Back-to-School Season Is Here! Here’s How Families Can Save Money

Back-to-school season is here, and so is the money stress. Prices are higher, budgets are tighter, and families everywhere are trying to figure out how to stretch every dollar. The good news? There are ways to cut costs without cutting corners.

Here is how you can save real money and still get your kids ready for the new school year:

Watch for Tax Holidays

Money-saving starts with timing. Seventeen states rolled out tax-free holidays this summer, giving families a small but helpful break. But each state has different rules. Some cover clothes, others include electronics or school supplies. And they don’t all happen on the same weekend.

That means you have to keep track. A quick online search can tell you if your state has one. If it does, plan your shopping around it. Many online retailers like Amazon honor these holidays, too. So, even if you are not near a store, you can still cash in on the savings.

Use the Library

Money spent on books, movies, or educational tools adds up fast. But your local library has all that for free. Get a card for everyone in your family. Most libraries offer more than just physical books now. You will find e-books, audiobooks, and even free movies.

Wander / Unsplash / The school library is actually free. Ask your kids to use that instead of buying everything.

Some libraries go even further. They offer printing services, museum passes, and free tutoring. These are real money-savers, especially if your kids need extra help with schoolwork or you are looking for weekend activities that don’t cost a cent.

Don’t Let Online Prices Fool You

Online shopping can feel easier. But it is not always cheaper. Deloitte found that families who shopped mostly online spent about $100 more than those who shopped in-store. That is real money down the drain.

Local stores and thrift shops often have better deals, especially if you know where to look. For example, Chatham PTA Thrift Shops in North Carolina start stocking up on school supplies in January. They carry everything from backpacks to notebooks, often at deep discounts.

Fix It, Don’t Replace It

Replacing broken electronics and supplies can wreck your budget. But right-to-repair laws are changing the game. States like New York and Texas now let people fix their own devices or take them to independent repair shops without dealing with expensive manufacturers.

That means cracked tablets or busted headphones don’t have to be trash. You can repair them for a fraction of the price. Advocates say this approach can save families up to $300 a year. So, before you toss that broken item, see if it can be fixed. It might save you a ton of money.

Freepik / Most states even give you a tax break for contributing to these plans. The key is to use the money for qualified expenses and to keep good records.

529 Plans Aren’t Just for College Anymore

These savings plans used to be for college only, but now they can help with K–12 costs too. Thanks to recent changes, you can use 529 money for school supplies, test prep, and other learning materials.

The money you take out isn’t taxed if it is used the right way, which makes this a smart and legal way to hold onto more of your money.

Waiting until the last minute to shop means fewer choices and higher prices. That is just how retail works. Planning early helps you spread out the spending and spot deals as they pop up.

Some parents even stock up year-round. Got a good deal on glue sticks in March? Grab it. See clearance backpacks in November? Snag them. Thinking ahead like this can cut hundreds off your annual school spending.