Back-to-school is an exciting time of year for children, but it can also be costly for the family. There are the necessary school supplies, shoes, and clothes for growing children, as well as the ongoing expenses for meals, transportation, and extracurricular activities. Creating a school budget for the year and developing habits that reduce costs can go a long way, while modeling planning and savings lessons for children.
Create a budget for the school year. Beyond the basics of back-to-school supplies and clothes, there are ongoing expenses of lunches, transportation, sports, clubs, photos, technology, program fees, to name a few. Plan for school-related expenses by estimating expenses for each month and activity, then create a realistic school budget for the year based on your monthly estimates. Review and adjust the budget throughout the school year as needed.
Make a priority shopping list. Buying essentials first protects your budget. Create a list of items needed, then work with your child to divide the list into categories like urgent must buys, things that can wait, and optional purchases.
Meal prep! Start the habit of meal prepping one evening a week or on the weekend. Meals prepared at home are less expensive, allow the family to be home more, and are usually healthier. Follow the ‘cook once and eat twice’ rule to save time and money. Cook a large casserole, or make a big pot of soup that is easily warmed up later in the week. Try freezer friendly make-ahead recipes. Be sure to involve children with meal prep and clean-up too.
Try refurbished electronics. Look for refurbished electronics rather than brand new ones, which can strain the budget. Buying refurbished items can save hundreds of dollars while still getting the needed electronics.
Stock-up during sales. Watch for sales on school supplies, sports shoes, and clothes. Shop out-of-season for clothes for the best clothes discounts. Buy warm-weather items at the end of summer or early fall, and buy your family’s winter coats in January when spring items are starting to arrive.
Shop on sales tax-holidays! If your state offers a sales tax holiday this is a good day to shop, especially for big-ticket items. In West Virginia, the 2026 date was July 31-August 3, so plan to look for the dates in June so it is on your calendar before the start of next school year.
Try out thrifting. It is easier on your wallet and better for the environment. Check out your local thrift store to find back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, art supplies, backpacks, and more!
School supplies drives. Many community groups now distribute free school supplies to families who need them. It’s important to make sure your kids have what they need, and you can always donate to the program if you’re in a better place financially.
Reduce, reuse, recycle! Find new uses for things that you already have. A can or jar can be decorated and used to hold pencils or markers. Small boxes can be used to organize drawers. Finding creative solutions is a great lesson to teach children while saving money in the process. Minimize single-use items in lunch boxes by finding a lunch box option that allows you to reduce the use of sandwich bags or foil. Also pack reusable utensils.
Cut streaming subscriptions. Keep 1 or 2 that your family uses the most and get rid of everything else. The savings will add up!
Walking or biking to school, if the school is nearby, is a great way to build in exercise outdoors and save gas money, plus wear-and-tear on your vehicle.
Low-cost after school activities. Look into free or low-cost after-school care at your school or community. You could also try a childcare sway or share a babysitter with another family.
Back-to-school shopping can be a “teachable moment” about items that children care about for themselves. Be sure to involve them in the full process of planning and making purchases. Children can compare prices, choose between options within a budget, decide what items matter most, and learn about value vs. branding. Including them in the process gives them autonomy and helps them learn about financial literacy.
To be more cost-conscious during the school year, develop a budget based on projected monthly expenses, check what you already own, prioritize essential items, time purchases for better deals, plan for hidden expenses, track spending, and teach children money habits.
Margaret Miltenberger, Associate Professor, WVU Extension Agent — Mineral County
Financial Literacy Education Team