Summer is winding down and back to school is right around the corner for most of us. With that comes shifting back to your school routine, planning for all the extracurricular activities and usually, new expenses. Planning for back-to-school shopping can be overwhelming and add another layer of stress to your plate. 

According to Deloitte’s 17th annual back-to-school survey, families experience one of their largest shopping events when purchasing everything for the new school season. And with inflation, prices have increased more than 20% over the past two years. 

Juggling the stress of checking required items off the provided school lists with special items children may want, back-to-school shopping isn’t always a fun outing you’re looking forward to. There’s increasing prices everywhere you turn: car or health insurance, groceries, clothes and overall cost of living.

What can you do to help ease the financial burden of back-to-school?

• Make a list. It’s easy to walk into the store and be overwhelmed by the back-to-school shopping section. Without a list, it’s likely you’ll overbuy – and possibly even forget a few must-have items. If you have a set date you’re planning to go shopping, start working on your list a few days before so you can audit and think through all the items. And if you’re shopping with your kids, it’s a great reminder for the whole family what you need to put in the cart – and what you don’t.
• Take inventory of what you have. You might already have a few items stashed away in a closet or container somewhere. Have your shopping list handy so you can cross off things while shopping your household items.
• Shop smart. Set a budget for what you can spend on school items this month. Maybe it’s possible to shift other school items out to next month’s budget if you need to! When looking at your budget, don’t forget to take some time to compare prices across stores or online. Often, stores will price match too. You can also find gently used items at thrift stores or online marketplaces. 
• Find out when your state’s Tax-Free Weekend is. In Texas, families can shop tax-free August 9 – 11. This includes clothing and shoes, backpacks, facemasks and school supplies.

We know sometimes it’s not just the back-to-school supplies that hit the wallet, but packing lunches or planning for dinners or signing up for sports.

Here are a few other ways to help relieve some financial stress this season. 

• Buy in bulk for snacks and lunch. If you don’t have the space to store the full amount, or don’t need that much, partner with a neighbor or friend to split the cost.
• Lean on community resources. There are typically back-to-school fairs in the community to help with basic school needs, but don’t shy away from that community support throughout the year to help with haircuts, hygiene kits and more.
• Start saving for upcoming and surprise expenses. We’ve all heard to save for a rainy day, but that can be difficult if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. If you can’t save, find creative ways to make extra cash: selling old clothes, tutoring, baking, etc.
• Many public schools in Texas offer free and reduced lunch programs if qualifications are met. Inquire with your school about resources available to you and your children.
• Plan your meals and groceries. Meal planning reduces food waste and helps you and your family make better nutritional choices too. Knowing what you’re going to cook also reduces that added stress of deciding what to have and helps you track and maintain your food expenses.

Our Buckner Family Hope Center® locations provide aid, family coaching and more to support families across Texas. The goal is to strengthen families consistently, provide a community to lean on and keep parents and children together. Through the effective combination of programs and people, families who are experiencing poverty, family challenges and a lack of resources can find hope and empowerment. 

The support you can find at a Family Hope Center expands beyond the back-to-school season. Children can experience community and fun in the children and youth programs, while parents can dive into opportunities like Faith and Finance for financial education, Jobs for Life to expand on marketable job skills, parenting classes and much more.

Don’t let the financial stress of back-to-school weigh you down this year and head into the school season with support and joy. 

Find a Buckner Family Hope Center® location near you and experience support and hope today.