10 Back-to-School Hacks to Beat Inflation

Back-to-school season is here – the second-biggest shopping season of the year! However, this year is shaping up to be more expensive than ever due to continued inflation and high prices. As always, we’re here to help with some tips and tricks. You can get everything you need, trim your back-to-school spending, and keep your budget intact.

Here are 10 back-to-school hacks to beat inflation:

1. Set a budget and stick to it

First thing’s first when it comes to back-to-school shopping: start by creating a budget. It’s important to ensure that your budget is realistic because you need to make sure that you stick to it once you’re out in the shops. Start with a list of essential items and set a target spending amount for each category. This will help keep you focused on what you actually need to buy and avoid impulse purchases so you stay within your financial limits.

2. Start early and plan ahead

One of the best ways to save money – not just on for back-to-school shopping but in most cases – is to start shopping early. This will help you take advantage of sales and avoid the last-minute rush when prices may be higher. You can also avoid the disappointment of items you want being sold out, and possibly needing to buy a more expensive alternative.

3. Take inventory of what you already have

Before heading to the stores, check out the inventory of supplies and clothes you already have at home. After all, it’s been a long and eventful summer, and nobody has been thinking about school supplies or fall clothes! Do you have some stacks of leftover paper or unused notebooks from last year that you forgot about? Have your fall clothes been buried at the bottom of drawers or the back of closets? Conduct a thorough search and see what you might be able to cross off your list for free! This can help you avoid buying more of what you already have and save a lot of money.

4. Shop during tax-free holidays

Many states offer tax-free holidays, where certain items are exempt from sales tax. Plan your shopping around these dates to maximize your savings. In some states, sales tax is over 9%, so you can save significantly by avoiding it on tax-free weekend.

5. Buy in bulk

For items you’ll need to buy many of, like notebooks, pens, and paper, buying bulk can be cost-effective. You’ll generally find discounts on bulk purchases at warehouse stores and office supply retailers. These types of items don’t go through significant updates or have new versions constantly coming out like electronics, so take advantage by buying large quantities. It will be one less thing for you to buy next year, too.

6. Use price comparison tools

Harness the power of technology to find the best deals as you shop for school supplies, gear and clothing this season. A price comparison website or app will automatically compare prices across different retailers to find the best deal. You’d be surprised how much prices can fluctuate between different stores, and you can skip the hassle of returning items after you’ve found a better price by checking ahead of time.

7. Consider secondhand options

Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online marketplaces, like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, can be treasure troves for gently used clothing, backpacks and other school supplies. You can net huge savings, not to mention help the environment, and find items that look like new.

8. Choose quality over quantity

While buying the cheapest option available may be tempting, investing in high-quality items can save you money in the long run. Especially if it’s an item that will be used for multiple years, paying a little more for quality can help you avoid buying another one next year.

9. Take advantage of student discounts

Many retailers offer student discounts on many items, from clothing to electronics. Check out the sites of your favorite retailers to see what they offer before completing a purchase. Make sure you check the fine print and bring along a student ID or anything else you need to claim the offer.

10. Leverage cashback and rewards programs

You may want to use credit cards offering cashback or rewards on purchases to get a little extra back from your spending. Only do this if you know you can pay off the credit card bill in full soon after, or the reward might not outweigh the interest you’ll accrue.

Back-to-school season should be an exciting time as you get the kids (or yourself) ready for another year. However, we can get swept up in the excitement and it turns to worry once the bills come due. Use these hacks to get through back-to-school season with your budget intact so you can start the new school year with the all the excitement and none of the worry!