If the back-to-school list feels more expensive this year, you’re not wrong. The National Retail Federation says the average family expects to spend around $858 on K-12 supplies, electronics, and clothing in 2026, and 91% of shoppers are bracing for tariff-driven price hikes on top of that. More than half say they’re starting earlier than last year just to spread the cost out.
None of that means you have to pay full price for everything on the list. Retailers compete hard for back-to-school dollars every summer, and there’s a real gap between what most people pay and what a little planning can get you. Here are 9 ways to close that gap without sending your kid to school in last year’s backpack.
1. Take an inventory before you buy anything
Before you add a single item to your cart, go through what’s already in the house. Backpacks, binders, unopened notebooks, and calculators from last year often survive just fine, especially for kids who aren’t picky about a scuffed corner. This sounds obvious, but it’s the step most families skip because shopping feels more productive than sorting through a junk drawer. Ten minutes of checking closets and drawers can knock a real chunk off the list before you spend a dollar.
2. Time your purchases around your state’s sales tax holiday
Most states with a sales tax offer a dedicated back-to-school tax-free weekend, usually in late July or August, covering clothing, shoes, school supplies, and sometimes computers up to a set price cap. Skipping 6% to 8% sales tax on a few hundred dollars of purchases adds up fast, especially on bigger items like laptops. Check your state department of revenue’s website for exact dates and eligible categories, since rules vary quite a bit: some states cap clothing at $100 per item, others don’t cover electronics at all.
3. Split your shopping by category, not all at once
Buying everything in one trip in early August usually means paying full price across the board. A smarter split: grab basics like notebooks, folders, and glue sticks early while dollar stores and big-box retailers run loss-leader deals, but hold off on clothing and shoes until closer to the start of school. Apparel tends to get marked down as summer clearance rolls into fall inventory, so patience on that category specifically tends to pay off.
4. Buy refurbished electronics instead of new
A laptop or tablet is often the single biggest line item on the list, and it’s also the easiest one to shop smarter on. Certified refurbished laptops from manufacturer outlets (Apple’s Certified Refurbished store, Dell Outlet, Best Buy’s Outlet section) typically run 15% to 30% below the price of the same model new, and they usually come with a limited warranty. Skip refurbished electronics from unverified third-party sellers, since you lose the warranty protection that makes the whole trade-off worth it.
5. Compare unit and per-item prices before assuming bulk is cheaper
Bulk packs of pencils, folders, and paper look like an automatic win, but the per-item price isn’t always lower than a smaller pack on sale elsewhere. Get in the habit of checking the shelf’s unit price tag, or doing quick mental math, before tossing the biggest box in the cart. This matters more the bigger your family’s list gets, since small per-item overpays compound across a long supply list.
6. Use price-matching and browser extensions before checkout
Many major retailers, including Target and Best Buy, will match a lower price you find elsewhere if you ask at checkout or through their app. Browser extensions that auto-apply coupon codes and flag recent price drops can also catch a markdown you’d otherwise miss, though they only work if you actually install and use them before you buy, not after. Neither trick works on every purchase, but checking takes seconds and costs nothing.
7. Ask about student and educator discounts
A lot of retailers, from electronics stores to clothing brands, offer a student discount that can shave 10% to 20% off a purchase, and it’s rarely advertised loudly. Teachers get their own set of discounts too, often deeper than the student rate, especially at office supply and craft stores. It usually just takes showing a student or staff ID, or verifying status through a service like SheerID at checkout.
8. Trade, borrow, or buy secondhand for anything outgrown fast
Kids grow out of clothes, shoes, and even backpacks faster than most budgets can keep up with, which makes this category one of the easiest to save on without anyone noticing a downgrade. Parent groups, neighborhood swap pages, and consignment or thrift stores are common sources for barely-used items, especially for younger kids who outgrow sizes within a school year. It’s worth checking before paying full retail for something that might not fit by winter break.
