Back-to-School Shopping Without Blowing Your Budget

August 18, 2026

Oh my, it's that time of year already.

It's back-to-school time, and you know what that means: getting the kids back on a school sleep schedule, packing lunch boxes, reviewing homework, and the big one...

Back-to-school shopping.

Now, back-to-school shopping can be an experience depending on the age of your child.

For my 6-year-old, I used to be able to pick out something I thought looked good and he would happily wear it.

Not anymore.

Now he's telling me, "No, Mommy. I don't like that."

And my 10-year-old?

He has a style of his own.

That's all gravy—as long as everybody stays within my budget. 😂

We actually had a lot of fun back-to-school shopping this year. We made a day of it, went to the arcade, and grabbed something to eat together as a family.

But underneath all the fun was still a plan.

Start With What You Know Will Cost the Most

Before we went shopping, I already knew the two biggest expenses for me would be sneakers for both boys and jeans for my oldest.

By the way, when did jeans get so expensive?

Unlike my little guy, I really needed to buy my oldest new jeans because he had outgrown his. His feet also went up two shoe sizes.

Now I understand what my mother meant when she used to talk about how quickly we were growing.

But hey, I should have expected it. He has two really tall parents.

The important thing is that none of this should have been a financial surprise.

I have school-aged children.

They're going to grow.

They're going to need clothes.

They're going to need shoes.

And we're going to do this all over again next year.

So I plan for it.

Create a Fund Before You Need It

I have three line items in my budget specifically for my children:

Summer Camp

Kids' Activities — sports and other extracurricular activities

Kids' Expenses — clothing and other things that come up throughout the year

I put money into these buckets every month.

Then, when back-to-school season comes around, I look at how much I've accumulated and plan accordingly.

That's the key.

Back-to-school shopping isn't an emergency.

As a parent of school-aged children, I know this expense is coming every year for a long time.

So instead of waiting until August and trying to figure out how I'm going to pay for everything at once, I can put a little aside throughout the year.

And if my kids want something specific that isn't in my budget?

They have another option.

They can use money from the stipend they earn from doing their chores.

Funny how quickly "I really need this" can change when it's coming out of their own money.

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Week

If your state offers a sales tax-free week, take advantage of it.

Here in Connecticut, Tax-Free Week runs from August 16–22 this year. Qualifying clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item can be purchased without sales tax.

If you're already planning to buy clothes and shoes for back to school, why not time some of those purchases when you can save a little extra?

But remember:

A sale or tax break isn't a reason to buy more. It's an opportunity to spend less on what you already planned to buy.

Don't Be Afraid of Hand-Me-Downs

If money is tight, ask friends or family members if their children have clothes they've outgrown.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with hand-me-downs that are in great condition.

If my brother-in-law lived closer, I would gladly take his son's jeans for my 10-year-old.

Unfortunately, they live on the other side of the country.

Good clothes are good clothes.

And if you haven't already, check out my recent Island Money 365 podcast episode, How "Hand-Me-Downs Save Me Thousands" and why I've never had a problem with them.

Tell People What Your Kids Actually Need

If family members ask what the kids need for back to school, tell them.

Instead of another toy, you can simply say:

"They could really use some back-to-school clothes."

Or sneakers.

Or a backpack.

Or whatever you actually need.

Sometimes we make finances harder because we're afraid to tell people what would genuinely help.

You can't get what you don't ask for.

Use the Resources Around You

Look for back-to-school events in your community.

Many organizations give away backpacks filled with school supplies or host events where families can pick up things their children need.

Take advantage of them.

And please don't let pride get in the way.

If a resource is available to the community and you qualify to use it, use it.

A dollar saved is a dollar you can use for something else your family needs.

And Here's What I Do...

I buy my kids a few new things for the first week of school.

After that?

It's a mixture of the new clothes and the old clothes.

I'm not buying an entirely new wardrobe when there are perfectly good clothes in the closet that still fit.

You just need to look fresh the first week.

After that, press your old stuff and keep moving. 😂

Final Thought

Back-to-school season doesn't have to wreck your budget.

The biggest advantage we have with expenses like these is that we know they're coming.

Maybe you weren't able to save ahead this year.

That's okay.

Do what you can with what you have. Use community resources. Accept the hand-me-downs. Ask family for what your children actually need. Prioritize the necessities and leave some of the wants for later.

Then, once this back-to-school season is over, start preparing for the next one.

Even a small amount set aside every month can make next August feel very different.

Because the goal isn't to give our children everything new.

It's to give them what they need without creating financial stress for ourselves in the process.

And trust me—they'll survive wearing last year's shirt.

Keep your money Irie.

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About the Author

Petra-Ann Brown is a financial educator, speaker, and founder of Brown Financial Solutions, LLC. Through workshops, coaching, storytelling, and her podcast Island Money 365, she helps individuals and families build financial confidence, reduce financial stress, and create lasting wealth.