6 Secret Shopping Hacks To Save Big on Back-to-School Shopping
Written by
Heather Altamirano
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Back-to-school shopping for K-12 students is estimated to reach a collective $30.9 billion for the 2025 school year, or an average of roughly $570 per child this year, according to a new survey by Deloitte. While that’s down from $586 in 2024, President Donald Trump’s tariffs could cause prices to go higher.
Although back-to-school consumers haven’t felt the full effect of tariffs yet, rising prices could lead to even tighter budgets. “However, if the large increases in tariffs announced earlier this year take effect and are sustained, they will infiltrate consumer prices, causing a downshift in spending,” said Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist at the National Retail Federation, in a July 8 press release.
Back-to-school shopping isn’t cheap, and costs could go up even more, but there are ways to save. Here are six secret shopping hacks to cut down on supplies.
Also see five back-to-school supplies to buy now in case tariffs create shortages.
Stick to Store Brands
Name brands are not always the way to go. You can find the same quality with generic brands at a lower price, which is a great way to save on school essentials.
“Take for example a one-subject notebook from Target’s up&up brand is just $1, but the same exact style from the name-brand Five Star costs $2 more for $3,” said Andrea Woroch, a money-saving expert with CardRates.com. “That’s a huge difference in cost just to get the name brand!”
Buy Refurbished Tech
Kids need electronics for school assignments, but buying new is pricey. Woroch suggested searching for certified refurbished tech to save money.
“Just make sure to shop with reputable retailers that certify that the electronic has been repaired or refurbished to work and look like new, offering a warranty and money back guarantee such as Amazon Renewed, eBay, Walmart and even Apple,” she advised. “This is a great way to get quality tablets and laptops for a fraction of the regular retail cost!”
Shop Late
Shopping late doesn’t always mean you’re a procrastinator. You can save money by hitting the stores right before school starts instead of shopping in advance, according to consumer finance expert Austin Kilgore, an analyst with the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights.
“It may sound counter-intuitive, but sometimes, there are supplies on the list that kids won’t need right off the bat,” he explained. “If you can wait to purchase one of these, clearance sales usually begin right after school starts. And with so many different start dates, it pays to keep your eye out for these sales.”
Take Advantage of Price-Matching
Shopping at big retailers has its perks like price-matching, which is a great way to save and a smart tool to utilize.
“If you find a lower price on an item — like a pack of pencils — at a different store, be sure to ask the cashier to honor the lower price once you’re at checkout,” said Mary Hines Droesch, head of product for consumer, business and wealth management banking and lending at Bank of America.
Sign Up for Store Newsletters
Following stores on social media and signing up for newsletters can lead to savings.
“Retailers often send extra coupons to email subscribers ahead of public sale announcements, especially for seasonal items,” said Marty Bauer, director of partnerships and e-commerce expert at Omnisend.
Use a ‘Reverse Layaway’ With a High-Yield Savings Account
Racking up credit card debt isn’t hard to do when it comes to back-to-school shopping, but there’s a clever approach Andrew Latham, a CFP with SuperMoney, suggested that involves opening a high-yield savings account.
You don’t need to start with a lot — just $20 to $30 a week, which can build up to $200 to $300 in under three months. That can cover a great amount of needed school supplies.
“These accounts typically earn interest, which adds a few extra dollars to your total. This method helps avoid the need for credit cards or last-minute scrambling,” Latham said. “You are paying yourself in advance, which creates a simple, stress-free way to prepare without taking on debt or cutting into your regular budget.”
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