School supply shopping used to be a quick trip to grab notebooks and pencils. Now it’s: “Wait, how did I just spend $570 and we haven’t even gotten to the clothes yet?” If you’re feeling that sticker shock, you’re not alone, and the numbers back up why this annual ritual hits so hard.
The reality of back-to-school spending
Back-to-school shopping will take a significant bite out of your budget this year. Parents expect to spend an average of $570 per K-12 student in 2025, with total national spending reaching approximately $30.90 billion. That’s essentially flat compared to last year (down just $16), but it doesn’t make writing that check any easier.
Your spending might look different depending on your household income. Lower-income families plan to spend 10% more than last year, while middle and higher-income families expect to reduce spending by 7% and 9% respectively. Two-thirds of lower-income families cite higher prices as the reason for increased spending, while 60% of higher-income families express concerns about the economy.
Where your money actually goes
The distribution of your back-to-school budget matters as much as the total. Spending on clothing and accessories is expected to increase by 6% to $13.40 billion nationwide. Meanwhile, spending in other categories is projected to decline: technology (-8%), school supplies (-3%), and home/health products (-12%).
For individual families, here’s where the biggest chunks typically go:
- Electronics: $325.96
- Clothing and accessories: $257.12
- Shoes: $166.59
- School supplies: $140.39
Be prepared for sticker shock school supply costs have risen 23.7% since 2020, with clothing and accessories showing the most noticeable price increases according to 77% of consumers.
The hidden costs nobody talks about
Beyond basic supplies, there are expenses that can catch you off guard. Parents with children in extracurricular activities spend an annual average of $731 per child. For the 2025-26 school year, 9 in 10 parents plan to enroll their children in extracurriculars, spending an average of $532 per child on fees and equipment (which is $50 less than in 2024).
Sports participation alone can cost $150 for middle school students and $375 for high schoolers. Plus, many schools now request that parents provide classroom supplies like hand sanitizer, tissues, and paper towels.
Other often-overlooked expenses include school pictures (cited by 40% of elementary school parents as their biggest in-year expense), yearbooks, and technology requirements like headphones. College prep costs for high schoolers, including study materials and exam fees, add approximately $235 to the budget.
The good news? With some planning and smart strategies, you can tackle these costs without derailing your household budget.
Get Your Shopping Strategy Together First
You wouldn’t start a road trip without checking your map first, right? Same goes for back-to-school shopping. A little prep work before you hit the stores can save you serious money and keep you from wandering the aisles wondering what you actually need.
Start with your school’s supply list
Most schools post their supply lists online or send them home at the end of the previous school year. If you can’t find yours, a quick call to the school office usually does the trick. For high schoolers without specific lists, focus on organizational basics for each class.
Here’s the thing about those lists: read them carefully. Schools often include “suggested” items alongside required ones. That fancy calculator might be nice to have, but if it’s not required, it can wait.
Don’t forget about sports and activities either. If your kid’s playing football or joining the debate team, factor in equipment and fees before the season starts.
Raid your own house first
Before you spend a dime, take inventory of what you already have at home. This step alone can save you from buying duplicates.
Start with last year’s backpack. Does it just need a good cleaning, or is it really falling apart? Check inside for leftover supplies, you’d be surprised how many usable pencils, notebooks, and folders are hiding in there.
Next, hit your child’s closet and drawers. What still fits? What’s outgrown but could work for a younger sibling? Make a list of what you find:
- School supplies (pens, calculators, binders)
- Clothing and shoes
- Sports gear
- Tech items like headphones
- Lunch boxes and water bottles
You’ll likely discover plenty of perfectly good stuff that just needs to be rounded up.
Figure out needs versus wants
This is where budget-conscious shopping gets real. Needs are what your child must have for school success, basic supplies, appropriate clothing, and required technology. Wants are everything else: the designer backpack, the trendy accessories, the extra gadgets.
When you’re making your shopping list, be clear about what goes in each category:
Needs: School-required supplies, weather-appropriate clothing, necessary tech Wants: Name brands, trendy items, non-essential extras
Give each child a budget for their must-haves, then see what’s left for wants. This teaches them to prioritize spending, a lesson that’ll serve them well beyond the school supply aisle.
For example, your kid needs a way to get to school, but whether that’s by car, bus, or bike depends on your family’s budget and circumstances. Same with notebooks, they need something to write in, but the design and brand are wants.
The good news is, with some planning, you can tackle this annual expense without the stress. Your wallet will thank you, and your kids might even learn something about money along the way.
5 Ways to Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping
With some strategic shopping, you can get what your kids need without watching your bank account drain. Here are the tactics that actually work.
1. Use apps that pay you back
Your phone can be your best money-saving tool. The Honey browser extension automatically applies discount codes at checkout for over 30,000 shopping sites. Connect your credit card to apps like Ibotta, where users earn $261 annually on average, or Rakuten for quarterly cash payments. Other options include Fetch Rewards for receipt scanning and Upside for gas station purchases.
These apps essentially give you money back on purchases you’d make anyway. It’s not going to make you rich, but every dollar helps when you’re staring at a $500+ school supply bill.
2. Time your shopping around tax-free weekends
This one’s a no-brainer if your state offers it. In 2025, 17 states will offer sales tax holidays in July and August. Florida expanded its tax-free period to include the entire month of August for clothing under $100, school supplies under $50, and computers under $1,500.
