Key takeaways:
- US adults who have already shopped for back-to-school or plan to will spend an average of $662.
- A surprising 44% of respondents said they’ve already set aside the money they’ll need for back-to-school shopping.
- 90% of back-to-school shoppers are using at least one type of savings method to cut costs, with the majority (41%) turning to sales, discounts and coupons.
- Nearly three in 10 (29%) shoppers will consider taking on credit card debt or using payment plans such as Buy Now, Pay Later.
Back-to-school season is one of my favorite times of the year. It might seem too early to talk about buying school uniforms and laptops for your child, but one in four US adults have already started shopping for supplies or plan to as of early July, according to CNET’s latest survey. And I’m one of them.
I’ve been reporting on rising costs on everything from energy bills to groceries for the past few months. I’m also a mom who’s expecting to pay more for school supplies this year, so I got a jump start on my back-to-school shopping. I budgeted $300 for supplies, and I’m already chipping away at that. Truthfully, I will likely go over by $100 to cover the costs of uniform shirts for my kids, but I’m OK with that since it won’t hit my pockets all at once.
Like me, 90% of Americans have a method to help them save money this back-to-school season. I loved seeing that this year, more US adults (44%) put aside money for school shopping. Planning in advance can help you avoid overspending and accumulating debt, especially when coupled with sales and state tax-free weekends.
Dasha Kennedy, a millennial financial coach, CNET Money expert review board member and founder of The Broke Black Girl, loves that more families have budgeted for school supplies this year. “It’s encouraging to see families using money they’ve set aside for back-to-school shopping,” said Kennedy. “This trend shows a proactive approach to financial planning.”
Here’s what our latest CNET Money survey found about back-to-school shopping, how parents are affording it and expert recommendations for reducing your costs.
How much are Americans spending on back-to-school supplies?
Parents and students are spending an average of $662 on back-to-school supplies this year, according to CNET’s survey. I’m not surprised by that, especially when you factor in scenarios such as multiple children, grade levels and higher costs.
Kennedy pointed out another factor that could raise costs even higher: back-to-school tech devices.
“With the increasing use of technology in schools, there’s a higher demand for tech products,” said Kennedy. Beyond computers and tablets, there are headphones, chargers, accessories and apps, which are more expensive than pencil and paper. Still, shoppers are planning to spend 11% less than last year, according to a survey from Deloitte, a financial consulting firm.
$662 isn’t a small amount. So how are Americans paying for it all?
Most shoppers are taking steps to save on school supplies
Most survey respondents (41%) said they are using sales, discounts, and coupons to save money to better afford steep back-to-school costs. I know I am. I purchased uniform bottoms for my son during Target’s Circle Week, which saved me $15 all-in. And I just snagged more supplies on sale, including markers and plastic folders that were 50% off at Target, too.
Other savings methods shoppers are using include price comparison shopping (39%), taking advantage of major sales like Prime Day and buying fewer items (33%).
Tip: You can also save on back-to-school clothes and uniforms by shopping at second-hand stores like Once Upon a Child. You can sell your child’s gently used clothes and items, such as book bags and shoes, and buy items for a fraction of the price of new clothes.
If you’re looking for deals, Kennedy recommends starting now. She also recommends seeing if your state offers tax-free weekends to help you avoid sales tax when shopping for big-ticket items like laptops and clothing. According to our survey, 22% of US adults are shopping for tax-free holidays this year to pocket some savings.
Keep a look out for sales from retailers, too. Even though Target Circle Week and Amazon Prime Day are over, you may still find some good deals on some back-to-school items you need now. And there’s a chance for more sales and clearance items later this year that can yield more savings if you don’t want to buy everything now.
How Americans are covering back-to-school costs
The majority of respondents (44%) are using money they’ve already budgeted for back-to-school shopping — and experts love that.
“More families are becoming financially aware and planning ahead to avoid debt,” Kennedy said. Between inflation and the changing school supply needs, like more tech products, Kennedy said shoppers are making more informed decisions on what they need for the school year without breaking the bank.
Kennedy is a big supporter of breaking the cost of large purchases into smaller, manageable increments because it lightens the burden of spending a significant amount from one paycheck. Since back-to-school shopping happens every year, saving for the costs throughout the year can help you plan in advance, without jeopardizing other everyday expenses or goals, she added.
