Shop Bic Sales and Deals

At Staples, this 3-pack of BIC 4-Color retractable ballpoint pens is $7.49, down from $10.99. Each pen holds four ink colors in one retractable barrel, letting you switch between black, blue, red, and green without carrying separate pens. Shipping is free for orders of $35 or more. Pickup is also available.  Buy Now at Staples

These BIC mechanical pencils are $2.74 for an 80-count pack, down from $4.99. The pack includes both 0.7mm and 0.5mm point sizes with No. 2 lead that's compatible with most standardized tests. Shipping is free for Prime members.  Buy Now at Amazon

Handy for anyone who keeps losing pens in a bag or junk drawer, this pack gives you a backup stash of smooth-writing gels without paying for a single pen at a time. Target's price makes it an easy grab for students or home offices restocking supplies. Buy Now at Target

Reaching for a mechanical pencil that actually holds a fine, consistent line makes a difference for detailed work like technical drawing or small handwriting, and this 8-pack keeps you stocked without constantly buying more. Target has them at a price that makes sense for restocking a backpack or office drawer. Buy Now at Target

Keeping one pen loaded with four ink colors means less fumbling through a pencil case or desk drawer, which suits students, planners, and anyone who color-codes notes. Buy Now at Amazon

Stocking up on these makes sense if you go through pencils fast at home or in a classroom, since the 8-pack keeps you from running out mid-project. The 0.7mm tip and no-slip grip suit anyone who writes or sketches for long stretches without wanting to stop and sharpen. Buy Now at Target

These hold up well for labeling boxes, jars, or anything you need to mark clearly and permanently, and the fine tip makes them useful for detail work too. At $11.17, that's less than a dollar off the $12 list price. Buy Now at Amazon

Update: The price has dropped to $16.04 since this was originally published.

For anyone doing journaling, planning, or coloring, these felt-tip pens give you smoother, richer lines than a standard ballpoint without the smudging you'd get from markers, and the 12-pack keeps a full color range on hand for less than buying pens individually. Buy Now at Amazon

Update: The price has changed to $37.43 since this was originally published.

Worth stocking up on if you write a lot by hand, since the gel ink glides more smoothly than standard ballpoint without smearing, and the 12-pack means you won't run out mid-semester or mid-project. Buy Now at Amazon