How to Save on Back-to-School Stuff Like a Boss

aerial view of colorful school supplies on a blue background

Shopping for back-to-school is fun and exciting, but can also be costly and stressful. Like other groceries and goods, back-to-school supplies are more expensive than ever—and our wallets are feeling the hurt. The good news is that you’ve landed at the right place at the right time. We have all the back-to-school supplies deals you need to keep the new-school-year experience memorable and smooth.

7 Tips for Saving Big Bucks on Back-to-School Supplies

For many parents, the back-to-school supply list can be daunting. With the seemingly endless amount of items required, you can spend a lot in a short amount of time. To take some of the pressure off yourself and your pockets, consider these cost-cutting measures.

1. Create a budget and use cash.

Ultimately, you want to be able to afford what your child needs for school—not necessarily everything they want. Here are quick tips for creating a budget for back to school:

Make a wants and needs list for each child, and separate the school essentials from the nice-to-haves. Stick to the needs list before dipping into the wants.
Gather all the supplies lists for each child and build one master supplies checklist. Group similar items together to identify saving opportunities.
Review prices of back-to-school items online to estimate the money needed to afford everything.

Once you have a dollar amount set, put aside the cash to use solely on school supplies. That way, you avoid going over budget, using a credit card, and spending money you don’t have.

2. Compare prices.

Always compare prices when shopping for the best deals. Check in-store and online options, too. While buying online may be more convenient, it’s sometimes a lot cheaper to buy from a brick-and-mortar store. There may even be retailers, like local grocery store chains or big-box stores, that have pre-packaged school supply bundles, ready to grab and go. Some of the most popular retailers that tend to have good back-to-school deals include:

Walmart
Staples
Amazon
Dollar Tree
Target
Best Buy
Costco

3. Shop during sales and tax-free holidays.

Check for sales online or in your local newspaper. Back-to-school season is big business for many retailers, and you’re sure to find sales as early as July. Similarly, many states have tax-free holidays when there’s no sales tax applied to certain items. The Federation of Tax Administrators sales tax holiday for school supplies is August 4-6 in Missouri, August 26-September 4 for New Jersey, and August 11-13 for Texas.

two parents and child shopping for back to school supplies

4. Buy in bulk.

Buy in bulk, if possible. It can make a huge difference in the amount you spend. You can find many school supplies and cleaning items in bulk, including:

Binders, pocket folders, and three-prong folders
Spiral notebooks, loose-leaf paper, and typing paper
Pens, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils
Paper towels, toilet paper
Disinfecting wipes, baby wipes
Rulers and erasers
Tape and glue

5. Use digital coupons and discount codes.

Coupons and discount codes are easy to find and bring big value. Many online stores and retailers share discount codes and coupons after you sign up for their email subscriptions. Plus, there are several coupon-sharing platforms and browser extensions that offer deals for back-to-school shopping. Some popular ones include:

CouponCabin
Honey
Rakuten
Ibotta

6. Opt for generic or store brands.

Generic and store brands have similar quality to their name-brand counterparts but at a cheaper price tag. While the savings may be a dollar or so per item—that can add up after buying all the things you need. Target’s clothing brand for kids, Cat & Jack, for example, is of great quality and is made to be played in. You can usually find Cat & Jack leggings for $5 a pair as opposed to $8 a pair for name-brand leggings.

7. Reuse and recycle.

Just because it’s a new school year doesn’t mean that everything has to be brand new. Consider buying second-hand. Reusing and recycling clothes, lunch boxes, backpacks, sports equipment, books, uniforms, and more can not only save you money—but also help save the planet. To find quality second-hand items, check these avenues:

Thrift stores
Used items websites like eBay and Poshmark
Facebook marketplace or garage sale groups
Specialty and consignment stores

school supplies, like calculator, scissors, pencils, and pens

What Supplies Do I Need for Back to School?

The supplies you need for back-to-school will depend on your school district, your chosen school, and the grade your child will be enrolled in. In the United States, there are 12 grades within three levels, elementary, middle, and high school. Children grow quickly, so it’s important to chronicle how they’ve changed over the years and equip them with the tools needed to succeed. We break it down right here.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Typically, children in elementary school are ages 5-10, and the grade levels include kindergarten to 5th grade. Kids in elementary school are taught reading and writing, relationship skills, math skills, language, critical thinking, and problem-solving. To help them learn, their list of supplies might include:

Scissors
Glue sticks
Highlighters
Pencils
Lunchbox
Graph paper
File folder
Rubber stamp
Backpack
Pencil case
Crayons
Ruler
Paper
Construction paper
Erasers
Colored pencils
Marker pen
Pencil sharpener
Notebook
Pens
Combination lock

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle school can also be called junior high. It often starts at 6th grade in the U.S. and goes up to 8th grade. Middle schoolers range from 11-13 years old. In middle school, students might switch classrooms throughout the day to learn various subjects, including English, math, science, and social studies. A middle-school student’s supply list will likely include:

Scissors
Glue sticks
Exercise book
Highlighters
Pencils
Colored pencils
Pencil case
Stapler
Laptop
File folder
Backpack
Ruler
Loose leaf paper
Post-It notes
Dry erase markers
Index cards
Calculator
Erasers
Markers
Pencil sharpener
Notebooks
Pens
Book covers
Combination lock

HIGH SCHOOL

High school students usually range in age from 14-18. It starts with grade 9 and ends with grade 12. Classes are typically arranged by subjects with different teachers leading lessons in English, math, science, and social studies. There may also be advanced classes that prepare students for college or a profession. A high school supplies list may include:

Highlighters
Pencils
Colored pencils
Mechanical pencils
Pencil case
Pencil sharpener
Pens
Stapler
Erasers
Laptop
File folder
Three-ring binders
Binder dividers
Three-hole punch
Backpack
Ruler
Loose leaf paper
Post-It notes
Dry erase markers
Index cards
Calculator
Markers
Notebooks
Book covers
Combination lock
Tape
Glue
Scissors

The Ultimate Back-to-school Supplies Shopping List

Go Back to School with Ease

Back-to-school supplies are often the least of your worries before your little one’s first day. Starting a new school year can illicit some big feelings in you and your child. Read our article, “Back to School: Tips for an Easier Transition,” to learn ways to prepare for the new school year and remain stress-free when the first day arrives.

five children with backpacks running to school

FAQs

What is the average budget for school supplies?

The National Retail Federation conducted its annual back-to-school survey that measured back-to-school spending in 2023. Including school supplies, it concluded that American families plan to spend $890 on average for K-12 items.

What is a reasonable clothing budget for kids?

A reasonable clothing budget for kids can be around $600 a year. That’s not including teens and tweens, who might be more conscious about brands and styles than value and quality. The average cost of clothes for your kids might be about $50 a month.

What is the most purchased back-to-school item?

Pencils are the most-purchased back-to-school item. Almost every back-to-school supply list includes pencils, #2 pencils, mechanical pencils, or colored pencils.