"Back-to-school shopping is a billion-dollar business. With a just-released annual survey from the National Retail Foundation (NRF), the trade organization expects 2024 “back-to-school spending to reach $38.8 billion, also the second-highest figure on record, after last year’s high of $41.5 billion.” But how does that number translate for individual families? According to the survey, “Families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics.”
Ouch. For many of us feeling the continued financial squeeze of inflation (the cost of school supplies in 2023 had increased 23.7 percent from the past two years!)—and who might have just shelled out thousands for summer camps—saving money on back-to-school feels extra urgent this year.
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The NRF survey also said, “As of early July, more than half (55 percent) of back-to-school and college shoppers have already begun buying items for the upcoming school year.” So, if you’re already shopping for back-to-school supplies or are planning to soon, here are eight ways to score back-to-school savings.
Take Inventory of Last Year’s Supplies
Before buying any new school supplies, inventory last year’s items to determine what they really need. Yes, back-to-school shopping is often part of the fun for preparing for the upcoming academic year—and it may bring up some nostalgic memories of getting the latest Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper—but many supplies might not pull such emotional weight. For example, can your kids use the same scissors, backpack, or pencil case they used just a few months earlier? Probably.
Make a Detailed List and Back-to-School Budget
Many schools send out a list of suggested supplies, which you can cross-reference with your inventory list. Then add the necessary items—have they outgrown all their pants from the spring? Is last year’s lunch box emitting a gnarly smell that just won’t go away after cleaning? Did all the Vitamin D sunshine somehow encourage their feet to grow another full size? Then, you’ll want to budget for some back-to-school clothing basics, shoes, and replacement items. Once you have your list, it’ll be easier to keep an eye out for deals.
Talk to Your Kids to Determine Needs and Wants
According to a back-to-school survey by NerdWallet, “More than a third of back-to-school shoppers (35 percent) say they’ll set a firm budget for back-to-school shopping this year. Likewise, 31 percent have talked or will talk to their children about the budget for back-to-school shopping.”
Back-to-school shopping can be the perfect opportunity to talk to kids about money and get them on board with saving for the family. It can also help them determine the difference between needs and wants. Financial expert Julia Lorenz-Olson shared in an article for The Everymom that we should be including children in the planning and budgeting process. “We do our kids a disservice by not bringing them alongside us as we create a plan. They’re going to catch more than we directly teach them.”
Shop on Your State’s Sales Tax-Free Holiday
Did you know some states designate tax-free shopping weekends—often in July and August—that can save you money on back-to-school? For example, by state law in Missouri, the first weekend in August exempts all state and local sales tax on clothing and school supplies. Check out the 2024 sales tax holidays in your state to see if you could save on school supplies, clothing, and electronics!
Look Out for Back-to-School Sales
From Target Circle Week to Walmart Deals to Amazon Prime Day to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale—not to mention the many annual Back-to-School sales—nearly every retailer is going to be trying to capture their share of your back-to-school spending. So make your shopping list now, check prices online, save coupons, and take advantage of the discounts. Here are some of the best upcoming sales to check out for back-to-school savings:
Amazon Prime Day
According to the National Retail Federation, 85 percent of back-to-class shoppers say they will take advantage of Prime Day and other July sales for back-to-school shopping. If you’re one of those shoppers planning for Prime Day, mark your calendars for July 16 and 17. Amazon is our go-to for kids’ gear like water bottles, lunch boxes, and backpacks, but you’ll be able to find deals on classic school supplies as well. We’re sharing all of our favorite Prime Day finds, as well as the mom essentials we already have saved to our wish list.
Target Back-to-School Sales
Is there any better place to back-to-school shop? Target is historically known for deeply discounting some of their key school supplies ($1 crayon boxes, for example). Aside from their everyday great deals on the essentials, Target Circle Week is happening through July 13. You’ll be able to score 30% off kids’ clothes and school uniforms, 30% off Cat & Jack backpacks, up to 50% off select toys, and a whole lot more.
Walmart Back-to-School Sales
We know that Walmart offers low prices all year round, but they offer even steeper discounts during the back-to-school season. From tech to clothing to classroom supplies, some of these prices truly can’t be beat.
Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
You might associate the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale with fashion finds for yourself, but there are great deals on kids’ clothing and gear as well. Shop for classic clothing pieces and shoes that your little ones will wear all year long—at low prices you won’t see again for a while.
Costco/Best Buy
If your child is at the age when they need a laptop or other tech for school, we recommend checking out Costco and Best Buy for the lowest prices. In addition to the low prices and deals that are offered at these retailers regularly (especially leading up to back-to-school season!), you can take advantage of Best Buy’s open-box and refurbished shopping options.
Wait to Shop for Back-to-School Clothing
There’s no rule that says you have to buy their entire wardrobe before school begins. Maybe your child wants one fun first day of school outfit, but most of the warmer back-to-school clothes shopping can be done later in the fall when they’re likely to be marked down and before the weather shifts. Not to mention, that’ll save you time and money if they have a late summer/early fall growth spurt where the sweaters and pants you bought them in August no longer fit.
If your child has to wear a uniform to school, shop the retailer sales and consider checking out your school community groups where parents might be reselling uniforms their kids have outgrown.
Shop Kids’ Consignment for Back-to-School Clothes
Kids consignment stores are a hidden gem for finding high-quality kid’s clothing at a fraction of the price, all while supporting a local small business. My favorite kid’s consignment finds have been Old Navy and Gap jean jackets and barely worn Crewcuts dresses. Not to mention, I resell there, too, so I’m saving money and making money on clothing my kids no longer wear.
No kids consignment nearby? Check out Poshmark Kid’s section or some of our favorite brands’ resale programs like Tea Collection’s Rewear or Hanna Andersson Pre-Loved.
We’re all trying to save where we can when everything feels so expensive right now. Hopefully, by involving your kids in the back-to-school savings, they’ll maybe appreciate their sweet new notebooks or number 2 pencils a little bit more.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor
As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content on The Everymom—including everything from mom fashion to product reviews. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, and was previously a regular contributor to The Everygirl. Jessica believes that fashion should be accessible to everyone, so she is very determined to scour the internet for the best looks for less and affordable finds.