If you have school-aged children, the back-to-school season can be a costly one. Whether you are a UCC minister, lay worker, or a caregiver in an institution of care, the upcoming school season requires financial planning and practicality.

According to a 2024 survey conducted by The National Retail Federation, an average of $874.68 is spent on back-to-school shopping for families with children in elementary to high school. This is the second-highest figure retrieved from this yearly survey.

Back-to-school shopping can be expensive. Here are five tips for parents on how to save money when buying school supplies for your children.

1. Create a back-to-school budget.
   Prioritize necessary purchases, and ensure you stay within financial limits while fulfilling your children’s educational needs. Plan ahead and allocate funds for one-time purchases like textbooks, pencils, and clothing, and create a separate category for repeated or monthly expenses like after-school activities and club fees.
   
   
2. See what you already own.
   Chances are that the clothes your child needs may already be stored in the closet. Look to see what clothes still fit your child. If your child has older siblings, search for hand-me-downs. Also, check if you own any leftover notebooks, pens, pencils, calculators, or backpacks before you start buying new items. New items are nice, but being practical will save you money.
   
   
3. Look for summer sales.
   Large stores like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy often organize back-to-school sales during the later summer. Take advantage of these sales and go out of your way to search for good deals. Summer sales are especially popular during Labor Day weekend, when large retailers frequently offer back-to-school discounts.
   
   
4. Compare prices before buying.
   Many online tools, like Google Shopping, list prices so you can compare expenses online. In person, many large retailers match competitor’s prices, so you can compare expenses right in the store. If you find a back-to-school item that you like, don’t buy it immediately. Check to see if other stores offer a better deal—if they do, you’ve saved yourself money!
   
   
5. Shop without your children.
   As parents, it can be hard to say no to your children. Shopping by yourself will minimize impulse purchases and help you stick to your budget. Focus on finding the best deals and essential items without distractions. You will find that your child will be just as happy with a slightly cheaper item.

For help with learning how to budget your money, consider using this Budget Worksheet, to track the timing of your income and expenses, so you can make sure you have enough money from week to week. This tool will help you create the funds you will need to make these annual school purchases for your children.