Being a teacher has its obvious perks (such as feeling like you make a difference and getting summers off), but there’s one that wasn’t as widely advertised when you had to choose your major in college: You can get special deals at tons of retailers simply for the career you’ve chosen.
Some will give you discounts just for being you and others will expect that you use the discount only when you’re acting as a teacher and need to stock up on supplies for your classroom.
Whether you’re saving money for your school or yourself, we’ve found 120 places where teachers can save money while spending money.
Classroom Supplies
Academic Superstore. This online software store offers teachers, students, and parents discounted programs up to 85% off. To make a purchase, you simply need to upload a copy of your school ID or other accepted documentation with your order.
Blick Art Supplies. Especially valuable for art teachers, Blick has thousands of factory-direct items with savings for teachers. There is also bulk ordering available for schools.
Lakeshore Learning Store. Join the Teacher’s Club for free and enjoy 15% off hundreds of items, like games and puzzles and educational software, in-store.
Naked Binder. Contact the company to save 25% off eco-friendly binders.
Raymond Geddes. Join the Get MORE Rewards Club to receive points for a future discount code, up to $125 off when you order $1,000 or more in one quarter. The discount can be used toward this retailers’ many classroom trinkets, such as erasers and pencils.
PBS Learning Media. Register for free and gain access to online content for your classroom, divided by grade and subject.
Silhouette. If your classroom does a lot of crafts or you do a lot at home, these electronic cutting machines can be a lifesaver; the site offers major savings if you apply for an educator discount.
Arts and Crafts
A.C. Moore. Save 15% with each purchase, including sale items. Just bring a school ID or paystub each time you shop.
Ben Franklin Crafts. Get a 15% discount on your purchases by signing up with your teacher ID. You can apply either in-store or online.
Hobby Lobby. While you won’t receive a personal discount, you can receive a 10% savings by using a school check or credit card for any supplies you need.
Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts. Save 15% on every purchase after signing up for a discount card with your teacher ID.
Michael’s. You’ll receive an extra 15% off at Michael’s, including sale items, after signing up in-store.
Party City. When planning a school event or party, bring a letter signed by a school officer on official letterhead and get a discount. The amount depends on how much you spend, but starts at 10% for purchases from $75 to $125. You must use a school check or credit card.
The Container Store. Receive offers throughout the year to help you organize your classroom. You need to sign up ahead of time to get the discounts.
Retail Stores
Big Lots. No year-round savings, but Big Lots does host a Teacher Appreciation Event each year around the start of the school year. You’ll save 10% off your entire purchase.
BJ’s Wholesale Club. This discount depends on your location. Individual BJ’s Clubs sometimes have partnerships with local schools or teachers unions, so ask around to check if you are eligible for a discounted membership.
Cost Plus World Market. Unfortunately, this discount is currently restricted to the San Francisco and Oakland Unified School District, where educators save 10%. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask the manager of your local store if you can receive the same savings.
Costco. Receive $50 in coupon savings when you join or upgrade your Costco membership.
FedEx Office. Apply online to receive your National Educators Discount card, which will save you 15% off most products and services both in-store and online.
West Elm. Sign up and receive 15% off your purchase every day.
Books and Publications
Barnes & Noble. Receive 20% off when purchasing items for your classroom.Also look for Educator Appreciation Days, when you save 25% off your entire purchase.
Book Warehouse. Get an extra 15% off both personal and professional purchases. This discount is extended to homeschoolers as well.
Bookman’s. This Arizona bookstore offers teachers a 20% discount on all purchases through its Project Educate program.
Half Price Books. Teachers, librarians, and homeschoolers receive 10% off purchases all year long.
MagMall. You can receive magazine subscription discounts through MagMall, but first you must call or email to find current applicable deals.
National Geographic. Save $1 off each digital issue of National Geographic. You’ll also find plenty of teacher resources available for free.
Schuler Books & Music. Save 20% off books for the classroom. This includes titles from the young adult, children’s, and education genres.
The New York Times. Get a special rate for the online paper, which starts at 99 cents each week for the first four weeks and subsequently increases to $1.88.
The Wall Street Journal. This deal is solely for college professors, who receive a discounted rate of just $99 a year — that’s more than $200 off the regular subscription price.
Clothing
Aerosoles. You want to look good and feel comfortable when you’re standing on your feet all day. Aerosoles helps teachers by offering 15% off any pair of shoes priced at $39.99 or more.
Ann Taylor LOFT. Teacher perks at Ann Taylor LOFT include 15% off full-price purchases, sweepstakes just for teachers, and teacher appreciation nights. Plus, the store offers classroom grants and seasonal style guides featuring real teachers.
Banana Republic. Banana Republic also offers a 15% discount off regular price merchandise. Just bring your teacher I.D. card to your local store
Bunion Bootie. Receive 10% off your entire order at Bunion Bootie, an online retailer that sells natural inserts to relieve bunion pain.