9. Watch for tariff-related price swings on electronics and imported goods
The NRF’s 2026 back-to-school survey found the vast majority of shoppers expect tariffs to push prices higher this year, particularly on electronics and imported apparel. That’s a real reason to compare prices across a couple of retailers rather than assuming last year’s price point still holds, and to buy big-ticket electronics earlier in the season if you spot a fair price, rather than waiting and hoping for a discount that tariffs may be working against.
What to buy now vs. what to wait on
| Category | Best time to buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Basic supplies (paper, folders, pencils) | Now, during loss-leader sales | Retailers use these as door-busters to get you in store |
| Backpacks and lunch boxes | Now to mid-season | Selection is best early; prices rarely drop much later |
| Clothing and shoes | Closer to the start of school | Apparel gets marked down as fall inventory arrives |
| Laptops and tablets | As soon as you find a fair refurbished or tax-holiday price | Tariff pressure may push prices up later, not down |
| Specialty or grade-specific items (art kits, calculators) | Once the school’s exact supply list is out | Avoid buying the wrong version or spec |
The bottom line
You probably can’t avoid back-to-school costs going up again this year. But most families are leaving real savings on the table simply by buying everything at once, at full price, without checking what’s already sitting in a closet. Start with an inventory, mark your state’s tax-free weekend on the calendar, and split the rest of the list by category instead of rushing it all into one trip.
This article is for general informational purposes only and isn’t personalized financial advice. Prices, discounts, and tax holiday rules mentioned here may vary by state, retailer, and time, and are current as of mid-2026 based on NRF and retailer data. Check your state’s department of revenue and individual retailers for current terms before making purchase decisions.
If back-to-school spending is stretching your budget in more than one direction, our guide on ways to cut your grocery bill tackles another cost that tends to spike at the same time of year. Putting big purchases on plastic is tempting when the list is long, so it’s worth reading about credit card mistakes that get expensive before you swipe. It’s also a good moment to check whether you’re paying bank fees you could avoid, and if the season has you looking for a bit more breathing room, some readers turn to side hustles that are actually worth the time to cover the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are sales tax holidays in 2026?
Most states that offer a back-to-school sales tax holiday schedule it for late July or August, right before the school year starts, though exact dates and eligible items vary by state. Check your state department of revenue’s website for the confirmed 2026 dates and category limits, since some states cap eligible items by price or exclude electronics entirely.
How much does the average family spend on back-to-school shopping?
The National Retail Federation’s 2026 survey put average K-12 back-to-school spending at around $858 per family, covering supplies, clothing, shoes, and electronics. Actual spending varies widely by household size, grade level, and region, so treat this as a general benchmark rather than a target.
Are refurbished laptops safe to buy for school?
Certified refurbished laptops from manufacturer outlets or major retailers are generally a safe way to save, since they’re tested and usually come with a limited warranty. The main thing to watch for is buying only from verified sellers, since third-party refurbished listings without warranty coverage carry more risk if something fails.
Will tariffs really make back-to-school shopping more expensive in 2026?
Industry survey data suggests most shoppers expect tariffs to raise prices this year, particularly on electronics and imported apparel, though the exact impact on any single item depends on the product’s supply chain and the retailer’s pricing decisions. It’s a reasonable enough expectation that buying big-ticket items earlier, rather than waiting for a discount, may be the safer bet in 2026.
What’s the best way to save on school clothes specifically?
Waiting until closer to the start of school tends to pay off for apparel, since retailers mark down summer clothing as fall inventory arrives. Combining that timing with a sales tax holiday, when your state offers one, and checking secondhand or consignment options for fast-growing kids can meaningfully cut the clothing portion of the list.
Do stores really offer student discounts on school supplies?
Yes, many retailers offer student and educator discounts, though they’re often not advertised prominently and typically require showing a student or staff ID, or verifying status through a service like SheerID at checkout. The discount amount varies by retailer, generally in the 10% to 20% range.
