Back in the ’80s and ’90s, shopping for school seemed easy and relatively inexpensive. I’m not sure if my grandparents who raised me would agree, but a recent study found that the average American family will spend just under $875 on back-to-school shopping for the upcoming school year. For families with college students, the price is even higher, at $1,364.
As a parent of four kids who has been back-to-school shopping for over a decade, I’ve found that the real key to getting through this time of year is creativity.
I have two children, one in middle school and one in college.
My kids range in age from 11 to 19. Two are in middle school and two are in college, so back-to-school shopping expenses are almost as expensive (or more) than Christmas, the most expensive holiday for our family.
Children need school supplies like headphones and calculators, but also shoes, clothes, backpacks, haircuts and lunch boxes. Parents must also factor in the cost of electronics and sports equipment, much of which is now provided for a small fee.
As a parent navigating the expensive world of back-to-school, where costs rise due to inflation, a chaotic political climate, and a fluctuating stock market, I’ve come to rely on a lot of tips. From negotiating with teenage kids to creative savings, I’ve become something of an expert.
I buy second hand goods
One of the first things I did was know my target audience before I even wrote out my list. Shopping for younger kids is easier and less expensive than shopping for older kids. Hand-me-downs are often perceived as cool.
A trip to the local Goodwill or consignment store can be an adventure if you pitch it well. If you make good on your list, you might even buy your kids some cheap toys or books. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a child who loves retro items and sees Goodwill as a trip down memory lane, or who’s interested in sustainability, it can be harder to encourage older kids to shop secondhand.
Local Buy Nothing groups and Facebook Marketplace are also great options.
We reuse a lot
Another thing I always do before I go to the stores is go through last year’s clothes to see if there’s anything I can still wear.
I set aside space in my basement every year so I know exactly where to start in August. While this may not be an option due to growth spurts, it’s a great time to start your own thrift store. I often used this time to pass down clothes from my older kids to my younger ones, and I also had friends to swap with, especially when my kids were younger.
If last year’s clothes are ruined, many thrift stores will buy your kids’ clothes that no longer fit, so you can use the money to buy new school clothes. One of your local consignment stores will even sell you store-bought clothes for the money.
Then, I look at what supplies I still have in the house so I’m not wasting money by buying things I already have. I weigh my kids’ needs against their wants. Sure, they want Nikes and Lululemons, but those are things they can’t always afford.
You can spend your money on more expensive items
If your kids are working, it’s the perfect time to start teaching them about money.
I allow my kids to buy more expensive brand-name items if they’re willing to put their money where their mouth is — which means we buy these items half and half. This helps them learn the valuable lesson of working hard to get what they want, and it helps me stay on track with our back-to-school budget.
The author encourages her children to spend their own money on more expensive items.
Our desire for branded items also helped teach our kids the art of compromise. My daughter wanted a $35 shirt from a fancy store. We found the same one online for a quarter of the price. Neither tag had the brand name on it, so she decided to save money and buy a more expensive pair of sneakers. She then bought a larger size of children’s shoes and got the sneakers for $30 less.
Timing is key
When it comes to shopping, timing is everything. Shopping too early or too late will make things difficult. If you shop too early, your kids will want to get dressed before school starts. To avoid this, you need to set clear boundaries and expectations in advance.
Kids might try on their new clothes, show them off to their friends on Snapchat or TikTok, and then put them away until school starts. The benefit of shopping early is that you can find variety. You can also create a family budget and set aside a specific amount from your paycheck for the summer.
There were a few summers where I waited until the last minute, and it was tough: I felt pressured, so I tended to pay extra, the selection wasn’t as big, I couldn’t spread the money around, and buying a ton all at once didn’t soften the blow.
If the local hair salon has a back-to-school sale a week before the new school year starts, my kids won’t have to wait to get their haircuts. I also plan where to best spend my money and share that information with my kids. If they choose to spend more money on school supplies, it will affect the amount I can spend on clothes. Typically, my kids prefer to spend their money on clothes and shoes, so buying school supplies at the dollar store is helpful for them and me.
As moms, we embrace anything we can to simplify our lives.