How to Save on School Supplies (Back to School)

Every start of the school year is the same story: the school supply list arrives and the shock comes with it. Notebooks, books, backpacks, uniforms, art supplies… The bill adds up quickly and can seriously compromise your budget at the beginning of the year, a time that’s already typically tight financially.

The good news is that you can save significantly on back-to-school shopping without harming your children’s education. With planning, research, and some smart strategies, you can reduce these expenses by 30-50%. This guide will show you how.

The Weight of School Supplies on the Budget

For many families, back-to-school is one of the biggest expenses of the year.

Average Costs

Early childhood and elementary:

• Basic supplies: $100-250
• Books: $150-400
• Uniform: $100-300
• Total: $350-950

Middle school:

• Basic supplies: $150-300
• Books: $250-600
• Uniform: $150-350
• Total: $550-1,250

High school:

• Supplies: $150-350
• Books: $300-750
• Uniform: $150-350
• Total: $600-1,450

Multiply by the number of children and the budget impact becomes clear.

Why the School Year Start Is So Difficult

• Property taxes may be due
• Holidays generated extra expenses
• School supplies weigh heavily
• Tuition may have increased
• Holiday bonus is already gone (and sometimes already spent)

That’s why planning for back-to-school ahead of time is essential.

Evaluating What You Already Have at Home

Before going shopping, do a complete inventory of what already exists.

What Can Be Reused

Supplies that last more than one year:

• Pencil case (if in good condition)
• Rulers, protractors, compasses
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue sticks (if still usable)
• Colored pencils and crayons (partially used ones work)
• Sharpeners
• Erasers
• Folders and binders

Items that can continue:

• Notebooks with remaining pages (use as scratch paper)
• Pens that still work
• Highlighters with ink
• Last year’s backpack

How to Evaluate

1. Gather all school supplies in the house
2. Separate what’s in usable condition
3. Compare with the new list
4. Buy only what’s missing

Typical Savings

Reusing what you have can save $30-100 per child.

School List: Required vs Optional

Not everything on the list is truly necessary. Learn to differentiate.

What’s Required

• Notebooks in requested specifications
• Required textbooks
• Specific materials for subjects (e.g., lab coat for laboratory)
• Official uniform (if school requires it)

What’s Usually Optional or Substitutable

Excessive quantities:

• 10 notebooks with 200 pages? Probably won’t use all of them
• 5 glue sticks? One or two are enough for the semester
• 24 colored pencils when 12 are sufficient

Specific brand:

• “Brand X pen” can be substituted for an equivalent
• “Brand Y notebook” is preference, not obligation

Collective supplies:

• Reams of paper
• Cleaning supplies
• Items for “classroom use”
• Check if it’s legal to require (in many places, it’s not)

What to Do

1. Question excessive quantities — Talk to the school
2. Substitute brands — Similar quality, lower price
3. Collective supplies — Check local regulations
4. Buy essentials first — Complete later if needed

Generic Brands That Work Well

You don’t need to pay more for a famous brand.

Where Brand Matters Less

Where It’s Worth Investing a Bit More

Good and Affordable Brands

• Notebooks: Store brands, budget-friendly options
• Pencils and pens: BIC, generic equivalents
• Glue and tape: Store brands
• Backpacks: Discount store brands, warehouse club options

The Math

Example — colored pencil set:

• Premium brand: $40
• Mid-range brand: $20
• Budget brand: $10

If the budget brand works (and it usually does for young children), you save $30 on a single item.

Buying in Groups with Other Parents

Buying in bulk usually costs less.

How It Works

1. Gather parents from the same class/grade
2. Consolidate the lists
3. Research wholesale prices
4. Split the purchase and costs

Where to Buy as a Group

• Wholesale clubs: Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s
• Office supply stores with quantity discounts
• School supply distributors
• Online bulk purchases

Typical Savings

Buying wholesale, savings of 15-30% are common.

Practical Example

100 notebooks with 100 pages:

• Retail: $8 each = $800
• Wholesale: $5 each = $500
• Savings: $300 divided among parents

Tips for Success

• Designate one person to organize
• Make consolidated list before buying
• Split costs proportionally
• Agree on pickup location/date

Best Times and Places to Buy

Timing is everything. Those who buy at the wrong time pay more.

