Saving Money During Back To School Shopping

Author Aimee Thomas

July 17th, 2023 10:50 AM

It’s that time of the year again. Back-to-school shopping begins!

A new study done by the National Retail Federation found out that parents are expected to spend a crazy $41.5 billion on back-to-school shopping this year, up from last year’s $36.9 billion! Now that sounds like an insane amount, but preparing your kids for school is a must because if your kids look good and feel good it’s setting them up for success. It can’t be avoided, especially after the full summer of growing.

The National Retail Federation’s survey says the average family with children in grades K-12 will spend $789.49 on school supplies, clothing, and electronics. But, you can save some money by trying to get a head start. You can look for back-to-school sales and special offers, online and in stores. This is just one way you can save a couple of dollars while shopping.

Another tip is to make sure you make a list. Lists will make sure you don’t buy things you don’t need and not to forget anything either. You know me I am a huge fan of Costco and buy things in bulk when you can. For things like pens, pencils, paper, and notebooks. If anything it will save you trips throughout the year.

Also, if you have any unused school supplies from last year, do not throw them away. Reusing the things you can, like backs packs, lunch bags, and pencil cases, can be an awesome way to save money.

The one thing I try to focus on is the shoes. I feel like if you have nice new shoes on your first day of school you go in more confident.

Time flies and before you know it, your kids will be back in school. Especially here in Las Vegas. Kids go back to school so early! Shopping can be exhausting but if you carefully plan it out you can save some money and time.

Aimee Thomas is the morning show co-host of Aimee + Shawn on 102.7 VGS. She has been VGS since the birth of the station in 2022 and has been with Beasley Media Group for nine years doing mornings at various stations in the cluster. Before working in radio Aimee was a bartender at a local restaurant in Las Vegas when a local radio veteran thought she would be perfect in radio because of her crazy stories, knowledge of pop culture, and contagious laugh. Aimee loves writing about new recipes she creates in her kitchen, her favorite artists and actors, and being a mom of two boys.

Las Vegas Parents! Entertain Your Kids Cheap With This Pass

“Dad, I’m bored.” “Mom, can we do something fun.” We’ve all been there, parents. Trying to keep these kids entertained can be tough. Well… a listener tipped us off to a hack that will have any Las Vegas family freed from the chains of boredom for an entire year! It’s called Pogo Pass.

Why all Las Vegas Parents should look into Pogo Pass

We are always skeptics when it comes to “too good to be true” deals, but Valerie swears by it. Our listener reached out to us and gave us the tip of a lifetime. Pogo Pass is a pass of passes for things your kid would love to do! Each pass costs $99.98… which when you see the list of things you get, pays for itself pretty quickly. But if you use this link (it’s Shawn’s refer-a-friend link) you’ll get 50% off your pass. That means you get it all for $50. Steal.

Now of course your ears perk up and say “this sounds like a scam,” and we thought so too. But Las Vegas parents rave about it. There are even Pogo Passes for other cities around the country.

This is sort of like the San Diego “Go Pass,” but instead of a few days worth of savings, you’re set for 365 of them!

What does the Pogo Pass get you?

The list is actually laughably long, considering you’ve probably done these things before.

First things first, chances are you’re bound to take the kids to the water park at least once this year. This pass gets you 1 visit a year to either Cowabunga Bay in Henderson or Cowabunga Canyon in the southwest. That alone can cost $35 for a kid or $50 for an adult. So if you used the link we gave you, and saved $50, you’re pretty much breaking even at this point. What a score!

What else is on the list? We’ve got it right here… just know it could change at any moment.

Las Vegas Aviators
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 13: (L-R) Catcher Cameron Rupp #37 of the Las Vegas Aviators, chef Giada De Laurentiis and hitting coach Eric Martins of the Aviators pose on the field during her celebrity chef appearance.

