School Supplies Cost How Much? 9 Ways to Spend Less

The numbers paint a stark picture. According to CNBC’s analysis of producer price data, virtually every school supply category has seen double-digit increases since before the pandemic.

Backpacks and travel bags lead the pack with a 29.2% jump, while marking devices like pens and highlighters aren’t far behind at 27.4%. Art supplies and paper products have climbed more than 20% each.

Deloitte’s latest retail survey reveals that families will spend an average of $570 per child on back-to-school shopping this year, totaling $30.9 billion nationwide. This is down on last year’s $586 average, but not because prices have dropped. Parents are simply buying less or finding ways to reduce costs.

Why does everything cost more?

There is a perfect storm of economic factors behind these price increases. Overall inflation has cooled from its peak, but the cost of producing school supplies hasn’t followed suit. Manufacturing disruptions, higher raw material costs, and transportation expenses from the pandemic era continue to ripple through supply chains.

Adding to parents’ anxiety are concerns about potential tariffs. According to Coresight Research analyst John Mercer, consumers are right to worry. “At some point, if tariffs come in, there will be price impacts,” he noted.

This uncertainty has already altered shopping behavior, with 62% of families planning to start their back-to-school shopping before August this year, a significant increase from 2024, likely to lock in current prices before any potential price increases.

Be wary of the debt trap

NerdWallet found that 46% of parents would go into debt to buy back-to-school items to help their child “fit in.” That’s up from last year, signaling a troubling trend.

While it’s natural to want your child to feel confident, taking on debt for school supplies can create a financial hangover that lasts well into the school year.

Instead of buying supplies you can’t afford on credit, try reducing your back-to-school shopping bill more creatively without going into debt.

Slash your school supply bill

Don’t let school lists, social pressure, and flashy marketing push you into overspending. There are plenty of smart ways to stock up without going overboard.

1. Have an honest conversation with your kids. Help them prioritize what matters most to them within your spending limits. Often, kids are more understanding than parents expect when included in financial discussions.
2. Start with what you already have. Check desk drawers, last year’s backpacks, and that junk drawer in the kitchen. Designate a “school supply box” for year-round use and store extra supplies in it whenever you find them.
3. Master the art of price matching. Many major retailers will match competitors’ prices, but you have to ask. Take photos of sale prices or pull them up on your phone while shopping. Target, Walmart, and Office Depot all have price-matching policies that could save you significant money, especially on bigger-ticket items like backpacks and calculators.
4. Buy in bulk (but be strategic). Warehouse stores can offer serious savings on basics like pencils, glue sticks, and notebooks. Consider splitting bulk purchases with other parents to maximize savings without drowning in supplies. Just avoid bulk-buying trendy items your child might outgrow interest in by October.
5. Embrace generic brands. According to Deloitte’s survey, 75% of parents plan to switch brands if their preferred option is too expensive, up from 62% last year. Store brands for basic supplies work just as well as name brands.
6. Avoid falling for marketing hype. You don’t need to buy ten trendy items when one will do. Stick to essentials and resist the urge to overbuy just because something is labeled “must-have.”
7. Time your shopping strategically. Most families are shopping early to avoid potential price hikes, but don’t overlook late-summer clearance sales. Many stores slash prices in late August and early September to clear inventory. Stock up on essentials for mid-year replenishment when prices are at their lowest.
8. Use technology to your advantage. NerdWallet explains how cashback apps like Rakuten and Honey can stack savings on top of sales when shopping online. Browser extensions automatically apply coupon codes at checkout. Some apps even send alerts when items on your list go on sale. Set up price alerts for big-ticket items starting in early July.
9. Consider community swaps. Organize a supply swap with neighbors or through school parent groups. That barely-used graphing calculator from last year’s math class? Another family would love it. These swaps work especially well for specialized supplies kids only need for one year or semester.

Are raised prices here to stay?

The answer largely depends on broader economic factors and policy decisions regarding tariffs. Coresight’s Mercer suggests that, “We haven’t seen the tariff impact yet,” indicating prices could climb higher if new trade policies take effect.

The days of loading up a cart without checking prices are over for most families. However, with smart shopping strategies and realistic expectations, you can still send your kids to school prepared without overspending.