(WDRB/InvestigateTV) — Back-to-school shoppers expect to spend about $611 this year — roughly $130 less than last year — according to a new NerdWallet report.
The pullback is being driven by the rising cost of living. A quarter of parents say higher prices for gas and groceries are forcing them to cut back and stick to a budget, according to NerdWallet personal finance expert Sara Rathner.
Rathner said the first step before heading to any store is checking what is already on hand.
"Shop your own home and see what you already have left over from the previous school year," Rathner said. "You might already have a bunch of supplies handy that are still in good shape. So just reuse them — it’s the economical thing to do, it’s the environmentally friendly thing to do. It teaches a great lesson to your kids on using what you already have."
Even with tighter budgets, the pressure to keep up remains. 43% of parents say they would go into debt to help their child fit in at school, and 45% say they would do the same for extracurriculars.
Having honest conversations with children about what the family can and cannot afford is a reasonable approach, Rathner said.
Comparison shopping, sales and tax-free weekends are among the most effective tools for keeping costs down.
"Comparison shopping is always great, shopping sales," Rathner said. "Check to see when the tax-free weekend might be occurring in the state where you live — if you have one — and that can also help you save substantially, especially if you time that with other back-to-school sales."
Using a cash-back credit card to earn money back or collect points toward a future purchase is another option. Involving children in the shopping process can also serve as a real-life lesson in budgeting and saving.
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