5 Back-to-School Shopping Tips For Anyone Who Loves To Save Money

If one thing in life is guaranteed, it’s that the transition from summer to back-to-school will always be chaotic. One day it’s pool parties and popsicles, the next it’s school supply lists and discovering an old yogurt in last year’s backpack. The circle of life!

While the end of summer will always come with a certain level of stress, there will also always be ways to cut down on the usual madness. Take back-to-school shopping for example: Instead of shelling out for all-new-everything, you could set aside time before the rush (may we recommend now?) to take stock of what’s still in good shape and what needs to be replaced. Hanging on to last year’s backpack or spiffing up that old lunchbox with some fun new stickers are easy — and affordable — ways to save yourself some cash during back-to-school.

We want to give our kids everything they need to start the school year confident and prepared, but that doesn’t mean you need to drain your savings to do it. In fact, putting the right strategy in place can stretch your budget and save your sanity at the same time. Need some ideas for where to get started? Here are some practical tips that’ll help you stay on budget and get your kids everything they need:

1. Start With What You Have, Then Fill In The Gaps

We mentioned this one above, but it’s worth touching on again. A smart starting point for your back-to-school haul is to make your lists, check them twice, then figure out what you can cross off without even going to a store. Supplies like scissors, binders, and pencil cases often survive the summer and won’t need to be replaced, which can quickly add up to save you some major cash.

Once you’ve sorted the “still good” pile, head to Amazon to fill in the gaps. Their massive selection lets you buy exactly what we’re missing, whether it’s one binder or a pack of pencils. You can search by brand, color, price, or quantity to match what your school list actually requires.

2. Set A Budget In Advance

Sure, this one is a tale as old as time, but for good reason: back-to-school spending can escalate quickly, especially with multiple kids. Creating a budget divided by categories like supplies, clothing, and tech helps you prioritize without surprises. Shopping on sites like Amazon help make it easy for you to compare prices, track totals in real time, and stick to your budget from start to finish. No guessing games at checkout, no running total scribbled in a notebook.

3. Stick To A List

Hey, if it works on your weekly grocery run, it’ll work during your annual back-to-school restock. Having a focused list can help you avoid those tempting “just in case” extras (like that name-brand water bottle your kid won’t stop begging for). Start with the school’s requirements, then tailor it to your family’s needs based on what you’ve already moved into that “still works from last year” pile.

4. Buy In Bulk Where It Makes Sense

Anyone who’s ever asked their kid to go grab a glue stick knows that some supplies will run out fast. Buying things like folders, notebooks, or pencils in bulk can not only save you money in the long run, but it also helps mitigate the mid-year restock that always tends to fall around the equally busy holiday season.

5. Use Reviews & Filters When Shopping Online

Saving money isn’t always about finding the cheapest option — it’s also about getting the most value from your budget. You can avoid scenarios like replacing that suspiciously affordable calculator on the second week of the school year by spending a few minutes checking out online reviews. When you shop on Amazon, keep an eye out for verified reviews to get insight from other parents who’ve been in your shoes. They can warn you if that price really is too good to be true.