15 Back to School Money Saving Tips

Ready or not, the new school year is right around the corner. Growing up, my mom said August was the most expensive month besides Christmas. School spending can add up quickly. However, there are ways to be purposeful this school season that will save your wallet big time and keep your school expenses in check! I have rounded up my 15 best back-to-school money-saving tips for today’s post because who doesn’t love to save money?

15 Back to School Money Saving Tips

1 – Buy high-quality & Reuse.

We love LL Bean, Pottery Barn, and Herschel if you want a new backpack or lunch box. Lucille just got this new LL Bean backpack this year.

I just washed the other kids’ backpacks in the washing machine. Did you know you could do that? Empty the bag inside and out, spot treat with a stain treater, and then place it on a gentle, cold cycle in the washer. Hang dry! We had my son’s backpack for five years, and we only replaced it because he needed a bigger bag! 

It seems odd to be buying winter gear now, but there tend to be good coupon codes and better deals. We love LL Bean and North Face for winter gear. They last, and we can pass them down or take them to consignment shops when we finish. 

Last year, I went cheap, and I spent what I would have on one coat on two, and both were broken by the end of the year. I usually get two years and can pass it on with higher-quality skin. 

It’s also good to buy gender-neutral boots and snow pants to pass them down to other children. Grey, navy, or black show less dirt and are great for girls and boys!

2 – Take inventory of your closet first. 

Check out your kids’ closets and make a school shopping list of what your kids need for the upcoming season and next year so you can stay focused and save a lot of money while shopping simply by not buying things you don’t need. Your kids might not need new shoes, don’t buy them if they don’t! Just because it’s back-to-school season doesn’t necessarily mean our kids need a brand-new wardrobe. If their summer clothes still fit and are in good condition, you might need to get a few new things.

Want to listen to the tips? Check out the podcast!

3 – Shop sales.  

Many online retailers have big summer sales, which means lower prices and good deals. Many online stores also waive or reduce the free shipping threshold, and with gas prices the way they are, online shopping has never looked so good. It’s a great time to save money on new clothes and supplies your kids need.

Pro Tip: Temporarily join the store’s email list to get an introductory coupon offer or check their website often. Generally, they have sales over the weekends, so check back on Friday!

4- Always buy a size up!  

When shopping for winter gear, I always size up. If my kid wears a size two shoe, I buy a size 3. If they are currently a size ten shirt, I buy a size 12 coat. Lands’ End coats have built-in sleeve extenders that help you maximize the life of your jacket.

5 – Avoid personalization and monograms.  

It’s easy to resell or pass on if it’s not personalized. Not having your child’s name printed on their backpack is also safer.

6 – Shop ahead for next season.  

Take advantage of the end-of-season sales and stock up for next season. The steepest discounts happen at the end of the season, both at major retailers and consignment stores.

7 – Take advantage of the Tax-Free Holiday  

Most states offer a tax-free weekend on school supplies and apparel right before school starts. In Iowa, ours is the first full weekend in August!  

8 – Use Coupons & Price-matching.

Before buying, scan the item to ensure you get the best deal. Sites like Amazon have a barcode reader that will pull up the thing. If it’s cheaper, take that to the store’s register and ask for a price match. If they can’t do it at the register, they should be able to at customer service. Most stores will honor their competitor’s coupons. It’s always worth asking!

9 – Inventory last year’s school supplies.

What items on this year’s school supply list are still in working condition? Use what you have first. Cross it off the list so you don’t accidentally repurchase it. If that white binder looks a little beat-up from last year, scrub it clean with a Mr. Eraser, and it will be good as new. Wash the pencil box with soap and water; it will be sparkly clean.

Stock up during sales on school supplies for the year or your kids’ classroom!

10 – Shop Beyond Big Box Stores

Discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall’s are great places to get brand-name clothing for less. Consignment stores are another great place to shop. Take your old clothes in good condition to consign and use the money you earned to buy this year’s wardrobe. Don’t underestimate thrift stores, either. I saved big bucks and got my son a pair of brand-name football cleats at our local thrift store.

The dollar store has some great deals, and don’t forget to shop for local yard sales. If your list is handy, you can outfit the whole family on a tight budget.

A school swap is perfect for school uniforms, sports equipment, and extracurricular activities. Your son’s football cleats might not fit him anymore, but someone locally might love to have them. Our small town has a school swap closet where you can take items you no longer need and grab things that might work for your family.

11 – Make a list and stick to it.

This seems simple enough, but how often do you throw something extra in? All those extras add up!

12 – Before you shop, make a game plan.  

When making your list, write down the store names, and under each store, write the item you will purchase there. Check the weekly ads for the best deals to know what to get where! Remember, the more places you shop, the more likely you will find extras (or is that just me?), so be purposeful about sticking to your list!

13 – Do not wait until the last minute.  

Take it from me, the best time to shop is EARLY. I waited too long to grab new shoes last year, and they were all sold out. The plastic primary-colored pocket folders I needed were sold out, so I paid way more. Shop early for the best prices and avoid the school rush.

14 – Shop online and use pick-up options.  

Walmart and Target both offer it, and it’s a great way to stay on budget and not get sidetracked by the awesome items, not on your list. Target will populate your school list online, and you can pick it up! How cool is that?

15 – Make a budget and keep track of what you spend.  

Sometimes, buying the school supply pack from the school is more cost-effective. This year, we used what we had and purchased about $50 worth of school supplies for two kids, less than I would have paid.

What Back To School Savings Tips Do You Have?

It’s the school shopping season, and you can feel like you are spending so much money, but a little planning up front can help keep school costs down and school shopping trips to a minimum, and you will be ready the first day of school. Plus, once the school items are purchased, you can enjoy the rest of the summer, knowing you are prepared for the start of the school year.

Check Out These Other Back to School Resources…

Best Back-to-School Books for Kids

Best Back-to-School Tips so You Are Ready to Go

5 Ways to Beat the Back-to-School Jitters

Establish an After School Routine

Create A School Supply Drawer

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