When I was a kid, we didn't have much money. Our back to school shopping usually consisted of a visit to a consignment/thrift store for clothes, and the Dollar Tree for supplies. I also didn't get a whole new wardrobe every school year; I was wearing the same stuff that I'd worn the year before, and we recycled a lot of school supplies. I know some of y'all feel me. But apparently things have changed quite a bit since I was a kid!
The National Retail Federation found that families with kids in elementary school or high school are expected to spend an average of $696.70 this year. While families with college students are expected to spend $976.78.
And because of the cost, about half of parents say they're worried about back-to-school shopping this year.
That's a LOT of money to drop in a single weekend! No wonder back-to-school season is so stressful!
So here are some tips on saving money as your kids get ready to get back to class:
1. Make a list and a budget. Schools usually send students a list of what they'll need for the upcoming school year. You might even be able to find it on Target or Walmart's websites.
2. Take inventory of what you already have. To avoid buying things you don't need, check to see if you have pens, pencils, or notebooks left over from last year that you can still use.
3. Use coupons and shop sales. A lot of stores have coupons on their apps and websites, and in their weekly circulars.
4. Buy used or refurbished items. Electronics can be expensive. And some items, like graphing calculators, won't be needed for more than a couple years. So check sites like eBay, Amazon, Apple, and Dell for their refurbished deals.