When to Buy

Best time: Early summer/Late spring

• Stores haven’t raised prices yet
• Complete stock
• Less rushing

OK time: Mid-summer

• Some post-holiday sales
• Still has variety
• Prices starting to rise

Worst time: Right before school starts

• Prices at peak
• Limited stock
• Lines and chaos
• Pressure to buy anything

Where to Buy

Usually cheaper:

• Wholesale clubs
• Big-box stores
• Local office supply stores (negotiate!)
• Online (with free shipping)

Usually more expensive:

• Mall bookstores
• Famous chain office supply stores
• Stores inside schools

Smart Strategy

1. Early summer: Buy non-perishable items (notebooks, pens, rulers)
2. Mid-summer: Buy books and uniforms
3. Before school: Only what’s missing (specific items)

Online vs Physical Store: Where Is It Cheaper

Each channel has advantages. Use both.

Physical Store

Advantages:

• See product quality
• Take it home immediately
• Can negotiate
• No shipping costs

Disadvantages:

• Need to go there
• Prices sometimes higher
• Limited variety

Best for:

• Backpacks (need to see/try)
• Uniforms (try on size)
• Items you need to see in person

Online

Advantages:

• Easy price comparison
• More variety
• Exclusive promotions
• Home delivery

Disadvantages:

• Shipping can add cost
• Takes time to receive
• Can’t see product beforehand
• Risk of delays close to school start

Best for:

• Textbooks
• Basic supplies in quantity
• Standardized items

Always Compare

Use comparison websites and compare:

• Product price
• Shipping cost
• Delivery time
• Store reputation

Note: Free shipping above $X may be worth combining orders.

The Mistake of Last-Minute Shopping

Leaving it until right before school starts is the most expensive mistake you can make.

Why It Costs More

Inflated prices:

• Stores know you need it
• High demand = high prices
• Fewer sales

Limited stock:

• Popular items sell out
• Only expensive options remain
• Uniform sizes disappear

Time pressure:

• Can’t research properly
• Buy what’s available, not what’s best
• Accept any price

Stress:

• Huge lines
• Restless children
• Rushed decisions

The Real Cost

Buying everything last minute can cost 20-40% more than buying ahead.

Example:

• Early purchase: $800
• Last-minute purchase: $1,000-1,120
• Difference: $200-320 per child

How to Avoid

• Start researching in late spring
• Buy in early summer
• Leave for last minute only specific items that depend on the final list

Uniforms: New vs Used vs Consignment

Uniform is one of the most expensive items — and where you can save the most.

New Uniform

When it makes sense:

• Specific pieces not found used
• Child in very rapid growth phase (will wear out before donating)
• First time at the school (need complete kit)

How to save:

• Buy a bigger size (child grows)
• Buy only the minimum necessary
• Research authorized stores vs generic stores

Used Uniform

Where to find:

• School’s own consignment sales
• Parent groups on WhatsApp/Facebook
• Online marketplaces
• Children’s consignment stores

Advantages:

• 50-70% cheaper
• Usually in good condition (children outgrow quickly)
• Sustainable (less waste)

Precautions:

• Check condition
• Confirm it’s current uniform (schools change)
• Try on before buying

Typical Savings

Extra Tip

At year’s end, sell or donate uniforms that no longer fit. It helps other parents and frees up space.

Creating a Back-to-School Goal

The best way not to suffer at school time is to prepare during the year.

How to Calculate

1. Estimate total expense (based on previous year)
2. Add 10-20% margin
3. Divide by available months

Example:

• Estimated expense: $1,000
• With margin (15%): $1,150
• Starting in March: 5 months
• Monthly goal: $230

Where to Keep It

• Separate account
• Short-term investment (high-yield savings)
• Virtual “envelope” in finance app

The Power of Planning

Without planning:

• School time: $1,000 expense at once
• Budget squeeze
• Put it on credit card (with interest)

With planning:

• $230/month from March to July
• School time: money already saved
• Cash purchases (sometimes with discount)

How Monely Can Help

Monely makes back-to-school planning easier:

Back-to-school goal: Create a specific goal and track how much you’ve saved for start-of-year purchases.

Specific category: Record all school supply expenses in a separate category and know exactly how much you spent.

Advance planning: Set monthly contributions to the goal and arrive at school time with money ready.

Year-over-year comparison: See how much you spent the previous year and use it as a base for next year’s planning.

Conclusion

Saving on school supplies doesn’t mean compromising your children’s education. It means being smart with money.

Strategy summary:

1. Reuse what you already have at home
2. Question excessive quantities on the list
3. Substitute expensive brands for equivalents
4. Buy in groups with other parents
5. Buy early (late spring/early summer)
6. Compare online and physical stores
7. Consider used uniforms at consignment sales
8. Plan throughout the year with a specific goal

With these strategies, you can save 30-50% on back-to-school — money that can go toward your children’s education in other ways, or simply to keep the family budget balanced.

Next steps: Download Monely and create your back-to-school goal now. Starting to save early is the best way not to suffer when school starts.