While it may be too late to plan for this year, consider opening a separate high-yield savings account for next year’s costs. Moving $25 into it each pay period (assuming you’re paid bi-weekly) can save $650 in one year.
Fewer shoppers are borrowing with BNPL and credit cards
There is some good news. Most shoppers are planning not to finance their back-to-school purchases this year. Additionally, 14% are still using credit cards, but not as financing tools. They’re using them as part of a bigger payment strategy or to earn rewards. These respondents say they plan to pay their balances off in full.
If you’re using a credit card to finance back-to-school purchases you can’t afford right now, consider a 0% APR card which will give you more time to pay off your balance without incurring interest. If you opt for a Buy Now Pay Later plan, make sure you build the installments into your budget so you don’t miss a payment, get hit with a late fee or hurt your credit score.
You can also use layaway services like Amazon Layaway to spread out your payments over time. This option differs from BNPL plans because you don’t get the items until you make your final payment. And if you decide you can’t afford a purchase, you can have your money fully refunded. Amazon Layaway isn’t available in all states or on all items, so check what’s eligible before leaning on this option.
How to lower costs on big-ticket tech products for school
School-related technology, such as computers and accessories, is one of the more expensive items on supply lists, especially for college. A good laptop, for example, can cost between $700 and $1,000, said CNET’s tech expert and managing editor, Josh Goldman. Here are a few ways Goldman suggests you can spend less on back-to-school tech.
Laptops are always on sale, so it’s best to hold off on paying full price, said Goldman. You can cut back on the expense by checking your local wholesale club, like Costco. Your school or college probably offers discounts or special offers on select tech brands, too. Check with your school’s bookstore or technology services.
You may also find the laptop or headphones you need refurbished. And that’s OK, but only buy used tech from a reputable source. Goldman, who’s been covering computer tech for over a decade, recommends Back Market, Apple, Best Buy, eBay’s Refurbished Market — which offers an additional $20 discount for students. Tech brands, like Dell, also offer refurbished options. Regardless of where you buy from, be aware of the return policy and warranties in case you’re not satisfied. eBay’s refurbished store has a 30-day return policy and a minimum one-year warranty.
However, finding a used product doesn’t always mean it’s the best bargain, said Goldman. “I recommend doing a quick web search for the model you’re interested in to find its age and, if it’s more than a year old, find the price of the new version,” he said. “It’s not unusual to find a deep discount on a new laptop that’s actually less than the refurb price.”
Be skeptical of tech dupes, too. CNET’s video producer Jessica Fierro and senior editor Corinne Reichert recently reported that knock-off tech products are usually of poor quality and usually not worth the cheap price tag.
More ways to score savings on back-to-school supplies this year
We could all stand to save some money. Here are a few of Kennedy’s top tips to save on school supply costs.
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Make a list and set a budget: Write down everything you need to buy and prioritize the essentials. Then, decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.
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Compare prices: Check prices online and in stores to find the best deals. Don’t assume the dollar store always has the lowest prices; sometimes, major department stores offer items for less. Download store apps to compare prices and find coupons online that aren’t available in-store.
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Avoid impulsive spending: If it’s not on your list, don’t buy it. If you’re shopping in person, consider using cash to avoid overspending.
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Shop your home first: Look through last year’s supplies to see what you can reuse. Even small items can offset your total spending.
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Buy in phases: You may start by only buying what your child needs to get started, then buy more supplies as they go on clearance over the next month.
What to do if you can’t afford school supplies right now
If you can’t cover the costs of school supplies, taking up the matter with your child’s school is usually a good first step.
Alaina Fingal, an accountant, money coach and CNET Money expert review board member, highly recommends talking to your child’s school and teachers.
“Many schools send out uniform coupons and many uniform shops have layaway plans to help you spread out the expense for back to school,” said Fingal.
Schools can also connect you with nonprofit organizations and local donation drives that help you get the supplies you need at no or low cost.
Fingal also suggests contacting your child’s teacher to see what items are required. “We discovered a couple of years ago that many of the school supply lists are county-mandated and many teachers won’t use many of the supplies listed,” said Fingal. “We started reaching out to the teachers prior to the beginning of the school year and it has saved us hundreds.”
Methodology
CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,457 adults, including 621 back-to-school shoppers. Fieldwork was undertaken between July 3-8, 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).