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Yes, we know — it's only mid-July. You're still in the pool, and summer vacation may have only just kicked into high gear. But families are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier every year, and depending on where you live, school may be starting in a few weeks.
This can mean some major costs, especially these days. According to a May survey by PwC, U.S. parents are expecting to spend an average of $922 on back-to-school shopping this year, including $500 on clothing, shoes, and electronics like laptops, headphones, and fitness watches. Thanks to inflation, 47% expect to shell out more than they did last year — a jump from the 35% who felt that budget pressure in 2025.
So what can you do when your kids' wish lists, equipment for extracurriculars, and the vast array of new technology could potentially wreck your budget?
Some parents are cutting back on clothes, turning to discount brands and dollar-store finds, or buying secondhand to make the math work, according to market research firm MRI-Simmons. But here are five specific tips for keeping a lid on your back-to-school spending.
1. Shop at home first.
Raid your closets, junk drawers, and old backpacks for forgotten supplies. Check if you can spare linens and towels for the dorm. And ask yourself — and your student — what really needs to be new. Last year's unstained lunchbox may be perfectly usable, and those jeans likely have a few months left.
2. Make budgeting the first assignment of the year.
Once you've gathered your supplies from home, create a must-have vs. nice-to-have list. Kids change their minds like changing outfits, so deciding on purchases before you shop can help. Then, set a budget, and challenge yourself to stick to it. This can be especially helpful with younger kids, who might pick up every "Bluey"-themed item they see.
Pro tip: You can also use this as a lesson in saving by setting up a designated fund for next year's shopping trip. Tucking away around $80 a month in an interest bearing account (like a SoFi Vault) may be easier to manage than one big hit to your budget next summer.
3. Time your buys.
An early start gives you more time to compare whether specific prices are lower online versus in stores. Plus, you won't miss any sales tax holidays your state has for back-to-school shopping. For instance, Florida waives sales tax on many school-related purchases from mid-July through mid-August.
4. Join the frugal party.
MRI-Simmons says around a quarter of parents are hunting down deals at consignment and secondhand stores or on sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace — reinforcing that thriftiness is now mainstream. Second-hand buys are more sustainable, and college kids probably won't need much convincing that vintage jeans and a refurbished or open-box laptop are a smart choice.
5. Buy off-brand.
At the end of the day, a mechanical pencil is a mechanical pencil, and your kid won't care if it's from Target's store brand or Pentel's. This logic can extend to the lunchbox, too. A Consumer Reports blind taste test of dozens of store vs. name brands revealed that the discount versions of staples like yogurt, peanuts, coffee, and popcorn can be just as good (or better).
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