Back-to-School Budget 2025: How to Save Money This Year
- Most families face a lot of expenses when it's time for kids to go back to school.
- Get an early start on shopping so you have more options to track prices.
- Don't buy everything new, and don’t be shy about asking for hand-me-downs.
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The months leading up to the start of a new school year can be exciting and stressful at the same time. For you and your children, it could mean adjusting to a whole new schedule. But also, there's a cost to getting kids ready to go back to school.
If you're worried your back-to-school budget might drive you into debt, you're not alone. In 2024, Deloitte estimated the cost of back to school spending at $586 per student. You might need a larger back-to-school budget if your children play sports or if you need to purchase a new laptop or another expensive learning tool.
With smart budgeting, you can finish your back-to-school shopping list without racking up a huge credit card balance in the process. Here's how to save money on back-to-school shopping this year.
Related: How to get credit card debt relief
1. Get an Early Start
Depending on where you live, school might start up in early August or more than a month later. But if you want to minimize back-to-school spending, your best bet is to give yourself an early start. That could mean getting the ball rolling now.
Starting early gives you more time to compare prices at different retailers and seek out sales on more expensive items. In fact, once you establish your back-to-school budget, identify the two or three most expensive items on your list. Then, shop around to find out which retailers carry those items. Add them to several online shopping carts.
If you monitor those carts for a few weeks, you may find that some prices drop. From there, you can scoop up key items at a discount. You could also install a coupon browser extension that alerts you when there’s a cheaper price available for an item you’re looking at online.
2. Don't Assume You Need to Buy Everything New
There are certain back-to-school items you probably have to buy new (it’s hard to get away with having used notebooks and pencils). But there’s no rule stating that your children’s clothing, backpacks, or electronics can’t be previously used. Buying secondhand could be a huge source of savings.
It especially pays to buy used items when you don’t expect your child to need them for very long. Say you have a high-schooler taking an advanced math class for one semester that requires a fancy calculator. You can probably get away with a used one. Or, if your child is trying lacrosse for the first time and you’re not sure they’ll stick with it beyond one season, why splurge on all new gear?
3. Tap Your Social Network for Hand-Me-Downs
Chances are, you know at least a few people in town whose children are older than yours. If you want to save money on back to school shopping, don’t be shy about reaching out and asking if anyone has hand-me-downs to share, whether it’s clothing, a baseball mitt, or an old laptop they’ve recently upgraded.
Another option? Get involved with your school’s parent-teacher association and coordinate a district-wide swap. You can also post a message about sharing gently used items on your town’s social media page, if it has one, or your neighborhood Buy Nothing page. You may find plenty of parents who are willing to participate so they can help each other out and spend less themselves.
4. Shop on Tax Holidays
If there’s one thing that might throw your back-to-school budget off, it’s taxes. It’s easy enough to forget about taxes, but when you factor them in on clothes, gadgets, and gear, they can really add up.
Some states that normally charge sales tax on back to school items specifically create tax-free weeks to give parents a break. It pays to find out if your state has a program like this in place and do more shopping while it’s happening. If you normally have to pay 8% in taxes, you could save nearly $50 on $400 worth of supplies.
5. Take Advantage of Educator Discounts
If you're an educator or school employee, you may be eligible for discounts from certain retailers at certain times. Make a list of the stores you normally turn to for back-to-school shopping and check their websites for promotions. Also, reach out to fellow educators, as they might alert you to stores running specials you didn’t know about.
If you’re buying back-to-school supplies for your classroom, keep detailed records and hang on to your receipts. In 2025, you can deduct up to $300 in unreimbursed educator expenses on your taxes.
Get Creative to Avoid Debt
In 2024, 31% of parents said back-to-school shopping was likely to force them into debt. If you’re already trying to get rid of your debt, the last thing you need is more. And if you follow these money-saving tips, you may find that you’re able to come up with a back-to-school budget that doesn’t break the bank.
Insights into debt relief demographics
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during June 2025. The data provides insights about key characteristics of debt relief seekers.
FICO scores and enrolled debt
Curious about the credit scores of those in debt relief? In June 2025, the average FICO score for people enrolling in a debt settlement program was 594, with an average enrolled debt of $26,445. For different age groups, the FICO scores varied. For instance, those aged 51-65 had an average FICO score of 591 and an enrolled debt of $28,619. The 18-25 age group had an average FICO score of 556 and an enrolled debt of $15,107. No matter your age or debt level, it's reassuring to know you're not alone. Taking the step to seek help can lead you towards a brighter financial future.
Student loan debt – average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average student debt for those with a balance was $46,980. The percentage of families with student debt was 22%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Student loan debt among those seeking debt relief is prevalent. In June 2025, 27% of the debt relief seekers had student debt. The average student debt balance (for those with student debt) was $48,703.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average student debt balance.
| State | Percent with student loans | Average Balance for those with student loans | Average monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 34 | $71,987 | $203 |
| Georgia | 29 | $59,907 | $183 |
| Mississippi | 28 | $55,347 | $145 |
| Alaska | 22 | $54,555 | $104 |
| Maryland | 31 | $54,495 | $142 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a student loan balance over $0.
Student debt is an important part of many households' financial picture. When you examine your finances, consider your total debt and your monthly payments.
Regain Financial Freedom
Seeking debt relief can be the first step toward financial freedom. Are you struggling with debt? Explore options for debt relief to regain control of your finances. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your FICO score or credit utilization is. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.
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Author Information
Written by
Maurie Backman
Maurie Backman is a personal finance writer with over 10 years of experience. Her coverage areas include retirement, investing, real estate, and credit and debt management.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
How much should I spend on back-to-school items?
You should try to keep your back-to-school budget to an amount that you can afford. That could mean setting priorities and being willing to buy certain items secondhand.
What’s the best way to pay for back-to-school items?
Your best bet is to pay for back-to-school items using cash, a debit card, or a credit card whose balance you pay in full when it becomes due. If you can avoid it, it’s best not to pay off back-to-school purchases over time since you risk losing money to interest charges.
What should I do if I can’t afford all of my back-to-school purchases?
If you can’t afford everything on your list, set priorities and ask for hand-me-downs. Also, explore whether it’s possible for your kids to share certain items. Try not to put yourself in debt for back-to-school purchases if you can help it.
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