How to Set a Back-to-School Budget

The supply list arrives, and it is two pages long.

Pencils, binders, calculators, a backpack, new shoes, a few outfits, a lunch box, and a school fee or two. For many families, the cost of getting a child ready for school arrives all at once, and it can feel like a pile of small bills that add up to a very large one. With more than one child, it grows quickly.

A budget turns that pile into a plan. This guide shows you how to set a back-to-school budget, step by step. You will list what each child truly needs, check what you already have, set a limit, shop in a smart order, and look for ways to save on every part of the season. Start early if you can, so the cost is spread over several weeks and not one.

Set a Budget for Each Child Before You Shop

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Start by finding out what each child really needs

Begin with the facts. Ask the school or the teacher for the official supply list, and check the school’s website for dress code details, fees, and any technology requirements. Write a separate list for each child. If you want help planning for a busy household, my money saving tips for busy parents managing a household may be a useful companion.

Divide each list into needs and wants. A required calculator is a need. A particular character backpack is a want. Having the two on separate lines makes budgeting easier.

Include extras that come up later, such as field trips, club fees, sports, and picture day.

Get the official supply list for each child, and sort every item into need or want.

Check what you already have, before you buy anything

Look through your home for supplies left over from the previous school year. Many families have unused notebooks, pens, scissors, rulers, glue, and folders in drawers and backpacks. Check lunch boxes, water bottles, and backpacks too, since many can be washed and used again.

Go through clothing and shoes. Try things on, and note what still fits, what can be passed down, and what is truly missing. Check hand-me-downs from relatives and friends.

Gather everything in one place, and cross items off your lists as you find them.

Gather leftover supplies and try on last season’s clothes, and cross off everything you already have.

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Set a budget for each child, and a total for the season

Decide how much you can spend in all, and divide it among your children, based on their needs. Write the amounts at the top of each list. A clear limit helps you choose carefully. As an example with made-up numbers, you might set $150 for each of two children, for a total of $300. For help keeping the numbers organized, these budget planner pages that help you organize bills and expenses can be a good fit.

If your limit is tight, rank your needs, and cover the most important first. Spread the shopping over a few weeks, and save a little from each paycheck, if you can.

Keep your receipts, and track your total as you go.

Set a total back-to-school budget, divide it among your children, and write each amount on the child’s list.

“A back-to-school budget turns a pile of small bills into one clear plan.”

Shop in the right order, with needs first

Start with required supplies and any clothing or shoes that are truly missing. Buy those first, and keep the rest for later. Many stores run sales on school supplies, and prices often drop as the season goes on, so it can help to watch prices and buy when they are low.

Some places have sales tax holidays on certain items, and your state may be one of them. Check your state’s rules and dates before you shop, since they vary.

Wait on extras and wants until you see how much is left in your budget.

Make a shopping order for each list, with required items first, and look up any local tax holiday rules.

Plan School Spending in One Place

The free Money Reset Workbook gives you a clear page for each child’s costs, so every purchase fits your plan.

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Save on supplies with smart habits

Buy basic supplies in bulk when the unit price is lower, and share with siblings. Choose store brands for paper, pencils, and folders. Skip character-themed items, which often cost more. Ask whether some supplies are shared in the classroom, and wait until the first week to buy anything that is not clearly required. For more ways to stretch your dollars, take a look at these money saving habits that help parents stretch every dollar.

Look for free or low-cost supply drives in your community, at churches, libraries, and local groups. Many give out backpacks and basic supplies at no cost.

Reuse items from last season, such as binders and rulers, with a little cleaning.

Compare unit prices on three bulk supplies, and find out about any local supply drives.

Save on clothing and shoes

Children outgrow clothes quickly, so secondhand shopping can save a great deal. Thrift stores, consignment shops, swaps, and online groups are good places to start. Buy only what is on your list, and check seams, zippers, and fit.

Choose basics that mix and match, in a few colors. Buy shoes new if you want good fit and support, and look for sales. Check the school’s dress code before you buy anything.

Hand down clothes between siblings, and trade with friends or neighbors. Wash and mend before you pass things on.

Plan a clothing swap or a secondhand trip, and write a short list of the pieces each child really needs.

Plan for lunches, technology, and fees

Lunch can be a big ongoing cost. Pack lunches at home with a few simple rotations, and use reusable containers. Check whether your child qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, which many families do. For technology, ask whether the school provides devices before you buy one, and look for refurbished or used options if you need to buy. For help with family budgeting, my family money saving tips that make budgeting feel easier may help.

Ask about fee waivers or payment plans for school fees, field trips, and activities. Many schools have help available, and they would rather you ask.

Write down all the ongoing costs, so your budget covers the whole year, and not just the first week.

Write down your lunch, technology, and fee costs, and ask the school about any help available.

Watch out for impulse buys and pressure

Back-to-school sales are designed to make you spend more. Stick to your list, and skip the extras that are not on it. Children may ask for the latest items, and a calm answer helps. Explain that you have a plan and a budget.

Involve older children in the plan. Let them choose how to spend a set amount on clothes or supplies, so they learn about trade-offs. Many children take it seriously, and a limit teaches valuable skills.

Remember that your child does not need the newest of everything to have a good school year.

Decide what you will say when your child asks for something over budget, and consider giving each child a small amount to manage.

Track your spending, and plan ahead for next time

As you shop, record what you spend on each child, and compare it with your budget. If you went over, note why. If you came in under, move the extra to savings or to later school costs.

After the season, write down what worked. Which stores had the best prices? What did you buy that you did not need? Which items were reused? Keep notes for next time.

A small monthly sinking fund for school costs makes the next season much easier, since the money is waiting when the list arrives.

Start a small monthly savings amount for next season’s school costs, and keep your receipts and notes in one place.

Ready to Head Back to School Without the Money Stress?

The free Money Reset Workbook helps you see your numbers clearly, so your back-to-school budget is simple and steady.

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