Infographic: Quick tips for back-to-school shopping

A new school year means new notebooks, new sneakers, and, let's be honest, a new opportunity to overspend. With a little strategy, you can set your student up for a confident, organized start without the last-minute scramble or the budget blowout.

Start with a plan

A little planning goes a long way. Before you start shopping, write down exactly what your student needs for the upcoming school year. Keeping a checklist handy can help you stay focused, stick to your budget, and skip the tempting extras that often end up in the cart.

Check what you already have

Once your list is ready, take a lap around the house before you take one around the store. Leftover notebooks, a backpack in decent shape, or a calculator that still works can all get another year of use, and every item you reuse is one less thing to buy.

Give your budget some structure

Instead of working from one big number, break your spending into categories like supplies, clothing, tech, and extras. This makes it easier to track where your money is going and to spot areas where you have room to save.

Shop smart, not fast

Take a few minutes to compare prices online and in-store rather than grabbing the first option you see. Timing your purchases around tax-free weekends or bundle deals can also stretch your budget further.

Buy for durability

When it comes to backpacks, lunch boxes, and other everyday items, spending a bit more upfront on something built to last can save you the hassle and cost of a mid-year replacement.

Let your student have a say

Whether it's picking a favorite color, pattern, or style, giving your student some ownership over their supplies makes shopping more fun for them and builds genuine excitement for the year ahead.

Don't skip the essentials

Hand sanitizer and tissues might not be the most exciting items on the list, but they're the ones that get used the most once the year gets going.

Back-to-school season doesn't have to mean stress or overspending. With a checklist in hand, a clear budget, and a little input from your student, you can turn shopping day into a smooth, even enjoyable, kickoff to the year ahead.

Ready to start your child's savings journey? Our MyLife Savings for Kids account was recently ranked among the top 9 kids savings accounts. Open an account today and help them build smart money habits for the future.