As the new school year approaches, many parents are bracing themselves for the added expenses that come with it. According to Deloitte’s 2026 Back-to-School Survey, parents plan to spend an average of $557 per K-12 student. To help families manage these costs, CreditFresh has provided some simple tips to separate must-have school costs from optional purchases and spread spending across the weeks before classes begin.
Start Saving Early
One of the most important steps in back-to-school budgeting is to start saving early. Consider setting aside a small amount each week in a dedicated school fund. Even modest contributions can help cover costs such as field trips, replacement supplies, activity fees, or new shoes later in the year.
Back-to-school costs do not end after the first day of classes. In addition to supplies and clothing, parents may need to plan for school lunches, transportation, field trips, sports, extracurricular activities, technology, class photos, and other fees that arise throughout the year.
Review and Adjust Your Budget
Review your budget throughout the school year and adjust it as new costs come up. A plan that accounts for the full year can help prevent smaller school expenses from becoming unexpected financial pressures.
Stocking up on basics can be useful, especially for school supplies and other shelf-stable, back-to-school essentials that are likely to be needed later in the year. Compare prices and use a school list to avoid buying duplicates or items that may not be required. The savings can be significant depending on the item.
Explore Affordable Options
The Deloitte survey found that 71% of parents surveyed would switch brands if their preferred brand was too expensive, while 60% plan to shop at more affordable retailers. Look into local buy-nothing and free-cycle groups, which can be a useful resource for items such as kids’ toys, furniture, clothing, books, sports equipment, and more.
Additionally, consider implementing a no-buy challenge, where you encourage yourself to be more intentional about spending money. Maybe you set a dollar and time limit — for example, anything over $50 requires sleeping on it before making a decision. Anything other than necessities requires discussion, and you can figure out what might work for you and your family to bring down spending on non-essential items.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
