“How can I use this in my classroom?”

That’s a mindset shared by Robin Palomares, an elementary English-for-speakers-of-other-languages teacher at the Commodore John Rodgers School in Baltimore, and one that she says resonates with many educators as they try to stock their classrooms without spending a fortune.

Teachers have long provided their classrooms with essential supplies and decorations, typically spending more than $655 each year, to create a space where students can thrive.

But this year, with the threat of new tariffs increasing the cost of many imported goods, back-to-school shopping could push educators to spend even more.

In early April, President Donald Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on imports from nearly every nation , with even higher rates for certain countries. Days later, he delayed the higher tariffs for targeted countries by 90 days, before pushing the effective date to Aug. 1 .

The Consumer Price Index, which measures the average price of daily expenses, grew to 2.7% in June after rising to 2.4% in May, as some economists say the slight price hike can be attributed to potential tariffs. Despite the tariffs not yet being in effect and ongoing trade negotiations, some companies have already announced plans to raise their prices, citing the looming tariffs.

A recent CNBC analysis found that prices for supplies like lead pencils and art materials rose about four percentage points since the start of 2024. Marking tools increased by more than six percentage points.

To help ease the financial burden, here are five tips educators can use to save money this back-to-school season.

Take advantage of chain and local discounts

From Canva to Michaels, many companies and retailers offer one-time or recurring discounts for teachers. Perks range from news subscription discounts to free meditation services.

Palomares said she tracks sales at chains like Walmart and Staples for items such as pencils, and buys books during her local public library’s book sales.

Utilize crowdsourcing platforms

Amazon teacher gift lists are one popular way educators can supply their classrooms. Teachers can add any Amazon product to their list, share it with their network, and send personalized thank-you notes to people who buy a gift. Amir Ali, a teacher at CJR, said she started utilizing Amazon wish lists in her second year of teaching and shares them with family, friends, and on social media to get most of her items covered.

“I can’t think of a time where I was like, ‘Man, I had to buy this by myself or purchase something on my own,’” Ali said. “To be safe. I’ll say 95% usually.”

DonorsChoose is a nonprofit that sends classroom materials directly to teachers. Teachers can submit projects for things like getting a new rug or providing their students with folders , and anyone can donate money to a specific request. Katie Bisbee, the organization’s chief revenue and marketing officer, said educators have always used the platform for basic supplies, but more are now requesting items to improving classroom environments. Bisbee said without DonorsChoose, some teachers may spend more than $1,400 on school supplies.

“A lot of teachers have what they call ‘care closets’ in their classrooms,” Bisbee said. “For high school students, it could be feminine hygiene products, or deodorant sticks, and snacks. For younger kids, that may be more changes of clothes and snacks.”

Similarly, Get Your Teach On, a professional development organization, created a ‘Clear The List ’ webpage where anyone can purchase an item off a teacher’s Amazon wish list.

See also Open image caption Close image caption Guy E. Rowe Elementary School teacher Lisa Cooper paints shelves in her kindergarten classroom on Aug. 17, 2022, in Norway, Maine. She’s among the many teachers who spend hours volunteering their time and using their own money to buy supplies for their students and classrooms. New data suggests teachers are spending more out of their own pockets for materials than in the 2023-24 school year. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP Teaching Profession As Prices Go Up and Student Needs Rise, Teachers Are Filling in the Gaps Remove Save to favorites

Palomares, who serves as the DonorsChoose ambassador for her school, said she uses the platform to fund school supplies for her school. When composition notebooks ran out, she turned to DonorsChoose to restock rather than spending her own money.

Reuse supplies creatively

For teachers looking to stretch their dollars even further, finding creative ways to reuse and repurpose classroom materials can make a big difference.

“I’m a big thrifter, so very often, classroom decorations or organizational things come from thrift stores and consignment stores,” Palomares said.

Teachers can also involve students in reusing efforts through competitions—for example, which class can collect the most recyclable materials, Carolyn Sattin-Bajaj, an associate editor of MIT Press’ Education Finance and Policy, suggested.

