Between backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, shoes, clothes, and long lists of supplies, the amount of money required come August is enough you forget to breathe for a moment.
First, a Retail Dive study reports that parents will spend nearly 22% more on back-to-school purchases in 2024.1 We can expect to drop $475 per child—this, compared to an already-exorbitant spend of $390 in 2023.
Meanwhile, the survey found that despite inflation, parents who earn more than $50,000 do not plan to cut back on BTS shopping, while those who earn less than $50,000 are hoping to find sales.
Back-To-School Shopping Tips
- Consider these effective strategies to cut down on stress and on your total at the register:
- Make a detailed shopping list before spending any money.
- Take inventory of what you already have at home, such as supplies from previous years, or hand-me-down items from your older children, or friends with older kids.
- Check prices online and set a precise budget for the items you plan to buy.
- Plan your shopping around in-store or online sales.
- Search online for coupons.
- Use a cash-back card if you intend to pay via credit card to save about 2 to 6% off your purchases.