Don’t Break the Bank on Back to School

Summer is winding down, and kids are preparing to start a new school year. This signifies an exciting new start for kids, but for parents, it can mean spending a lot of money on school supplies and new clothing for fall. Families with children in elementary school through high school plan to spend an average of $696.70 this year on back-to-school shopping, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s a lot of money, especially for parents of multiple children. How can you buy the items your kids need without breaking the bank on back-to-school shopping? Here are some ways to save.

Take Inventory

Purchasing items you already have around the house doesn’t make sense. “We reuse items like notebooks, binders, and pencil boxes,” says Carrie Miller, a mom of three. “I also save all the pencils from class parties, birthday parties, and other giveaways to use the following year.”

Before you start back-to-school shopping, take inventory of what office and school supplies you already have that are new or gently used. Go through the kids’ closets and remove items that are too small and make a list of what needs to be replaced. Can any items be passed down to younger siblings? Consider shopping at second-hand stores or consignment sales for gently used items to save on clothes, shoes, and coats. Backpacks and lunchboxes that are in good condition can be reused. Once you know what you need, list what needs to be purchased and stick to it.

Do your Research

It’s hard to know if you are getting a good deal on back-to-school supplies and clothing if you do know how much they cost, to begin with. Once you know the average cost of an item, it is easier to do your research and make sure you are getting a good deal. It can be easy to get caught up on saving on small items like glue and pencils, but it is wiser to focus on big-ticket items, which can mean more money saved. Saving $50-100 on a tablet is worth driving across town to shop compared to saving 10 cents on glue. “Shop around!” says Emily Rodriguez. “Last year, I added all the items needed to my online cart at Walmart, Amazon and Target. I was surprised Target came out well under the other two. I was glad to save the money.”

Take Advantage of Discounts

The back-to-school season is the biggest money maker for retailers, second only to the Christmas shopping season. To bring in customers, they are willing to offer discounts, free shipping for online orders, price matching, in-store coupons, and other deals to get you to shop in their stores. Take some time to shop around and find the best deals, sign up for email coupons and deals, and most importantly, don’t forget to use the coupons when you make your purchase. Many states, including Missouri, offer a tax-free weekend in late summer. This is an excellent time for families to take advantage of a discount on clothing, shoes, and other items needed for school.

Buy Later

When looking at the long list of supplies that schools hand out, determine what they need right away and what can be purchased later. You will be able to get school supplies at clearance prices if you wait until September. This is also a great time to stock up on commonly needed items for the following school year. “Purchase items in advance when possible.” says Olathe mom Fia Swartwood. “Clearance sales after school starts are a great time to stock up on paper, spiral notebooks, folders, and writing utensils.” Many families feel the need to buy their children a new fall wardrobe when school returns. However, it’s perfectly reasonable to delay purchasing new clothing as temperatures are still too warm for fall and winter clothing when kids start school. This allows parents to buy items over time or as needed instead of purchasing everything at once. “I shop clearance items after every season and guess on sizing for the following year.” says Katlyn Purkapile, Edgerton’s mom of three.

Leave the Kids Home

As a mom of six, my biggest money-saving tip for back-to-school shopping is to simply leave the kids at home. I arrive at the store with a list of school supplies needed. If my daughter were with me, she would ask for the sparkliest unicorn notebook, which costs twice as much as the plain pink one I would pick. It’s faster and more efficient if I shop for the supplies alone. When picking out clothes, backpacks, and lunchboxes, it’s reasonable to bring kids along so they can pick out something to fit their tastes. Before shopping, give your kids a budget and let them pick something they like that fits within it.

To save money, you may have to put in some extra effort in research, get organized, drive to more than one store, and forgo a few items to stay within a budget. It will be worth the cost savings in the long run, especially for families shopping for multiple children.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and mom of six.