“I have bigger kids now who don’t need multiple boxes of markers and colored pencils that I had during COVID to do the coloring book, so [it] doesn’t always have to be in fashion,” Sattin-Baja said. “There’s a way to make it environmentally conscious and also community building.”

Creative ways to reuse classroom items aren’t limited to school supplies. Ali said earlier in her career she based her classroom around niche themes like bees that she didn’t reuse the following year. She recommends educators get rainbow themed decorations for their classroom, so they can reuse the materials annually.

Tap into your community

Teacher unions, Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and school parent teacher associations (when active) can help teachers find free or discounted supplies before school starts or even year-round.

“I’ve gotten things like brooms or office supplies that way, and then I’ll very often, if I don’t need it for my classroom, I’ll just go put it in a supply room,” Palomares said.

Similar to baby and bridal showers, educators can throw teacher showers to help alleviate the cost of back-to-school spending.

Think twice before stocking up

Still, with prices expected to rise further, some teachers may feel pressure to stock up early. Sattin-Baja advises teachers to weigh that urge carefully, and consider personal finances before doing so.

“I understand the impulse to want to stockpile [the things] you know you need a lot of,” Sattin-Baja said, “but folks don’t necessarily have the money up front to spend twice what they thought they were, trying to avoid higher prices in six months.”

Ali said it makes sense for teachers to stock up on items they’ll use throughout the year, such as pencils and folders, but not buy items that may end up being “junk” in their classroom.

“Everything that you buy should be functional,” Ali said. “You should not just be buying things because they’re cute. That’ll help you save money. You’re going to collect things throughout the school year, veterans are going to be giving away things, you don’t need to spend a bunch of money.”

Many parents feel stressed about back-to-school costs, with over half saying the expense is a major source of anxiety.

Creating a budget and talking to kids about needs versus wants can help families feel more in control.

Parents plan to spend an average of $570 per child this year—so shopping early and considering secondhand or store-brand items can make a big difference.

Every year in late July, I start to break out in a cold sweat whenever I glance at my calendar or walk into a store. That’s because it’s back-to-school time, a fact I can no longer ignore, as much as I may want to keep reveling in less-scheduled days.

The inescapable truth is that there are backpacks, pencils, (trendy and overpriced) water bottles, and shoes to buy—and so much more. Indeed, other than the holidays (and possibly Maycember), early fall is perhaps the most expensive and stressful time of year for parents with kids who are heading back to school.

Survey Says—BTS is Pricier Than Ever

There is no shortage of data validating the anxiety parents feel around back-to-school shopping.

According to CNBC, although inflation is not as much of a factor these days, tariffs may be impacting how much parents pay for items their kids need to kick off the school year successfully. For instance, between 2019 and 2025, the cost of some school supplies has risen 20%, with backpacks up 30%.

Overall, spending for the BTS season is predicted to reach $30.9 billion, with parents shelling out an average of $570 per kid according to Deloitte. To be fair, that’s less than what parents spent last year: $586 per kid. Still, if you have multiple children—or even if you don’t—that’s a ton of dough for folders and lunch totes.

Meanwhile, Intuit Credit Karma surveyed parents and found that over a third can’t afford back-to-school shopping. And, 44% think they’ll take on debt this BTS season, with more than half admitting they’ll likely sacrifice on necessities like groceries so their kiddos are prepared for the first day of school.

Other findings from the survey include that:

69% of parents plan to shop at discount stores for supplies.

41% are relying on hand-me-downs and/or borrowed items.

51% say their kids are asking for non-essential items they’ve seen trending on social media—and parents are saying “yes” so they don’t let their kids down.

54% report that the financial burden of back-to-school expenses is a major source of anxiety.

67% of parents say they feel their child’s school has passed down more costs onto parents than in previous years.

