you all have wonderful ideas for things to do love the little to no money ideas do you carry your paperwork from the state with you to prove that you are hs? or do most places give you the discount if you mention it? thanks laurie
I have wallet sized ID cards from HSLDA and my state HS organization that I carry. You can get educator discount cards from Barnes & Noble, Borders, JoAnn Fabrics, and others (I'm sure). I don't carry a copy of my actual paperwork filed with the school system but some folks do if they aren't members of a HS organization. Rhonda C.
Here in SC one option we have is to join an Association. Many of them will issue a card that can be used for the discounts. I think that places like Joanns and Book It you just do the info online. I always carried my association card because I never knew when it might come in handy!
I always forget to use my HSLDA card for discounts. It never crosses my mind.:| Same goes for my AAA card. Patty
I love my Barnes & Noble Educator card to NOT have it with me to renew the B & N card ...lol. Saving 20% on every kids book/reference book....can't beat it! I use my regular B & N member card for my personal books, gifts, etc....but if its for my children....then its for "school use". I use it at Borders too (same discount). B & N is just easier to get too....our Borders is in the mall so parking is crazier. Rhonda C.
In Texas, we don't have to have any paperwork whatsoever. It seems that what a lot of others do locally is to create their own ID cards. Then, once they get a homeschooler discount card from ONE place, that generally suffices as proof for OTHER places. (Some of them are able to find a store that will give them a card without having to make their own ID cards, and then they use that card to get other cards.) But, since in Texas we don't have to "prove" to anyone at all what we do, the stores are probably a little more lenient. In addition, it seems that the clerk and managers on duty have a large say in matters. There are a few local stores that are infamous for not giving out the cards, so homeschoolers here simply flock to different locations to GET their cards... and then they can use it at whatever location they wish. Personally I haven't bothered with an ID card yet, but then, I don't buy many things to worry about having a discount card. (Though that may change as my kiddos get older....) But, to make their own cards, homeschoolers here just print out some semblence of a card similar to a driver's license, with the child's (or their) picture, some sort of clip art, and generally the made up school name and city/state. Then they just print it out and laminate it.
You can print your own ID card here. http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-id/ If you want the discounts that many retailers offer to educators, you have to request them from the retailer. Just don't be surprised when some turn you away for being a homeschooler. I've had a couple major chain managers tell me I didn't qualify because I wasn't a 'real teacher'. But, I do have one for Joann (my most used card) and Borders.
Amie, that's exactly the kind of 'problem' I was speaking of about certain managers, etc. Around here, they aren't always aware of exactly what is accepted by their chains and what is not and simply make judgement calls. (Barnes & Noble is one where Austin locals know to avoid at least 2 specific locations, and have called 'corporate' to verify that homeschoolers DO qualify, etc etc etc.) Anyway. In those situations, I'd really recommend calling 'corporate' to find out company policy (or finding a website to see if it had info). But yeah. It's one of those things that depends on the store, and then depends on the manager working at the time, in a lot of cases. You just have to ask at each store, if that's what the OP meant....
in all the states I traveled with my dh and his work, I never carried anything, just told people and seems like we had some who thought wow that is neat and some who thought what about social. When we shop just told people and didn't have any trouble.
I know for Joann you have to have their educator card because the cashier has to scan it (or enter the number if the barcode doesn't work like mine).
Aha! I found it! Here is site where you get the access code for the Joann Fabrics discount card. Just follow the directions on the site and your card will be mailed to you.
Here is a site that lists several places that offer an educator's discount card, but it doesn't really tell you how to get the card. At least you'll know where to start.
Border's website has this to say: "Educator Savings Week is just one of the ways that Borders provides savings and services to our educational clients. Our Business & Educational Services program provides discounts up 25% off to schools year-round. Some of our specialized services include: * Personalized service * Significant Savings * Recommendations & Research * Educational and Library services * Convenience Ask a bookseller for details or call 1-877-254-9229 for your local Sales Account Manager. Apply for an account today at: BordersStores.com/groupsavings"
Amie thanks for all the great links i am going to make it a habit to ask before i buy can't hurt i think i am going to have a school card made for us too first i need to find sone pics of myself that are tolerable
Laurie, our cards don't have pix, they are just like a business card. When my now 18 yr old was 12, she flew to Los Angeles by herself. We went to the DMV and got her a state id made. This later came in handy when she got her first job. She was already in their system and all they did was update her info and printed her a new card for like $5.
did the state id inclued the fact that she is homeschooled that really is a great idea it is right up there with a drivers lic for excepted id here laurie