Each state sets different dates and item categories, so check your state’s specific rules. Mississippi kicks off the season first (July 11-13), followed by various states throughout August. For big-ticket items, waiting for tax-free weekend can save you real money.
3. Compare prices before you buy
Price differences between retailers can be substantial. A shopping cart comparison found the same school supplies cost $66.67 at Walmart versus $89.33 at Amazon. For the best deals, Walmart consistently ranks as the least expensive retailer ($67.37 for 20 common items compared to the $106.73 average).
Consider bulk purchasing, which saves 20-50% on most supplies. A spiral notebook retailing at $2.00 costs just $1.09 in bulk – a 45% savings. If you have friends with kids the same age, split bulk orders to get the savings without the storage hassle.
4. Hit up thrift stores
Thrift stores often carry high-quality, barely-used items. Beyond clothing, you’ll find backpacks, furniture, school supplies, and even technology. One parent discovered educational materials at Goodwill for just $5.
Many thrift stores receive unopened items that make perfect additions to your school supply stash. Your kid’s backpack doesn’t need to be brand new to carry their homework. Plus, you’re keeping stuff out of landfills.
5. Wait for the real sales
Timing matters when hunting for bargains. July typically offers 8% lower prices than the first quarter of the year. Meanwhile, the weeks following Labor Day see dramatic price drops as retailers clear inventory.
Consider what your student needs immediately versus what can wait a few weeks. Back-to-school sales often extend into September, with clearance prices making patience worthwhile. Your kid can survive the first week of school without that fancy organizer if it means saving 50% in September.
Turn Shopping Into a Teaching Moment
Here’s something most parents don’t think about: back-to-school shopping can actually be one of the best financial education opportunities you’ll get all year. Instead of just dragging your kids along while you stress about the budget, why not make them part of the solution?
These practical strategies help children develop money management skills while getting the supplies they need — and they might just make your shopping trip a little less chaotic.
Give kids a spending limit
Want to see your child suddenly become very interested in price tags? Set a clear budget for each child’s back-to-school needs. This approach helps them understand the value of money and makes them invested in spending decisions.
For younger kids, start simple, maybe $30 for fun school supplies beyond the basics. Teens can handle larger budgets that include clothing and technology items, which gives them more real-world practice with bigger financial decisions.
“Be open about how much you can spend on them so they can get into the mindset of considering each purchase carefully,” advises financial experts. This transparency helps children understand financial boundaries early on.
Let them choose within a budget
Once you’ve established spending limits, step back and let your children make decisions. Allow them to select their own styles of clothing and accessories within budget constraints. This freedom helps them feel confident about their choices while learning to manage limited resources.
Make shopping interactive by appointing your child as “Budgeter in Chief.” At checkout, have them handle the transaction, whether counting cash or understanding how credit cards work. This hands-on experience reinforces the reality of exchanging money for goods.
You might be surprised how quickly they start comparing prices when it’s their budget on the line.
Discuss needs vs wants with them
Use shopping trips to teach the critical difference between necessities and desires. Explain that needs are essential items required for school success, whereas wants are things that would be nice to have but aren’t required.
Grocery shopping provides an excellent opportunity to practice this distinction. As you select each item, ask your child whether it’s a need or want, then explain your reasoning. This exercise builds critical thinking about spending priorities.
Don’t expect them to get it right every time, that’s part of the learning process.
Encourage saving for extras
If your child wants expensive items beyond the basic budget, help them save for these extras. Consider matching their savings contributions to motivate their efforts. After completing your shopping, review purchases together and discuss what they learned about budgeting.
For items left on wish lists, create a savings plan together. This teaches delayed gratification and planning skills that extend beyond back-to-school season. Whatever amount remains from shopping can start their savings fund for next year’s supplies.
The goal isn’t to turn your kids into penny-pinchers, it’s to help them understand that money is a tool that requires thought and planning to use well.
Your Back-to-School Budget Doesn’t Have to Be a Nightmare
Back-to-school shopping feels more expensive every year, and honestly, it is. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to let August shopping trips wreck your budget or stress you out completely.
Your family’s back-to-school needs will never look exactly like your neighbor’s. What your kids actually need, where you live, how many children you’re outfitting, it all factors in. The good news is, with some key strategies, you can get through this season without watching your bank account take a massive hit.
The most important step? Taking inventory before you shop. You’d be surprised how much usable stuff is hiding in closets and drawers. Those half-used notebooks and barely-worn clothes can save you serious money if you just take the time to look.
Smart shopping tactics make your dollars stretch further. Tax-free weekends offer immediate relief, while comparing prices between stores can cut your total bill significantly. Thrift stores and secondhand options provide quality items at a fraction of retail prices, and your teenager probably won’t even notice the difference.
But here’s what really matters: this whole process is actually a great opportunity to teach your kids about money. When you give them spending limits and let them make choices within those boundaries, you’re planting seeds for lifelong financial literacy. They’ll start understanding that money isn’t unlimited and that choices have consequences.
The rising costs aren’t going anywhere, but your approach to handling them sets the tone for the entire school year. These budget-conscious habits extend well beyond August, creating a foundation for smarter spending throughout the year.
Ready to tackle back-to-school shopping without going broke? Start with your inventory check today, make your lists, and approach this season with confidence. Your wallet and your kids will thank you.
