You don’t have to spend a fortune to give your kids everything they need for a great school year

 
By Rachel Cruze
Back-to-school season has a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you’re enjoying summer, and the next you’re staring at a school supply list wondering how pencils, notebooks, backpacks and a new calculator somehow turned into a small fortune.
It’s easy for all those back-to-school expenses to add up faster than you expected. But with a little planning, you can get your kids everything they need without blowing your budget.
What Families Are Actually Spending
According to the National Retail Federation, families with K–12 students plan to spend an average of $863.86 on back-to-school shopping this year, while college students are expected to spend an average of $1,437.79.1 That’s a lot of cash! And with the back-to-school and back-to-college shopping season expected to hit a record $146.8 billion this year, it’s no surprise retailers are working overtime to get you to spend more.2
But don’t let those numbers scare you. Here are seven ways to save money and make the most of your back-to-school budget.
1. Shop your house first
Before you head to the store, look through what you already have. Is last year’s backpack or lunchbox still in good shape? Great! Are there notebooks with unused pages or colored pencils that still work? Perfect.
You don’t have to replace something just because it’s a new school year. Use what you have first, then only buy what you actually need. You’ll probably cross several items off your shopping list before you spend a single dollar.
2. Decide your budget before you shop
Budgets work best when you make your spending decisions before you’re standing in the checkout line.
So go ahead and decide how much you’ll spend on categories like supplies, clothes, shoes and electronics before you ever open your shopping app or walk into a store. (That’s exactly what a zero-based budget helps you do.) When you know your number before you shop, you’re much less likely to overspend in the moment.
3. Wait to buy what you don’t need right away
It’s easy to feel like you have to check every box before the first day of school, but that’s not always true. If your child won’t need a graphing calculator until later in the semester or a special supply for an upcoming project, there’s no harm in waiting. Spreading out those purchases can make your budget much easier to manage.
4. Let your kids help manage the clothing budget
This is one of my favorite ways to teach kids about money. Give each child a set amount for clothes and shoes, then let them decide how to spend it. It’s amazing how quickly they start comparing prices and deciding what’s actually worth buying.
Not only are they learning to live on a budget, but it also takes some of the pressure off you. Instead of constantly saying no, you can simply remind them to work within the budget they already have. Full disclosure: If your kids are little, you’ll probably still have to say no to some of the things they “really, really need.”
5. Take advantage of sales—but don’t let sales take advantage of you
Around one-third of shoppers say they plan their back-to-school shopping around summer sales.3 And that’s not a bad idea! A great sale can absolutely help you save money.
But buying something you weren’t planning to buy isn’t saving money. If an item is already on your list, awesome. Grab it while it’s discounted. But if it wasn’t in your budget to begin with, a sale doesn’t magically make it a good purchase.
6. Start saving for next year now
Back-to-school shopping comes around every year, so it shouldn’t catch you by surprise. That’s why I love using a sinking fund. Once you’re done shopping this year, start setting aside a little money each month for next year’s school expenses. Saving $25–50 a month can help you head into the next school year with a lot less stress.
7. Don’t sacrifice your bigger financial goals
Back-to-school shopping shouldn’t derail everything else you’re working toward. Keep building your emergency fund. Keep paying off debt. Keep investing in your future. If you’re tempted to borrow money or put school supplies on a credit card, it’s a sign your back-to-school budget needs another look.
Back to School Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
Remember, your kids don’t need the newest everything to have a great school year. What they need most is a parent who’s making wise financial decisions and showing them how to handle money well.
So make a plan before you shop and don’t let the pressure to keep up convince you to spend more than you can afford. When you’re intentional with your money, you can send your kids back to school with everything they need, while still making progress toward your family’s financial goals. And that’s a win for everyone!
*  Rachel Cruze is a two-time #1 national bestselling author, financial expert and co-host of “The Ramsey Show” and “Smart Money Happy Hour.” Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people how to avoid debt, budget and win with money at any stage in life. She’s an energetic and thought-provoking speaker and has been speaking to audiences as large as 10,000 since the age of 15, when she began making appearances with her father, Dave Ramsey. She has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” “Today,” CNN and “Fox & Friends,” and has been featured in “People,” “Parade,” “Woman’s Day,” “Success” and “Real Simple.” Rachel believes it’s possible for anyone to turn around their finances, win with money and build a life they love. Follow Rachel on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.