How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping: 8 Practical Ways

Last updated: October 27, 2026 by the TCA Financial Editorial Team.

Back-to-school season can bring a long list of supplies, clothes, shoes, devices and fees, often all due in the same few weeks. With a bit of planning you can cut that bill without shortchanging your kids. Here are eight ways to save on back-to-school shopping, whether your children are heading to a classroom or learning from home.

Quick list: 8 ways to save

Start with what you already have
Set a back-to-school budget
Compare prices and ask about price matching
Use credit card rewards only if you pay in full
Be careful with buy now, pay later
Team up with other parents to buy in bulk
Time purchases for your state’s sales tax holiday
Check school meal programs and supply help

1. Start with what you already have

Before buying anything, do a supply sweep. Check desks, closets, drawers and backpacks for pencils, notebooks, binders, calculators and headphones left over from last year. Try on clothes and shoes as a family so you know what still fits. Cross everything you find off the school’s supply list before you shop; this alone often removes a good part of the list.

2. Set a back-to-school budget

Decide on a total amount before you shop and split it by category: supplies, clothing, shoes, technology and school fees. If you have more than one child, give each one a share. A written budget makes it easier to say no in the store and shows you early if something has to wait. If the total does not fit this month, spread non-urgent items over the first weeks of school; teachers often do not need every item on day one, so it is worth asking.

3. Compare prices and ask about price matching

A few cents on pencils adds up across a whole list, and on clothing and electronics the difference between stores can be large. Compare prices online before you go, look at store brands and refurbished devices, and ask whether the store matches competitors’ prices or refunds the difference if the price drops soon after you buy. Policies differ by retailer, so check the terms before you rely on them.

4. Use credit card rewards only if you pay in full

A cash back or rewards card can return a small percentage of what you spend, which helps on a big shopping trip. It only pays off if you clear the balance by the due date. Many cards give you a grace period, the time between the end of the billing cycle and the payment due date, during which you may not be charged interest on new purchases if you paid your previous balance in full (CFPB). Carrying a balance quickly wipes out any reward. See our tips to get the most out of your credit card.

5. Be careful with buy now, pay later

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) splits a purchase into a payment schedule, typically four fixed payments every two weeks or every month. Many BNPL companies do not charge interest, but most charge late fees if you miss a payment, and your bank may charge an overdraft or NSF fee if an automatic repayment hits an account without enough money (CFPB). Several BNPL plans at once, all due in the same weeks as other school costs, can strain a budget. If you use BNPL, keep it to one plan and put every due date on your calendar.

6. Team up with other parents to buy in bulk

Students in the same class need many of the same items. Coordinate with other parents to buy packs of pencils, glue sticks, folders, tissues and wipes in bulk and split the cost. Parent groups and school social media pages are a good place to organize it, and to swap outgrown uniforms and sports gear.

7. Time purchases for your state’s sales tax holiday

Some states hold sales tax holidays, usually in late July or August, when school supplies, clothing and sometimes computers below set price limits are exempt from state sales tax. Which states take part, the dates, the eligible items and the price caps change from year to year, so check your state revenue department’s website before you plan your shopping. If you order online for store pickup, ask whether the purchase or the pickup has to fall within the holiday dates.

8. Check school meal programs and supply help

School meals are one of the biggest back-to-school costs over a year. Children in eligible households can get free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (USDA), and schools in high-poverty areas that use the Community Eligibility Provision serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without household applications (USDA). Ask your school which applies. Many schools, libraries and community groups also run free backpack and supply drives in late summer.

Bonus: make it a money lesson

Back-to-school shopping is a good chance to teach kids about money. Show them the budget, let older children compare prices or manage a set amount for their own items, and talk about needs versus wants. These are skills that help with personal finances for life. For a family money plan beyond school season, see how to manage money better.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to buy school supplies?

Late July and August usually bring the deepest supply discounts and, in some states, sales tax holidays. Clothing is often cheaper after school starts, so buy only what is needed for the first weeks.

Is buy now, pay later a good idea for school shopping?

It can spread a cost without interest, but missed payments bring late fees and possible bank fees. Use it only for one plan you are sure you can repay on schedule.

How can I get free school supplies?

Ask your school, local library and community groups about backpack drives, and check whether your school offers free meals, which frees up money for supplies.

This article is general information, not financial advice.