How to save on back-to-school from a financial coach

colorful school supplies, headphones and laptops on a desk

The Summer break is nearing its end, signaling the start of the new school year. This period can be challenging for parents due to the extensive preparations and purchases required. Back-to-school season does come with significant expenses. I've been concentrating on crucial tasks like scheduling immunization appointments, sports physicals, and medication preparations. However, there are also major purchases to consider, including new clothes, shoes, school supplies, and toiletries.

Guess what? In 2025, back-to-school expenses are predicted to be higher than last year! With that, the spending is expected to be around $586 -875 per child in K-12. If you have a college student or multiplpe children, you face even higher costs. So, if you have a household with two kids, you might be looking at over $1,100 in expenses. Woah!

But wait, don't worry! I've got your back. I'm here to share tried-and-true strategies to cut costs while ensuring your kids have everything they need for a fantastic school year. As a financial coach and parent, I use these methods every year to keep my back-to-school budget in check!

 Let's get back to school!

Reduce clothes and shoes costs

Clothes and shoes for the school year are essential purchases. Whether you're focused on buying uniforms or casual wear, attire is a significant part of the back-to-school experience. Here are some effective strategies to make savings a reality.

Get excited about back-to-school shopping with a savvy strategy to save big! Start by discovering what treasures you can reuse from last year. You'll be surprised at how many items are still in great shape or can be creatively repurposed for the new school year. In our household, we love giving a second life to essentials like school clothes, supplies sports equipment and electronics.

School Clothes

Reusable school clothes are a sustainable and economical choice for families. Often, there are items that remain unused or can be repurposed for the next year. In my household, key items include: sweaters, jackets, hoodies, and school pride attire.

By keeping these items in good condition, they can be handed down or reused, reducing waste and saving money. For instance, given our climate, these are rarely worn items, so instead of purchasing new cold weather gear, we simply use items again. This approach saves me over 250 dollars.

school uniforms hanging in a closet

Trade old clothes for money  

For my household, clothes that are past their use in size and defects are loaded into my truck and hauled off to donations and others in need. However, at school time when im aiming to save at max capacity, i do send old and gently used clothhesto the second-hand shops first.

The intake at the shops will evaluate the clothes and let you know what they will buy and what items they can't accept. On average I receive about 60 dollars for 3 bags of clothes. The clothes that they do not accept, I donate to my local agencies. Now I have 60 for new clothes, Okay if you are keeping up, I am at 310 in savings so far.

 Shop at discounted stores for certain or all clothing

Another way to reduce costs is to shop at discounted stores for certain items. Discounted clothing stores, including e-commerce, are great for undergarments, socks, dresses, tee shirts, and gym wear. I typically shop at discounted stores for tops then shop for all bottoms like jeans skirts and shorts at a name-brand store. This year I saved 600 from last year on attire.

Supplies

Supplies are so important for the school year. Having adequate supplies can allow your child to be prepared and flourish. With all that big thinking their brains will do, having supplies need not be the worry. Get excited about slashing those back-to-school costs!

Salvageable Supplies

Supplies can be a significant financial burden, especially when preparing for a new school year. To mitigate these costs, salvaging and reusing items from the previous academic year is effective. This approach reduces expenses and promotes sustainability by minimizing waste.

Durable items like binders, calculators, rulers, dry-erase boards, scissors, and pencil pouches are ideal for reuse if they are in good condition. Binders can be repurposed if undamaged, and calculators can save money if they still meet course requirements. Rulers last for years, dry-erase boards can be reused if clean, scissors remain useful if not dull, and pencil pouches can be washed or replaced.

By assessing and reusing these items, you can significantly cut back-to-school expenses. Personally, this strategy saved me over $100, allowing me to allocate funds toward other necessary expenses like textbooks or extracurricular activities.

In summary, salvaging and reusing school supplies can significantly reduce back-to-school spending and contribute to a more sustainable approach to education.

Supplies drives

Another way to save on the costs of back-to-school supplies is by utilizing community resources and attend supplies drives. A supply drive may not provide everything you need for the school year, but it does provide enough supplies to have a healthy impact on your savings.

Most times there are multiple drives for different communities you are a part of. For instance, I was invited to attend a utensil drive where crayons, markers, pens, and pencils were provided, and then my luxury apartments provided all the tenants with coffee and school supplies. I later attended the school districts annual back-to-school party and also obtained supplies there.

So, throughout salvaging previous school year supplies and using my community resources, I saved over 350 in school supplies. I know you’ve been counting but I am at a total savings of about 1260.

Community back to school supplies party

Split shopping to next month's cycle

  As your financial coach, I’m here to tell you it is okay to buy as the school year progresses. They can’t use all the items in one day and as long as their essentials are covered, they will have a healthy start to their new education year.

Your budget may call for only certain amounts to be spent and the next income source can buy more supplies and items. If you need guidance in creating a budget check out my blog à

Tax-free weekend

Tax-free weekend is a period when state taxes are voided for certain items and purchases are state tax-free. Even though these holidays are in only 20 states, if you can participate, you could save a chunk of cash. This is the period when I wait to buy the remaining items I need for school because I can save even more on certain items. According to the Federation of Tax Administrators here are the states that offer tax-free weekends.

Takeaway

The biggest thing to remember is that no matter how you're dealing with going back to school we can all try to save a little. In the matter of this blog, I broke down a proven strategy to save on items and reduce expenses from your monthly budget. Small efforts to save on all items added up to a savings of over 1200. This is why I always say coins turn to dollars and then to financial freedom. My savings account looks 1200 dollars stronger because of my savvy saving decisions.  Now I can take those savings and make them stretch further to the next big idea.

Keep putting in small efforts and stick with it, I promise you will be financially successful.

Keep getting financially fit with me!!

-Coach Bre