Batter up! Your Pogo Pass will get you (1) ticket for (2) select games. There are multiple dates through September on the website. You just need to make sure you register for your ticket on time. Registration opens 2 weeks before game day, and closes 48 hours prior (depending on availability). This is among the most complicated tickets to use, the rest are simple.
Battle Blast Laser Tag
Family playing Laser Tag

Located on West Sahara and Cimarron, Battle Blast is just that… a blast! Your kid (or the kid in you) will get (1) free game each year. But Pogo Pass holders also get additional games on that day for $5 each, which is nearly half off! Not too shabby.
Bowling (Gold Coast, Orleans, Sam's Town, Suncoast)
Person bowling to pick up a spare.

This might be the best deal in the entire package. The pass gets you (1) game of bowling per month at each Boyd Gaming property that has bowling. That means one game a month at Gold Coast, The Orleans, Sam’s Town and Suncoast. You can legit go bowling every week for the entire year. That’s enough reason to buy your own ball and shoes.
Bouncy World Indoor Bounce Playland
Kids in a bounce house, how can you go wrong?!

A place we’ve gone often is Bouncy World, which is on Blue Diamond behind Dutch Bros. and Lee’s Discount Liquor (which one to visit depends on how you’re feeling that day). There are some bounce houses, a climby maze thing, a little arcade and more. The pass gets you (1) day at Bouncy World! And we mean the whole day, you can go in and out the whole day.
Discovery Children's Museum
Nothing like a trip to the children’s museum…

The Discovery Children’s Museum is guaranteed to be a great day with the little ones. Their annual pass isn’t too bad! $85 gets two in all year long. But if you’re the “one visit a year” type, this is up your alley. That’s what you’ll get… (1) visit to the museum for your Pogo Pass year.
Las Vegas Lights
We believe that we will win!

Much like the Las Vegas Aviators deal, the Las Vegas Lights FC soccer team will let you in for (2) games for the season! Also, much like the Aviators deal, you need to pre-plan. Registration for limited dates opens two weeks before that game’s date and closes 48 hours before.
Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix
Who will take the checkered flag?

Pogo Pass holders will get (2) visits to the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix. You’ll get (1) ride ticket and (20) game tokens each visit. If you’re looking for a more solid amount of time, you can trade your ride ticket and tokens for a 1 hour wrist band for $16 (half off). There are a couple caveats (can’t use the new adult grand prix ride) but still it’s an awesome value!
Lost Worlds Myth & Magic
Lords and ladies, have fun!

OK this place looks fun! Over 30,000 square feet of fun at Horizon Ridge and Stephanie in Henderson. This includes (1) visit for (1) hour of unlimited VIP Play (which doesn’t include the arcade or bowling they have there). There’s an inner tube slide, a massive ball pit, laser tag (again, nice!), a ninja warrior course and a BUNCH more. You can even upgrade your visit to a 3 hour pass for an extra $10.

The only rub? They require you to use their — likely rubber studded — socks. $3.95 for a pair. Hey. What do you want.
Nevada Climbing Centers
Like Miley said… it’s the climb.

For the kid that likes to climb everything, check out Nevada Climbing Centers. They are located at Patrick and McLeod and your Pogo Pass gets you (3) visits to the joint! It doesn’t include equipment rental (that’ll cost $8)… but you saved $14-18 entering the place!
SeaQuest
Unda da sea… unda da sea…

Nothing like a trip to the aquarium! SeaQuest inside the Boulevard Mall will let you in for (1) visit yearly on your Pogo Pass!
Uptown Jungle Fun Park
Get your jump on!

This is another great deal! Uptown Jungle Fun Park has two locations (Las Vegas and Henderson), and this will give you (2) 1 hour jump sessions to either of them. You’ll need some rubber or silicone footed socks otherwise, you’ll have to buy some. Maybe visit Lost Worlds first, and bring the socks you bought from there.
Velocity eSports
AWSD your way to victory!

Located at Town Square (the old Gameworks), Velocity eSports will allow you in for (1) hour of unlimited arcade play or (1) hour of unlimited console or PC gaming. You’ll need to buy a $3 rechargeable game card if you don’t have one already. Plus if you’d like another hour while you’re there, they’ll give it to you for another $15. Not bad for an hour at the arcade!