How to keep back-to-school shopping from breaking the bank
Briefly

The average household will spend $860 on back-to-school shopping for K-12 students and $1,325 for college students in the 2025-2026 year. School fees are often overlooked and can significantly impact budgets. Typical fees include registration, Chromebook insurance, and participation fees. To manage these costs effectively, contacting schools for fee information before shopping is advisable. Additionally, taking an inventory of household supplies can help parents save money, allowing room in the budget for necessary expenses.
The National Retail Federation estimates that the average household will spend just under $860 on back-to-school shopping for K-12 students in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Parents of college students can expect to pay an average of $1,325 for supplies before their students return to campus.
School fees, often forgotten, can significantly impact a back-to-school budget, including registration fees, Chromebook insurance, and athletic participation fees.
Taking an inventory of home supplies can help save money during back-to-school shopping by utilizing what you already have.
Read at Fast Company
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