September 2025
Barbara O’Neill, Ph.D., CFP®, AFC®
Distinguished Professor and Extension Financial Management Specialist Emeritus
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Now is the time when many families are shopping for back-to-school items including clothing, shoes, electronics, and supplies (e.g., paper, pens and pencils, notebooks, and highlighters). Americans will spend an average of $858.07 in 2025 on back-to-school shopping for elementary through high school students, according to data from the National Retail Federation. Electronics and clothing will comprise almost two-thirds (64%) of total school expenses or an estimated $295.81 and $249.36, respectively.
What to do? Be strategic and look for ways to save money. Below are ten “evergreen” ideas to manage back-to-school shopping and household spending in general:
Take Inventory First- You don’t need to start school shopping “from scratch.” Check what supplies, clothes, and electronics you already have at home before buying new items. Reuse last year’s backpacks, calculators, and unused notebooks and other supplies.
Set a Budget- There are online tools like this Back-to-School Budget calculator that can help you identify, and estimate the cost of, necessary expenses before setting out to shop. Stick to a written shopping list and a predetermined budget to avoid impulse purchases.
Bring the School Supply List- Many schools provide very specific lists of required supplies. Specific items may vary based on grade level and school requirements (e.g., certain headphones for online or audio lessons). Use your child’s school-issued list to avoid buying unnecessary or incorrect items.
Join Loyalty Programs- Many stores, including office supply stores that sell back-to-school supplies, have loyalty programs that provide exclusive discounts, cash-back rewards, and/or coupons for their members. Example: $5 back for every $30 spent or a few dollars back for recycled printer ink cartridges.
Wait for Clearance Sales- New models of tablets and laptops are often released in the fall and warm weather clothing will start to get marked down. Buy essentials now but delay non-urgent items until their price is reduced. Waiting a few months can result in significant savings.
Find Free Gear- Families with limited resources can often find help in their community. Local churches and/or non-profit organizations may distribute free backpacks stuffed with school supplies or sponsor clothing swaps where people can find gently-used clothing.
Spend Free Money- Some people have money at their disposal just waiting to be spent. Back-to-school shopping is the perfect time. Redeem unused gift cards (e.g., from last Christmas) or cash-back rewards from credit cards to reduce out-of-pocket spending.
Shop Alternative Stores- Thrift shops sell donated secondhand items, often to support a charitable cause. A consignment store sells secondhand goods on behalf of the original owner, who receives a percentage of the sale price when an item is sold. Both are a great places to buy clothing and supplies for a fraction of retail prices.
Shop Dollar Stores- Dollar stores sell a wide variety of low-priced items, often around one dollar, or multiples thereof (e.g., $3 or $5). Their merchandise includes clothing, snacks, toiletries, and office supplies. Dollar stores are often a much cheaper place to get school items than big-box retailers.
Spread Out Your Spending- It is unlikely that everything that is needed for school is needed on Day 1. Try to spread back-to-school spending over several paycheck cycles by shopping several times or paying for some items with cash and others with a credit card that can be paid in full the following month.