Your 3-Week Plan to Lower Back to School Costs

Back-to-school can be a stressful time. Between school supplies, clothes, tech, activities, and other classroom necessities, the costs can quickly add up, especially for households with multiple children.

This WorkMoney guide breaks down back-to-school costs, what the average family is estimated to spend, and how you can lower yours this year.

Why Back-to-School Shopping Feels So Expensive

Rising costs continue to put pressure on budgets across the country. Families with K-12 students plan to spend an average of $863 on items for the 2026 school year, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s up slightly from $858 last year and up 24% from $696 in 2019.

That’s a lot for some families to absorb, especially when many can’t cover a $1,000 emergency expense.

• 3 Weeks Left: Plan Before You Spend

  One of the most common budgeting mistakes is waiting until the last minute to buy everything at once. A little preparation now allows you to compare prices, avoid impulse purchases, and spread out costs over time.

  Take inventory of what you already own

  Your kids may already have items that are useful for this coming school year. Be sure to check closets, drawers, and last year’s backpack. You may already have notebooks with unused pages, pencils, calculators, lunch boxes, or clothing that still fits. Reusing even a few items can add up.

  Get your child's official school supply list

  Many schools publish supply lists online before the start of the school year. Use that list to determine exactly what your child needs instead of relying on generic back-to-school displays that may encourage you to buy unnecessary items.

  Separate needs from wants

  Work with your child to decide which items are essential and which are optional. This can help prevent disagreements and overspending while shopping.

  Set a realistic spending limit

  Set a spending limit before you shop. Once you have a set number, you can break it down into categories like clothing, school supplies, and electronics. Doing this can help you stay on track and get the items your child needs for the upcoming school year.

  Have a conversation with your kids

  If it’s age-appropriate, consider having a budgeting conversation with your child. Explain how much the family plans to spend and why you’re looking for the best value. It turns shopping into an opportunity to teach smart money habits.

  You can also show them tools like AccessPerks, which offers discounts on clothes.

• 2 Weeks Left: Hunt for the Best Deals

  With your shopping list and budget in hand, it’s time to start looking for bargains. The second week is all about comparing prices, taking advantage of discounts, and finding creative ways to save before making your final purchases.

  Compare prices before you buy

  The same item can be priced differently from one retailer to another. You can compare prices online and check store ads beforehand. Additionally, some retailers offer price matching. These resources can help you get the items your child needs without paying a premium.

  Shop secondhand when it makes sense

  Not everything has to be brand new. Thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, and neighborhood parent exchanges are great places to find supplies and clothing at a fraction of the retail price.

  Watch for weekly sales and promotions

  Major retailers introduce back-to-school promotions throughout the summer, and the best deals regularly change. Keep an eye on weekly ads and purchase items as they go on sale, rather than buying things on a whim. 

  Take advantage of sales tax holidays

  If your state offers a back-to-school sales tax holiday, plan larger purchases around those dates. Buying clothing, backpacks, or school supplies during a tax holiday can save you even more.

  Here’s a list of states that offer sales tax holidays:

  • Alabama

  • Arkansas

  • Connecticut

  • Florida

  • Illinois

  • Iowa

  • Maryland

  • Massachusetts

  • Mississippi

  • Missouri

  • New Mexico

  • Ohio

  • Oklahoma

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Virginia

  • West Virginia

  Consider buying store brands

  Name-brand products aren't always better. Store-brand notebooks, folders, pencils, binders, and other classroom supplies often meet the same school requirements at a much lower price. Save the premium purchases for items where quality truly matters, like a backpack that needs to last all year.

• 1 Week Left: Buy Smart

  With school starting in the next week, it’s time to pick up any last-minute needs. Do your best to stick to your planned list and avoid unnecessary extras.

  Try to leave a little room in your budget for expenses that may come up after school starts. Activity fees, classroom donations, field trips, yearbooks, and club dues can catch families by surprise, so setting aside even $50 to $100 now can help prevent those costs from turning into credit card debt later.

Don’t Overlook Free Community Resources

If back-to-school costs are stretching your budget, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Many communities offer free resources to help families cover the cost of school supplies, backpacks, clothing, and other essentials.

Start by looking for school supply drives in your area. Businesses and community organizations often host these throughout the summer. Churches, food banks, and nonprofit groups may also give out backpacks and other school necessities to families in need.

If you’re struggling, consider contacting your child’s school. Many school districts have assistance programs that connect families with supplies or financial assistance if they need extra support.

Stretch Your Budget Even Further

If back-to-school shopping is putting pressure on your finances, look for ways to reduce other household expenses so you can free up money for school-related costs.

SNAP and WIC benefits for groceries can help preserve more of your budget for supplies, clothing, and school fees. If food costs remain a challenge, the WorkMoney Food Bank Finder can help you locate nearby food assistance resources.

These resources won’t erase the cost of back-to-school shopping, but they can ease the strain of buying supplies for the year.