As families continue to feel the pressure of higher everyday expenses, another major cost is quickly approaching: back-to-school shopping.
As families continue to feel the pressure of higher everyday expenses, another major cost is quickly approaching: back-to-school shopping.
From clothing and backpacks to laptops, sports equipment and extracurricular activities, preparing children for a new school year can put additional strain on household budgets. With some families already turning to credit cards to cover necessities like groceries, smart shopping expert Trae Bodge says planning ahead can help parents avoid taking on unnecessary debt.
Speaking with The National News Desk, Bodge said one of the easiest ways to save money is to start shopping without actually going to a store.
"Back-to-school shopping starts at home," Bodge said. "Look at what you have around the house. Maybe last year's backpack just needs a wash."
She suggested parents take inventory of clothing and school supplies before making a shopping list, including having children try on clothes they already own to determine what still fits.
"Have your kids do a fashion show too so you can see which clothes fit, which clothes don't, which supplies you really need, and then build your list from there," Bodge said.
Hand-me-downs and secondhand purchases can also help families reduce costs, particularly for clothing and other items that do not necessarily need to be purchased new.
"I'm all for hand-me-downs and secondhand whenever it makes sense," Bodge said. "It's a great way to keep the budget down."
Some expenses, however, can be harder to avoid. Laptops, tablets and other electronics have become increasingly important for students, and those purchases can quickly add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to a family's back-to-school bill.
Bodge encouraged parents to look for student discounts and education pricing before paying full price.
"A number of brands offer education pricing if your child has a student ID or an EDU email address," she said.
Bodge pointed to Apple as one example, noting the company offers education pricing throughout the year as well as seasonal promotions on qualifying products.
For families facing a large necessary purchase, Bodge said buy now, pay later services can offer another option, but parents should understand the terms and make sure future payments fit into their budgets.
"I think buy now, pay later can be a really helpful tool," Bodge said. "You have to be very aware of what the terms are, what's expected of you and what that payment schedule is."
She cautioned that families should account for installment payments alongside essential monthly expenses such as rent, mortgages and utility bills.
"Plot that out, of course, with your other expenses like your rent or your mortgage or your bills," Bodge said.
Parents may also encounter expenses that do not appear on the traditional school supply list.
Bodge said extracurricular activities are one category families frequently underestimate. Sports can require new cleats, uniforms and safety equipment, while music programs may require families to purchase or rent instruments.
"Something that parents don't budget for often are extracurriculars," Bodge said. "You want your kids to try all the things, right? But then maybe there are new cleats or safety equipment you have to buy. There's a musical instrument you have to buy or lease."
She recommended discussing those costs with children and potentially setting limits on the number of activities they participate in if expenses become difficult to manage.
Social media is also influencing what children want their parents to buy, according to Bodge.
She cited a recent PayPal study that found 60% of parents surveyed said they often spend more than expected because their children request specific products.
"Our kids are going on social media, and they're seeing their favorite influencers with a cool pair of sneakers, that cool hoodie or a brand of jeans that they like," Bodge said. "Then they're going to their parents and making those requests."
Rather than automatically agreeing to more expensive purchases, Bodge suggested parents establish a back-to-school budget with their children and consider asking them to contribute toward premium items they specifically want.
"It's really important to sit down with your kids and set a budget, maybe have them contribute to those more expensive things that they're requesting," she said.
Bodge said involving children in those financial decisions can also turn back-to-school shopping into an opportunity to teach them about budgeting and priorities.
"Digging into their pocket a little bit is a great teachable moment for parents," Bodge said, adding that those financial lessons can stay with children as they get older.
With back-to-school expenses arriving alongside groceries, housing and other household bills, Bodge said taking inventory, shopping strategically and establishing a budget before making purchases can help families keep costs under control as students return to the classroom.