What Parents Can Do To Spend and Stress Less

According to experts, even though 2025 will feature an expensive BTS shopping season, there are ways to keep from going into debt over supplies, shoes, devices, and duds for your little darlings.

Taking a proactive approach to your finances by prioritizing what you can control is key, according to Tiana Patillo, CFP, Financial Advisor Manager at Vanguard.

“You can safeguard your finances and feel confident about back-to-school shopping this year, even amid the uncertainty of rising prices,” she says.

Step one is to create a budget. Next, Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma, recommends making a list of what your child absolutely needs versus “nice-to-haves” to help outline your priorities.

“Then, check your closets and drawers to see what you already own and don’t need to replace. This way, you’ll have a more focused and intentional list before you even start shopping,” Alev advises.

Other tips for saving money this season include:

Agreeing to pay for needs only . Parents can encourage older kids to earn money for wants, and allow younger children to pick one item from a list of non-essentials. “Back-to-school season is the perfect opportunity to have a thoughtful, age-appropriate conversation with your kids about money and teach them the importance of budgeting and prioritizing needs over wants,” Alev says. “Being honest with your child about what you’re able or unable to afford can be a great way to not only set expectations, but also show kids how to set financial boundaries.”

. Parents can encourage older kids to earn money for wants, and allow younger children to pick one item from a list of non-essentials. “Back-to-school season is the perfect opportunity to have a thoughtful, age-appropriate conversation with your kids about money and teach them the importance of budgeting and prioritizing needs over wants,” Alev says. “Being honest with your child about what you’re able or unable to afford can be a great way to not only set expectations, but also show kids how to set financial boundaries.” Shopping early. Timing is everything, according to Chris Riedy, CRO at cash-back app Ibotta. “Parents are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier this year, not just to beat the rush, but to hunt down the best deals before price hikes,” he says.

Timing is everything, according to Chris Riedy, CRO at cash-back app Ibotta. “Parents are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier this year, not just to beat the rush, but to hunt down the best deals before price hikes,” he says. Waiting to purchase clothes that your kids won’t wear yet. With many schools around the country starting in early August, kids won’t need sweaters, jackets, or boots for months.

With many schools around the country starting in early August, kids won’t need sweaters, jackets, or boots for months. Checking out secondhand options . Ken Murphy, Chief Innovation Officer at OfferUp, a local commerce and connection app, advises, “Parents can find high-quality clothes, backpacks, sporting gear, and even tech like tablets and laptops from people right in their community, often at a fraction of retail prices.”

. Ken Murphy, Chief Innovation Officer at OfferUp, a local commerce and connection app, advises, “Parents can find high-quality clothes, backpacks, sporting gear, and even tech like tablets and laptops from people right in their community, often at a fraction of retail prices.” Picking store brands. Patillo says these items are often lower priced than brand names and still offer good quality when it comes to school essentials.

Patillo says these items are often lower priced than brand names and still offer good quality when it comes to school essentials. Doing your research. Especially when buying big-ticket items like a laptop or tablet, Patillo recommends, “Look out for promotions as retailers compete for your business during summer sales. Analyze price differences between retailers and personalized cash back or coupon offerings.”

Especially when buying big-ticket items like a laptop or tablet, Patillo recommends, “Look out for promotions as retailers compete for your business during summer sales. Analyze price differences between retailers and personalized cash back or coupon offerings.” Buying in bulk. Alev recommends pooling resources with friends and neighbors with kids in the same grade to save money on BTS staples.

If you do end up taking on debt, Alev urges parents to build debt payback into their budget.

“It’s important to make a plan to pay it off in a way that’s doable for you. Any high-interest credit card debt should be your first priority to pay down,” she advises.

Ultimately, it’s worth saying again that the BTS shopping season is a great opportunity to set an example of what healthy finances look like. As Patillo emphasizes, “Kids mirror the behaviors of those around them, so demonstrating healthy budgeting habits and creating interactive, open conversations around money will have a lasting impression.”

