The smell of fresh pencils and the thrill of a brand-new backpack used to mark the start of the school year. Today, for millions of parents, that same season carries a different scent one of stress and tough decisions. A recent survey from Intuit Credit Karma found that 54% of parents are cutting back on essentials like groceries to afford school supplies. Nearly four in ten say those supplies feel out of reach entirely, and almost half expect to take on debt just to prepare their children for the first day.
This isn’t about buying the “nice-to-haves.” It’s about whether the fridge stays full or the backpack does. Rising prices on basics, new technology requirements, and schools shifting more costs onto families have made August one of the most financially demanding months of the year second only to the holidays for many households. The numbers tell one part of the story; the trade-offs families are making tell the rest.
The Current Financial Reality for Parents
For many families, back-to-school shopping has become a budgeting exercise that starts with subtraction cutting back on groceries, delaying bill payments, or dipping into emergency savings. Surveys show this strain is neither rare nor temporary. According to Intuit Credit Karma, 54% of parents with school-aged children say they will reduce spending on necessities just to cover school supplies. For 39%, even those scaled-back plans may not be enough, with basic supplies still out of reach.
Debt is filling the gap. Forty-four percent of parents expect to use credit cards, “buy now, pay later” services, or other loans to prepare their children for school. A significant share 16% in one survey anticipate taking on as much as $1,000 in debt. Younger parents are under the greatest pressure: 60% of Gen Z and 56% of millennial parents say they will sacrifice essentials this season, compared with lower rates among older parents. Many enter August already stretched thin from summer childcare costs, leaving little room for the extra expense.
The price of preparation has climbed steadily. Between 2019 and 2025, the cost of common school supplies rose about 20%, with backpacks increasing by 30%. Deloitte estimates families will spend an average of $570 per child this year; the National Retail Federation puts that figure closer to $858. In high-cost states like New York, Florida, and California, the average exceeds $1,000. Multiply that by two or three children, and the math quickly explains why debt has become routine.
While inflation has slowed from recent peaks, prices remain high due to ongoing tariffs on imported goods and the steady shift of costs from schools to families. Two-thirds of parents report feeling a heavier financial load than in previous years, sometimes being asked to purchase classroom-wide supplies in addition to their child’s individual list. For many, the back-to-school season now rivals the holidays as the most expensive time of year but without the months of advance planning or savings that the holidays often get.
What’s Driving Back-to-School Costs Higher
The rising cost of back-to-school season isn’t the result of one factor it’s the convergence of several long-running economic and social trends that have been steadily pushing prices upward.
Price increases on essentials
Between 2019 and 2025, the price of school supplies rose by roughly 20%, with backpacks alone jumping 30%. Even as overall inflation has eased from its pandemic-era highs, the prices of goods that parents shop for in August pens, notebooks, glue sticks, calculators remain stubbornly high. Tariffs on imported goods have added to these costs, with many retailers passing the increase directly to consumers.
Schools shifting costs to families
Budget cuts and resource gaps mean more schools now ask parents to supply not only their child’s items but also communal classroom materials such as tissues, cleaning wipes, and art supplies. Sixty-seven percent of parents say they feel a heavier financial load than in past years, and some report being responsible for purchases meant for the entire class.
Technology as a requirement, not a luxury
Digital learning tools are no longer optional in many classrooms. Laptops, tablets, headphones, and chargers can add hundreds of dollars to a family’s expenses. While some districts provide devices, many do not and even in cases where schools issue equipment, parents often must pay for repairs, replacements, or software.
Social and cultural pressures
The rise of TikTok, Instagram, and other social platforms has expanded the list of “must-have” items beyond the basic supply list. Branded backpacks, designer water bottles, and trending sneakers often become status symbols. Nearly half of surveyed parents say their children request non-essential items they’ve seen online, and many admit they stretch their budgets to avoid their child feeling left out.
Year-round financial strain
Parents often hit the back-to-school season already financially drained from summer childcare, rising housing costs, and increased grocery prices. The sudden spike in expenses each August feels heavier when layered on top of those year-round pressures.
Beyond Pencils and Paper: Hidden and Ongoing Expenses
For many parents, the back-to-school shopping list is just the starting point. The real financial impact stretches far beyond notebooks, pens, and glue sticks and it continues well after the first day of class.
Clothing and accessories
Surveys from Deloitte and the National Retail Federation consistently show that clothing and accessories often surpass traditional supplies in total spending. About 41% to 44% of parents say this category will be their largest expense. Seasonal changes, growth spurts, and social trends push clothing costs higher, and social media accelerates the cycle with constantly shifting “must-have” looks. Sneakers, branded hoodies, and even specific styles of backpacks can quickly become non-negotiables for kids who want to fit in.