Coldwater Creek. Snag a 15% discount on in-store purchases, but be sure to call your local store in advance to make sure it participates in the program. Also look out for extra savings during teacher appreciation events, usually held in August.
Eddie Bauer. Receive 10% off your purchase when you provide proof of employment at the cash register.
J.Crew. Both J. Crew and J. Crew Factory offer 15% off in-store purchases to teachers and students with a valid school I.D.
J. Jill. Though not a year-round discount, J. Jill holds a teacher appreciation event near the start of the school year, which usually gives a 15% discount.
Madewell. Just like parent company J. Crew, Madewell offers both teachers and students a 15% discount when shopping in-store.
Old Navy. Old Navy holds an annual teacher appreciation week each May, so follow the retailer on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss it. In past years, we’ve seen savings range from 10% to 25%.
Talbots. Talbots offers 15% off in-store purchases year round.
The Limited. Bring your school ID to the store and receive 15% off your purchase every day at The Limited.
Technology, Software, and Services
Adobe. Teachers and students are eligible for discounted products after providing proof of eligibility. Browse for current offers here.
Apple Store. Teachers and students can save up to $200 on a new Mac and up to $20 on a new iPad. Check out the latest discounts here.
AT&T. Not only does AT&T offer a discount program for educational institutions and libraries, you can also search to see if your school district is eligible for personal discounts.
Bose. Save up to 15% on select Bose speakers and headphones, but you must call them for this discount and ask specifically about the company’s educators’ program.
Dell. Many schools are part of Dell’s Member Purchase Program. Contact Dell or your human resources department to see if you’re eligible for savings.
JourneyEd. Save up to 85% on software from companies like Adobe, Rosetta Stone, and Microsoft by simply providing an accepted form of academic documentation.
Sony. Educators are eligible to shop the Sony Student Store, which can save you up to 10% on your purchase.
Sprint. Certain businesses, including schools and universities, have accounts with Sprint, which subsequently allows employees to receive discounts on their personal service bills. Enter your phone number to verify if you are eligible.
Verizon Wireless. Similar to Sprint, Verizon offers discounts to employees of certain business customers.
Restaurants
Panera Bread. While Panera doesn’t offer a teacher discount on purchases, you can ask for leftover baked goods for free to cater parent-teacher conferences or other school-related events.
Pizza Hut. This is another discount that varies by location, so bring in your school ID and see if the local manager offers a discount for educators.
Home and Personal Services
Farmers Insurance. Here is another word-of-mouth discount: mention to your local agent that you are a teacher and you might just receive extra savings on your policy.
Good Neighbor Next Door HUD Program. While not a traditional store discount, this government program offers teachers and other public servants incentives to buy a house in a neighborhood that is being revitalized. You can receive a 50% discount on your home purchase, though you must use the home as your primary residence for at least 3 years.
Homes for Heroes. If you are about to sell or purchase a home, look for Homes for Heroes affiliates in your area. These are real estate agents, lenders, and title companies offering discounts to public servants, including teachers. For example, real estate agents give eligible homebuyers 25% of their gross commission at closing.
Liberty Mutual. Receive additional coverage for free, including a $0 deductible if your vehicle is vandalized on school property or while driving on school business.
Sherwin Williams. Rumor has it that Sherwin Williams stores will give teachers a range of discounts on paints. While we couldn’t confirm this, it doesn’t hurt to ask the manager.
Travel and Leisure
Transportation and Lodging
Alamo Rent A Car. Alamo offers periodic deals for teachers; most recently, we saw a promotion for an extra $25 discount on any rental.
Aston Hotels and Resorts. Save 10% on your lodging in Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas. You’ll also receive a complimentary room upgrade if one’s available when you get there.
BedandBreakfast.com. Each year, BedandBreakfast.com provides significant savings for teachers during the summer months. Check back frequently for 2015 deals across the nation.
Red Roof Inn. If you’re a member of the National Education Association, you’ll receive a 20% discount at any Red Roof Inn.
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Browse online or call to find discounts exclusive to teachers at this resort for your next Disney trip.
Things to Do
General Activities
AMC Theaters. This one varies by locale, so ask your school district if it has a partnership with your local theater.
Medieval Times. Medieval Times uses Teacher Appreciation Month (May) to provide educators with 50% off admission to an evening weekday show.
Vacations To Go. If you’re considering a cruise for your next vacation, browse for special discounts on the site of this cruise clearinghouse. Deals are available for both active and retired teachers.
New England
Boston Children’s Museum. New England K-8 teachers receive free admission.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston). Members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association receive 50% admission or buy one, get one free for a pair of tickets.
New England Aquarium (Boston). Teachers in New England K-12 schools get free admission, in addition to other benefits like discounted IMAX admission.
Mid-Atlantic and South
Broadway (New York). If you attend Broadway shows frequently, consider joining the Theatre Development Fund. For an annual membership fee of $30, teachers and other public service professionals gain access to discounts up to 70% off.
Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh). Receive free admission once a year to preview the exhibits at the Carnegie Science Center. This discount is exclusive to teachers in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, New York, and Maryland, and you must complete a form in advance.
Colonial Williamsburg. Discounts aren’t available online, but insiders claim that you’ll get a discount by showing your teacher ID at the ticket window.
Florida Aquarium (Tampa). Florida teachers are eligible for free admission with advance registration.
Franklin Institute (Philadelphia). Teachers from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland may receive a free year of membership, a savings of $50.
Graceland (Memphis). Teachers gain free admission to the iconic home of Elvis, but only if they submit appropriate documentation at least 2 weeks in advance of their visit.
Kennedy Space Center (Central Florida). Florida and Georgia educators can receive a free Educator’s Pass, giving them access to the Visitor Center and Educator Resource Center.
Legoland Florida. Florida K-12 teachers receive an entire year of free admission to both Legoland and Legoland Water Park. Bring proof of eligibility to receive your pass.
Sea World (Orlando and San Antonio). Florida and Texas K-12 teachers get a free study pass to visit the attraction.
The Perot Museum (Dallas). Educators get free admission to the general exhibit as long as they show valid identification.
Zoo Miami. Miami-Dade County employees receive $4 off adult admission and $2 off kids admission.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! (St. Augustine, Fla.). Ripley’s celebrates Florida educators with its annual Teacher Appreciation event. Teachers and staff enter free for 5 weeks in early fall, and can also bring five guests for 50% off.
Midwest
Art Institute of Chicago. Illinois educators may sign up for the Art Institute’s Educator Network, which gives them an Educator Annual Pass for free admission for one year. Teachers can renew their pass each year.
Denver Art Museum. Teachers may purchase a museum membership at a discounted rate of $45, a $10 savings from the $55 full price.
Milwaukee Public Museum. The free Educator Hall Pass gives you unlimited access to the museum and the Dome Theater, as well as discounted parking and more.
Science Museum of Minnesota. Minnesota teachers receive a discount on museum memberships: $84 for a household discount (a $15 savings) and $58 for a dual membership (a savings of $11).
Shedd Aquarium of Chicago. Teachers from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin may send in for a free admission voucher.
The Field Museum (Chicago). Illinois teachers are eligible to receive a complimentary museum admission.
The Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum (Missouri). Fill out a form and receive a discount on admission.
West Coast
Disneyland. While Disneyland doesn’t offer daily discounts, some state teachers associations often strike a deal for their members. Call your association to check on any upcoming discounts.
Legoland California. California teachers receive free admission on select weekends throughout the year; just be sure to reserve tickets in advance.
Sea World (San Diego). California K-12 teachers get a free study pass to visit the attraction.
The Tech Museum of Innovation (San Jose). California teachers can save $15 on individual membership (priced at $25) and $20 on a family membership (priced at $90). You’ll also get a number of perks like discounts on IMAX admission, free admission to After Hours and discounted tickets for your guests.
NEA Member Discounts
Teachers across the nation become members of the National Education Association, which advocates on behalf of public school educators and provides resources for use both in and out of the classroom. Annual dues for individuals are only $24 and member benefits include savings at retailers across the nation. Here are some of our favorite places for NEA members to save.
1-800-Flowers.com. Receive a 20% discount on any 1-800-Flowers or 1-800-Baskets purchase.
AT&T. Save 15% on your monthly service as well as a $50 credit towards each new activation.
Chrysler. Join the NEA Auto Buying Program for an average savings of $3,221 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car. NEA members enjoy member discounts, no blackout dates, and free pickups and returns.
H&R Block. Check in with your local H&R Block during tax season (January 1 through March 31) for special discount pricing specifically for NEA members.
Hertz Rent A Car. Perks include up to a 25% discount, waiving of the additional driver fee and extra savings on prepaid rentals.
NEA Click & Save. Enjoy a plethora of savings through NEA’s Click & Save market. Participating retailers include Macy’s, Best Buy, Lowe’s, Priceline, Crate and Barrel, Brooks Brothers, and hundreds more. As an added bonus, you can invite up to four friends to join for free.
NEA Magazine Service. Members receive up to 85% off over 900 magazine titles.
International Teacher Identity Card Discounts
Offered by STA Travel, the ITIC costs $25 annually, which is quickly offset by the savings from retailers and attractions in both the U.S. and abroad. Here is a list of some of the top places to save with your card.
Abenity Ticket Network
Abenity Travel Center
Applebee’s
Busch Gardens
Chili’s
Columbia
Complete Auto 360
DirecTV
Dish Network
Disneyland
Firestone
Lenovo
Maggiano’s
Men’s Wearhouse
PersonalizationMall.com
Regal Cinemas
Sam’s Club
Sears Commercial
Six Flags
SpaFinder
Target
Teacher Discounts: 120 Places to Get a Discount appeared first on CreditDonkey