 50 items on each back to school supply list. But if you watch the weekly specials at each store, you can save big bucks.

"50 cents six packs of notebooks, 5 cent rulers, 5 cent erasers," says Grant.

Grant says forget about getting school shopping finished in one trip. He suggests multiple trips and advises parents only to buy when it's a deal.

"Every week there's actually things we're giving away," says Grant.

A good lesson to learn, if one store has a good deal, it's likely another will honor that price.

"We will match your price if it's lower," says Grant.

Stores want customers to shop with them, so they're offering sale prices, freebies and coupons.

Right now Office Max is giving free supplies and backpacks to customers who rack up lots of 'Maxperks' bonus rewards.

Last lesson for the day, do as the kids do and get online. Websites like momscape.com, couponmountain.com, and savings.com have back to school deals too.

Great deals Latham and her kids will take advantage of when everyone's pinching pennies.

"It's hard for parents this day in age with money and the economy. So I try to help out as a grandmother," says Latham.

Traditionally discount and office supply stores are the most popular destinations for back-to-school shoppers. But the number of people shopping at drug stores is expected to rise even more this year.

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