Tips for Smart Back-to-School Shopping

Back-to-school shopping costs add up faster than you think. This year, 57% of parents are concerned about inflation’s impact on the cost of school supplies. It makes sense—back-to-school spending is expected to reach a new high of $661 per student, up 8% from last year.¹

However, it’s important to be mindful that spending may look different for an elementary school child than a high school student. Supply lists tend to become more expensive as kids get older (think crayons versus graphing calculators).

You may also have some supplies on your list that you didn’t need when you were in school, such as masks, hand sanitizer or larger book bags if lockers are no longer available. Whatever back-to-school expenses come your way, we've got you covered on how to save money on school supplies.

Back-to-School Shopping Tips

A long list of the most needed school supplies and their rising costs can make it challenging to do back-to-school shopping on a budget, but there are plenty of ways to save time and money:

• See what supplies you already own. Before you start shopping for school supplies, check around the house. You may have packs of notebook paper, a perfectly good ruler and other supplies left over from previous school years. Other items like pens, scissors and sticky notes can accumulate in the “junk drawer” of your home.
  
  As you find things, keep them in one place (like a plastic bin) with a running checklist of what you have and what you still need.

• Create a budget and set limits. After reviewing your income and expenses, decide how much you can comfortably afford to spend. Before you even start shopping, create a list of all the things you really need. Estimate the cost of each item, add it all up and that’s your golden number. Then, work that number into your overall household budget. (Here's an online budget calculator that can help.) The ultimate back-to-school win? Staying under budget.

• Stick to your list. First things first: get the supply list from your children's school to find out exactly what they need and only buy extras if it's a great deal on an item you know they'll need all year, like paper or pencils. It's also wise to consider the quality of the supplies you buy. A $1 binder that falls apart in a month may not be as good of an investment as a slightly more expensive version that will last the whole school year.

• Name brand isn’t always necessary. While popular brands may seem more appealing, getting off-brand supplies can help you save more money while still checking off each item on your school supply shopping list. Check different products to see which will give you more bang for your buck, even if it’s a store brand.

• Spread out your purchases. Spending money on school supplies seems easier if you don’t purchase everything at once. Even though school shopping ramps up in the summer, there are often big clearance sales the first week in September. If there are items you can wait to purchase, consider holding off on those supplies.

• Save on sales tax. If you live in or near a state that’s offering tax-free shopping days throughout the year, this is also a great opportunity to save money and spread out your budget over time. Participating stores will not be charging sales tax on select items including clothing, shoes, computers and a variety of other school supplies.

• Plan ahead. Once the school year is underway, set aside some money from each paycheck for an ongoing “school activities” fund. That way, you don’t have to sweat it when other expenses start popping up throughout the year, like that $30 field trip or a snazzy new tie for the homecoming dance. Or, if your child loses that brand-new lunchbox on the bus, you’ve got a safety net of cash to replace it. Best of all, if there’s any money leftover in the fund at the end of the school year, you’ll have a head start on school supply savings for the next year.

• Shop around and compare prices. Stick to your budget with a few ways to save yourself from paying full price on must-haves:

  • Garage sales can be a major resource of clothing and other items on your list.
    
    
  • Resale shops can also be a treasure trove of back-to-school must-haves. You could also use this as an opportunity to sell or donate some of your own items to make a little extra money and clear space in your home.
    
    
  • Check sale circulars and compare prices, then choose the place where you'll rack up the smallest total. If you're shopping online, check coupon sites for promo codes and free shipping offers to help you stay on budget.
    
    
  • Check out your local dollar store to find the items you need for school at the low price of just $1.
    
    
  • Get crafty and create a few DIY school supplies.
    
    
  • Involve your kids in the process. Back-to-school shopping is a great opportunity to talk to them about money and budgeting. Older children can even help you search out those amazing bargains online, and younger ones can clip coupons from flyers.

• Split bulk deals and discounts with other parents. Nothing brings people together like a good deal. Tag team with other parents who are buying similar items and create a plan for savings. Here’s one approach: If one parent has a membership to a wholesale store, they can find school supplies. If another parent works at a retail store, they can keep an eye out for sales on shoes and clothing or possibly even use an employee discount. A unified effort could end up in less spending and closer connections between parents.
  
  If you’re really stretching your dollars, organize a swap with other parents. You can exchange school clothes, sports equipment and even textbooks and calculators, which can add up to significant savings.

• Start couponing. Many popular school brands from Bic to Kleenex offer manufacturer coupons either on their websites or through grocery store advertisements. Keep your eyes peeled for any coupons on various school supplies, regardless of brands, to help lower the overall cost.

• Visit your local library. Check out your local library to see if they have any opportunities to save on school supplies. Some libraries offer programs or assistance with providing free book bags or other school supplies. A library card can also be a huge help in cutting costs when it comes to books and technology. With a library card, your kid will have access to borrowing school books (although for a shorter time, unless renewed) instead of owning them and will have access to use library computers and other technology instead of having to pay an expensive amount for their own tech gear.

• Find other support or assistance with purchases. There are various nonprofit organizations that offer assistance with supplying school supplies either for free or at a much lower cost.
  
  Organizations like The YMCA, Salvation Army and United Way provide free back-to-school supplies in various communities throughout the country. Find a location near you that offers these back-to-school programs.

• Take advantage of back-to-school sales. Companies will be competing for business and typically offer limited-time deals before school begins.

Do Your Homework

Save money on back-to-school shopping by checking your home for past years' supplies, making a list and sticking to it, keeping an eye out for deals and buying secondhand or off-brand items to stay within budget. By planning ahead and making informed decisions now, your wallet and your kiddo can both earn an A+.