This weekend marks a big shopping holiday in Tennessee. Friday through Sunday, shoppers can take advantage of zero sales tax on certain items, which in turn can save shoppers hundreds of dollars.

The tax-free weekend comes as parents are getting their children ready for back to school. According to the Better Business Bureau, it’s a great time to knock out school supply shopping without having to break the bank. Typically, the City of Chattanooga carries a 9.25% sales tax, but for three days in July, it’s waived.

Tennessee’s 2025 sales tax holiday weekend begins July 25 This year’s tax free holiday will run from 12:01am on Friday, July 25 to Sunday, July 27 at 11:59pm.

“We have tax-free shopping weekend coming up as we are seeing kids get ready to go back to school. That is for Tennessee residents. Unfortunately, Georgia is no longer offering this. However, if you are shopping in Tennessee or you are doing online shopping, you can take advantage of this,” said Michele Mason, President of Better Business Bureau.

BBB recommends parents plan ahead. Make a list of school supplies ahead of time and compare prices at stores beforehand. Not everything will fall under the tax-free rules. For things like clothes and shoes, most items will be covered, as long as they are under $100 per item. That guideline is true for binders, backpacks, and other school supplies.

“That is also going to be a limit of anything under $100 or less. They will not allow you to break up sets to accomplish that. However, it is applied to things ranging from binders to paper, pencils, pens. Also backpacks, crayons. All the things students are going to use for school, said Mason.

A notable way to save big cash is to look into deals on electronics. Many laptops and tablets may fall under the tax-free guidelines, as long as they are not more than $1,500.

“It applies to computers, including laptops up to $1,500 or less. However, you cannot buy separate software, that won’t apply. It does allow people to go ahead and purchase those devices and get those taxes saved, which can be quite a bit of money,” added Mason.

Tax-free weekend starts at 12:01am on Friday, July 25 and will run through 11:59pm on Sunday, July 29. For additional information on what qualifies for tax-free weekend, check out the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The summer break is winding down, and students will soon head back to the classroom.

And that means parents will be shopping for school supplies, with some estimates showing that costs can go as high as $800-$900 for each child.

WATCH BELOW: How to save on back-to-school shopping

How to save on back-to-school shopping

Some of the most expensive items on the school shopping list these days … is the electronics, tablets labtobs, headphones,” money expert Andrea Woroch said. “All these items really add up, and not to mention, inflation is still high. Tariffs are also impacting those everyday goods. Everything is costing more.”

Woroch offered simple budgeting tips for busy parents.

She said we do not need to panic over back-to-school shopping. They just need to shop smarter by looking for the deals online and in the store.

Dont Waste Your Money Back-to-school shopping: Will prices be higher this year? John Matarese

“Talking about name brand clothing, first of all, your child doesn’t have to have everything they want,” Woroch said. “Maybe have them prioritize their list and then shop savvy, look online. Compare prices between retailers, look for coupon codes that you can then stack on top of a sale. You can go to a deal aggregator like CouponCabin.com. They organize coupons by store name. They also offer you cash back.”

Teachers say it’s necessary for parents to help pay for school supplies because of the money often allocated to schools.

We are helping you navigate the costs and working to find ways to save and keep costs down. Click here to sound off on the issue and watch our coverage on Wednesday, July 23.

Inflation causing less pain than in the past

Inflation causing less pain than in the past

When it comes to back-to-school shopping, some of us might think fondly of new backpacks and the scent of fresh pencils. But Bankrate’s 2025 Back-to-School Shopping Survey shows others might simply see dollar signs.

Stubborn inflation continues to change how nearly 1 in 3 back-to-school shoppers (30 percent) shop, but that percentage has trended down in recent years, perhaps indicating Americans have become more accustomed to paying higher prices.

Ronda Sunderhaus, Bankrate senior account manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, has lengthy back-to-school shopping lists for her three kids. In addition to school supplies, they buy several new outfits, backpacks and lunch boxes — “Those never seem to last when you pack lunch every day of the week,” she says. That’s why her family looks for deals and compares prices together.

