7 Deals To Help Parents Afford Back-to-School Shopping

As the end of summer approaches, parents are getting ready for back to school. However, many families already grappling with tight budgets due to lingering inflation and rising living costs will face financial strain.

According to a 2024 Deloitte survey, parents are expected to shell out $31.3 billion collectively on school supplies, which is an average of $586 per child, per the data, and similar to what families spent last year. 

To foot the hefty bill and ensure their children have all the essential school items, “39% of shoppers report trimming their budgets in other areas to afford higher costs for back-to-class,” according to Capital One Shopping Research. However, if “budgets become too tight and costs must be cut, parents will cut back on school supplies (40%) and clothing (28%),” per Deloitte. 

To combat the stress of back-to-school shopping and staying within budget, savvy consumers have strategized money-saving ways to cut back on school supply spending, including buying generic or secondhand items, reusing supplies from the previous year, creating a budget and sticking to it, taking advantage of sales and coupons. 

And luckily, there are many deals and savings parents can take advantage of this back-to-school season.

Budget-conscious parents on the hunt for bargains can also save on sales tax holidays. Sales tax is not charged on specific items during certain timeframes, and back-to-school is one of those periods. Currently, 17 states offer this deal, but it’s only for a limited time. 

• Alabama (July 19-21): Applies to clothing and footwear $100 or less, supplies under $50 and electronics under $750
• Arkansas (August 3-4): Applies to clothing, footwear, electronics, supplies, and instructional material and has no state or local sale tax
• Connecticut (August 18-24): Applies to clothing and footwear under $100 
• Florida (July 29-August 11): Applies to clothing, footwear, computers, learning aids and supplies 
• Iowa (August 2-3): Applies to clothing and footwear
• Maryland (August 11-17): Applies to clothing and footwear under $100 and the first $40 of a backpack. 
• Massachusetts (August 10-11): Applies to most retail items under $2,500. 
• Mississippi (July 12-14): Applies to a single item of clothing, footwear, and supplies under $100
• Missouri (August 2-4): Applies to clothing under $100, computers under $1,50, and school supplies under $50. 
• New Mexico (August 2-4): Applies to clothing under $100, laptops under $1,000 and school supplies
• Ohio (July 30-August 8): Applies to most tangible personal property under $500. 
• Oklahoma (August 2-4): Applies to clothing and footwear under $100 
• South Carolina (August 2-4): Applies to computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories,​ shoes, and certain bed and bath items 
• Tennessee (July 26-28): Applies to clothing under $100, computers and supplies
• Texas (August 9-11): Applies to clothing, footwear, and supplies under $100
• Virginia (August 2-4): Applies to clothing and footwear under $100 and supplies under $20
• West Virginia (August 2-5): Applies to clothing under $125, computers and tablets under $500, and school supplies under $50

While 66% of shoppers planned on hitting sales before the end of July, which is up from 59% in 2023, per Deloitte, there’s still time to find good deals, and we’ve rounded up the must-have school items at the best prices. 

• Price: .35 cents
• Original Price: $2.89

Every kid needs a notebook, and you score an amazing deal at Staples. Each notebook costs only .35 cents, and at that Price, you can stock up for the year. 

• Price: $5.00

Backpacks are a back-to-school essential, and you can grab one at Five Below for just $5.00. The Hello Kitty bag is 15 inches in height and comes with a side mesh pocket for a water bottle. 

• Price: .50 cents for a 24-pack
• Original Price: .99 cents

On the list of items many teachers are asking for parents to supply are crayons, and at Target, you can get a 24-pack for just .50 cents. 

• Price: $1.58
• Original Price: $3.00

Another item teachers are requesting from parents is a good pair of scissors for classroom projects. The Fiskars 5″ Blunt-Tip Scissors are 60% off at Amazon. 

• Price: $12.88
• Original Price: $14.88

Headphones are also on the list of school supplies teachers ask for, and Walmart has a pair for just under $13.00 that is ideal for your back-to-school needs.

• Price: $49.99
• Original Price: $99.99

You can save half off on the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) 8″ HD Tablet at Best Buy. This budget-friendly item has child-protection features and is easy for kids to use. 

• Price: $99.99
• Original Price: $199.99

No matter the homework assignment, the Epson Wireless All-in-One Printer at Best Buy has it covered. Plus, it’s $100 off, easy to set up and connects effortlessly with all devices.