8 Back-to-School Items That Are a Waste of Money in 2024

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If you have a child in school or about to start, you have undoubtedly been faced with a dreaded class supply list. From a yellow folder with brads and no pockets to a wide-ruled spiral notebook, most parents have struggled with one or two items on this list at some point in their child’s career. 

While you meander through the back-to-school aisles, checking off the needed supplies, you may also be thinking about what your child may need that isn’t listed. A backpack, lunchbox and reusable water bottle may all top the list but could break the bank if you aren’t careful. To get you started, here are eight back-to-school items that are likely a waste of money in 2024.

Personalized Backpacks

• Estimated price: $30 and up

While your student will need a backpack to take to school each day, you can skip the embroidery. Paying extra to have your child’s name on the bag is cute but completely unnecessary and may even be dangerous. 

As Cubby reported, personalizing your child’s backpack and other items with their name may give a stranger insider information. Parents should avoid putting their child’s name on publicly facing items that could make them a target for a bad actor.

Designer Lunchboxes

• Estimated price: $30 and up

If your child doesn’t plan on going near the line for school-provided lunch, you will need to send them with a lunchbox. This lunchbox, however, doesn’t have to be the most expensive one on the market. Go for quality and durability over brand name. Lunchboxes, particularly for grade-school students, take a beating and may even end up in the lost and found at some point. You can find great options for $20 or less at most retailers. 

Overpriced Water Bottles

• Estimated price: $35 and up

Just like designer lunchboxes, you can skip the overpriced water bottle for your student. Reusable water bottles are becoming a staple at most schools, but you will want to make sure that they can withstand the wear and tear of daily use. 

Mechanical Pencils

• Estimated price: $5 and up (for a multipack)

While mechanical pencils may be a feat of engineering, they aren’t necessarily practical for school. The lead in these pencils is prone to breaking, meaning you will have to keep replenishing your student’s supply. So, what started as a relatively inexpensive item can become quite pricey over time. They can also be distracting for younger students and may not be helpful if they are in the early stages of writing. 

Pricey Pens

• Estimated price: $10 and up (for a multipack)

While gel and glitter pens are all the rage, they are better left for home than in the classroom. Fancy pens can be a distraction at school and cause problems if they get lost or are used on an assignment. Teachers generally prefer black or blue pens to make grading easier. As noted by Pens.com, blue ink may even help students memorize when they are studying.

Toy Accessories

• Estimated price: $5 or more

Your student may beg for a pen with a bubble-gum-machine top or a fidget spinner on their pencil box, but their teacher may be less keen on the idea. Toys are distracting in class, not only for your student but also for their classmates. It is best to leave the toys at home unless you don’t mind them getting confiscated.

Massive Binders

• Estimated price: $15 and up

Trapper Keepers and Five Star zippered binders may have been all the rage for older millennials, but they aren’t as beloved in today’s classrooms. Generally, the more basic the item, the better. You want an item that is going to last the entire school year and not divert your child’s attention. Some of these pricier, oversized supplies aren’t worth their added cost.

Personal Pencil Sharpeners

• Estimated price: $5 and up (for a multipack)

A personalized pencil sharpener may seem harmless, but it usually tops teachers’ lists of unwanted supplies. As reported by Learning Liftoff, these mini-products are noisy and messy. They can sidetrack a student and all of their neighbors during critical instructional time. Instead, have your child use the sharpener in the classroom.

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