Back-to-school season is right around the corner—and for many parents, that means big expenses at the worst possible time. For us, here in Metro Atlanta, school starts this week – on Friday. 🫠
With inflation still driving up prices on everything from pencils to laptops, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the growing list of what your kids “need.” But don’t worry: you don’t have to overspend to get your family ready for the school year.
Here’s how to keep your cool and your budget intact—no matter what grade your child is heading into.
1. Start with What You Already Have
Before you even look at a school supply list, check your home. Walk through every space in your home – even your car – and round up all of the supplies you find—even their backpacks and lunch boxes.
Round up unused notebooks, folders, pens, and markers from last year.
Try on last year’s clothes and shoes—what still fits? Create a list of any clothing items your child will need for the upcoming school year. I buy most of our children’s clothes secondhand from ThredUp after I’ve made my list.
Take inventory of backpacks, lunchboxes, and water bottles. My kids are homeschooled but attend a one-day-a-week co-op. Instead of purchasing character-themed lunchboxes, backpacks, thermoses, and water bottles for my children, I buy plain, simple-print ones. This ensures that these items stay relevant even after my child has outgrown unicorns and Frozen.
Action step: Make a checklist of what you need, not just what looks fun on the shelves.
2. Time Your Shopping Strategically
Back-to-school sales typically begin early, but the best deals often occur closer to the first day of school. Again, make a list of what your child still needs after going through everything in your home, and keep that list in the Notes App on your phone. That way, you have it with you at all times.
Shop the loss leaders. Stores like Target, Walmart, and Staples frequently offer heavy discounts on select items to attract customers.
Split up your list. Buy only the essentials now, and wait to see what teachers require in the first week. And don’t be afraid of emailing the teacher to say, “We have a pink folder instead of a red folder – can my child use it for math instead of the required red folder?” In my experience, it’s never a bad idea to ask the question.
Take advantage of tax-free weekends. Many states offer sales tax holidays on clothing, supplies, and tech in late July or August.
Action step: Set a calendar reminder for your state’s tax-free weekend or major sale days. This chart lists all tax holidays by state.
3. Don’t Go Overboard on Clothes
Yes, kids grow fast—but they don’t need an entire new wardrobe on day one. Create a list, set a budget, and then work with what you have. If you struggle with saying “no” (especially if you’ve got tweens or teens), I recommend bringing what you plan to spend in cash. It’ll keep you accountable and help make saying “no” to your kids’ requests much easier.
Start with 5–7 outfits that mix and match. Focus on what they’ll wear most often.
Shop secondhand. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and platforms like Poshmark or Facebook Marketplace offer huge savings.
Use store reward apps. Old Navy, Kohl’s, Target, and Children’s Place often offer extra discounts or cash back to their members. And don’t forget, if you’re shopping online, to use Rakuten to earn cashback on your purchases!
Action step: Set a clothing budget per child and stick to it. Consider a “back-to-school envelope” if using cash.
4. Save Big on Tech Without Sacrificing Quality
If your child needs a device for school, don’t panic—there are ways to cut costs.
Ask about school-provided options. Some schools offer free or low-cost Chromebooks or tablets. Also, contact your local church and see if they can offer any resources or point you in the direction of a charity/ministry that can help.
Shop refurbished. Certified refurbished laptops and tablets often come with warranties and cost 30–50% less. I purchased my MacBook this way, and it came with Apple’s standard warranty. You can even buy used on Amazon – that’s how I purchased my daughter’s Chromebook. Just look for the “save with used” option on Amazon (typically under the price).
Use student discounts. Apple, Dell, and Microsoft offer student pricing or bundle deals.
Action step: Compare prices at big-box stores, online outlets, and directly from manufacturers before buying.
5. Set a Back-to-School Budget (And Involve Your Kids!)
This is a great opportunity to teach kids real-life money skills. Don’t be afraid to discuss your budget for back-to-school with your children. This is a great learning opportunity! And it’s been my experience in teaching my own kids how to budget through modeling it that they learn best this way. They learn now to fear money, but learn how to manage it by seeing you do it.
Give older kids a spending limit and let them help prioritize their expenses. My mom actually did this with me when I became a tween. She would give me a $100 bill and say that was all I could spend on back-to-school clothing, and it had to last me the whole school year. I learned quickly that $100 at the mall didn’t go very far, but $100 at Target, Walmart, and/or Thrift stores went much further!
Let younger kids choose between two items to stay within budget.
Use it as a lesson in needs vs. wants—and how to stretch a dollar.
Action step: Create a simple budget breakdown:
Supplies | Clothes | Tech | Extras—and track spending as you go.
Bonus Tip: Start a “School Stash” for Next Year
Once the back-to-school season ends, many stores offer deep discounts on their leftover stock.
Stock up on folders, paper, glue sticks, and crayons at 70–90% off.
Store everything in a bin labeled by category for next year.
Action step: Add a reminder to check clearance aisles in September! Typically, the grocery stores will have big markdowns on school supplies, too, so don’t forget about checking them out!
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to bust your budget. With a little planning, creativity, and smart timing, you can set your kids up for success and protect your financial goals.
Remember: It’s not about having everything new—it’s about having what they truly need.
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