“I involve [my kids] in price comparison and decision-making when it comes to clothes, shoes and backpacks, too,” she says.

One category they can skimp on is electronics. “Because my kids are younger, the only ‘technology’ needs they have are generally headphones,” she explains. “I usually opt for a low-cost pair, since kids are prone to losing or breaking things, and replace annually.”

Almost half of shoppers (49 percent) plan to employ money-saving strategies this fall, from finding cheaper brands to budgeting to buying less.

“The cumulative effects of higher prices and high interest rates are still weighing on many households,” says Ted Rossman, Bankrate senior industry analyst. “Tariff concerns are also significantly impacting consumer sentiment.”

While inflation has come down considerably, back-to-school shoppers are still being thoughtful about their buying habits and looking to save money where possible. — Ted Rossman, Bankrate Senior Industry Analyst

Bankrate’s key insights on back-to-school shopping

Trend Down Icon Today’s prices have nearly 1 in 3 back-to-school shoppers rethinking how they shop. Thirty percent of shoppers say they’re changing how they shop due to inflation. That’s down from 41% in 2022 and 32% in 2024, perhaps indicating that Americans are adjusting to higher price tags. Money Bag Icon Compared to 2022, a smaller percentage of back-to-school shoppers feel financially strained for the upcoming school year. Twenty percent of shoppers (down from 31% in 2022) say they’ll feel a strain on their budget, and another 11% (down from 26% in 2022) feel pressured to spend more than they’re comfortable with. Thumbs Up Icon Half of back-to-school shoppers are using money-saving strategies this season. Forty-nine percent of shoppers have taken or plan to take action — buy cheaper brands, look for deals, budget or buy fewer supplies — for the upcoming school year.

Bankrate Data Center Since 1976, Bankrate has been the go-to source for personal finance data, publishing average rates on the most popular financial products and tracking the experience of consumers nationwide. See more

Inflation continues to plague back-to-school shoppers, but less so than in years past

Nearly 1 in 3 back-to-school shoppers (30 percent) say inflation is changing how they shop. That’s down from 32 percent in 2024 and 41 percent in 2022, during peak inflation.

Inflation is currently at 2.4 percent, well below the 9 percent peak in June 2022, but prices are still 23.7 percent higher than they were before the pandemic. However, our polling shows this is becoming less of an issue for shoppers. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t specifically track the price of school supplies, we can look at the prices of a few similar categories this year (as of May 2025) versus last year.

Stationery, stationery supplies and gift wrap are 4.7 percent more expensive than last year.

Boys’ apparel is 2.1 percent more expensive, but girls’ apparel is 1.3 percent cheaper.

Computers, peripherals and smart home assistance are 3.5 percent cheaper. But computer software and accessories are 6.1 percent more expensive.

Educational books and supplies are 9.4 percent more expensive.

One in 5 shoppers (20 percent) say these costs will or are straining their budgets, which is down from 31 percent in 2022. And around 1 in 10 shoppers (11 percent) feel pressured to spend more than they’re comfortable with, which is down from 26 percent in 2022.

More millennials and Gen Zers are back-to-school shopping than older generations Caret Down Icon Overall, more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults (36 percent) are back-to-school shopping this year — for themselves or for a child. That includes nearly half of millennials (ages 29-44; 49 percent) and Gen Zers (ages 18-28; 44 percent). Only 1 in 3 Gen Xers (ages 45-60; 33 percent) and around 1 in 5 boomers (ages 61-79; 21 percent) are back-to-school shopping.

Most back-to-school shoppers won’t take on debt this season Caret Down Icon Six percent of shoppers plan to take on debt for back-to-school shopping this year. “We do not worry about the start of school debt, but know many families do,” Sunderhaus says.

Nearly half of Americans (46 percent) have credit card debt, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Credit Card Debt Report. But nearly half of those debtors (45 percent) say it’s because of emergency expenses, like car repairs or medical bills. Armed with a budget and money-saving strategies, it’s possible to avoid debt this back-to-school season.

Nearly half of shoppers plan to use money-saving methods

Alene Laney, a personal finance writer in Provo, Utah, and mom of five, finds creative ways to save on back-to-school shopping. Their local public schools provide supplies, but her family is still on the hook for new school clothes, technology, backpacks and so on. “I try to keep costs as low as possible, and the extra expenses come from a monthly budget category for essential home items,” Laney says.

She’s among nearly half of back-to-school shoppers (49 percent) who are employing one or more of these money-saving strategies in 2025.

1 in 5 will buy cheaper brands

Twenty percent of back-to-school shoppers say they bought or will buy cheaper brands than usual, down from 35 percent in 2022.

Try opting for generic versions of your kids’ favorite brands or comparing prices between stores to trim down your budget. “I buy cheaper brands for the things that don’t matter (paper, binders, scissors),” Sunderhaus says. “I also price compare between in-store deals (Target, Walmart) and Amazon online. I usually find that highlighters, expo markers, and ironically, glue sticks in bulk and then divided among my kids, are cheaper via Amazon.”

1 in 5 will look for deals

Twenty percent also have or plan to find more deals and coupons than in the past. But that’s down from 47 percent in 2022.

With five kids, it’s important for Laney and her kids to buy things that will last without breaking the bank. “I don’t go for the cheapest brands — I try to get the highest quality for the lowest price,” she explains. “For that, I’m a big Costco fan. I also shop all the discount stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory.”

Nearly 1 in 5 will budget for back-to-school

Eighteen percent already did or plan to set money aside and/or budget for back-to-school shopping, which is down from 33 percent in 2022.

Budgeting prevents impulse buying, which is a weakness for many Americans. And it helps you identify other categories where you might be able to spend less this season, so there’s enough money to go around. You could also start saving up for back-to-school shopping a couple of months in advance.

About 1 in 6 will buy fewer school supplies

Sixteen percent are buying fewer school supplies than in previous years due to the cost, compared to 36 percent in 2022.

“Consider asking your child’s teacher what’s essential on day one versus what can wait until later in the year,” Rossman says. Your kids may not need everything on the list right away. They might also be able to use last year’s backpack, folders, pens and pencils and more.

5 ways to save money this back-to-school season

Once summer camps are over and schools start sending emails again, here are a few lessons to help you shop affordably for back-to-school.

Set a budget. With a monthly budget that fluctuates by season, you can plan ahead for back-to-school spending by pulling money from other everyday categories. For example, if you budget $500 for school supplies, you might be able to cut $200 from your family’s dining out budget, $200 from entertainment and another $100 by skipping pricey snacks and only buying in bulk that month. Make a shopping list. With a list in hand — that you actually stick to — you won’t get sucked into buying more than you need or what your kids throw in the cart. Base the list on your budget and recommendations from the school, but also look for ways to reuse supplies from last year. Stack discounts. Try “combining a rewards credit card with store promotions, online shopping portals and/or card-linked offers,” Rossman advises. Those small savings can add up for a big shopping list. Include your kids in the process. Back-to-school shopping is a way to teach your kids about budgeting while minimizing bickering over what to buy. “I make my elementary kids responsible for holding onto their list in the store and marking off what we have as we go,” Sunderhaus says. “We also talk about the brands and prices of the items they are picking out.” When her 6-year-old wanted a video game-themed pencil box, he chose to compromise for a more affordable lunch box. Shop secondhand. Thrifting clothes and supplies, when possible, can help you get lower prices while helping the environment. Laney and her kids often shop secondhand and re-wear items. “I’m always surprised at the high quality of clothes I can get secondhand,” she says. “We’re happy to wear hand-me-downs or yard sale treasures.”

Methodology Caret Down Icon Bankrate commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,616 adults, of which 914 have or will do back-to-school shopping this year. Fieldwork was undertaken between June 2-4, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).