Technology requirements
The push toward digital learning has made laptops, tablets, and headphones part of the modern classroom toolkit. When schools do not provide these devices, parents face hundreds of dollars in extra costs sometimes with little notice. Even when a device is issued by the school, families may be responsible for accessories, repairs, or replacement fees.
Extracurricular activities
Sports, music, clubs, and other after-school programs carry their own expenses, from uniforms and equipment to participation fees. Nearly half of parents say they struggle to afford these programs, and a third are willing to take on debt to keep their children enrolled. For working parents, after-school programs can also double as childcare, meaning the inability to afford them can force reductions in work hours or job changes.
Food and daily supplies
The start of the school year also brings higher grocery bills, with lunches, snacks, and quick weeknight dinners adding to household costs. Some parents count these expenses as part of their back-to-school budget, especially when buying in bulk to prepare for the busy months ahead.
Year-round expenses
The financial demands don’t stop once the backpack is packed. Field trips, science projects, seasonal sports, and replacement supplies throughout the year all add up. According to an Empower survey, 62% of parents say school supplies and books remain a top ongoing expense, second only to groceries.
Sacrifices Parents Are Making
Behind every receipt and shopping list is a series of trade-offs that rarely make headlines. Surveys reveal that 54% of parents will cut back on essentials groceries, utilities, or other basic household needs to ensure their children start the school year prepared. For some, this means skipping fresh produce or reducing meal variety; for others, it’s delaying bill payments or pulling from savings set aside for emergencies or retirement.
The sacrifices are often greatest among younger parents. Sixty percent of Gen Z and 56% of millennial parents say they are giving up necessities this season. Many already feel financially depleted from summer childcare costs, leaving little flexibility when August arrives.
The cuts extend beyond basic needs. Families report giving up vacations, dining out, or hobbies to redirect funds toward school expenses. Some parents take on extra shifts, side jobs, or freelance work, reducing their own downtime to cover the gap.
Debt is another common trade-off. Forty-four percent of parents expect to rely on credit cards or “buy now, pay later” programs, with some willing to incur $1,000 or more in school-related debt. For households that repeat this cycle each year, the financial strain compounds over time.
The emotional cost is harder to measure but just as significant. Parents describe guilt when they can’t fulfill a child’s supply list exactly, frustration at saying “no” to items that might help their child socially or academically, and anxiety over whether these limits will affect their child’s opportunities. These are quiet sacrifices, made daily, often without acknowledgment but they shape both family finances and family life.
How Parents Are Stretching Their Budgets
Faced with rising prices and limited income, many families are responding with strategy and creativity rather than resignation. Surveys show that parents are using a mix of timing, resourcefulness, and community networks to keep costs in check.
Shopping early and timing purchases
Sales events like Amazon Prime Day, summer clearance sales, and tax-free weekends have become key parts of the back-to-school calendar. More than half of parents planned their shopping around such events this year to secure discounts before potential price hikes. Some continue buying supplies throughout the year whenever they spot a good deal, ensuring they’re stocked for future needs.
Turning to secondhand options
Hand-me-downs, thrift stores, and online resale platforms are no longer viewed as last resorts. One-third of parents rely on borrowed or donated items, and many actively seek quality used clothing, backpacks, and even electronics to avoid paying full retail.
Pooling resources
Group buying has gained traction, with over half of parents open to purchasing supplies in bulk with friends or neighbors and splitting the cost. Items like pens, art supplies, and notebooks are especially popular for cost-sharing.
Prioritizing needs over wants
Many families now go through closets and supply bins before making purchases, reusing last year’s materials where possible. Seasonal clothing is sometimes postponed until it’s actually needed, spreading out costs over several months.
Leveraging discounts and tech tools
Two-thirds of parents use coupons, promo codes, or cashback tools when shopping, and nearly half compare prices across multiple stores before committing to a purchase. Extreme couponing, while less common, still plays a role for some families determined to maximize savings.
Teaching kids about money
Financial advocates encourage parents to make back-to-school season a teachable moment. Age-appropriate discussions about budgeting, trade-offs, and distinguishing between needs and wants can help set realistic expectations and build money skills that last well beyond the school year.
What Needs to Change: From Individual Struggles to Systemic Solutions
Parents’ resourcefulness is commendable, but it should not be the primary solution to a structural problem. The reality is that back-to-school costs have outpaced wage growth, and the shift of expenses from schools to households has left families covering what used to be basic educational provisions. Addressing this requires more than clever budgeting it calls for changes in policy, school funding, and community support.
Increase and protect school funding
Public school budgets often struggle to cover classroom basics, leading to supply lists that include items for communal use. Stronger, more consistent funding could reduce or eliminate the need for parents to fill these gaps. This may require advocacy at the local and state level to prioritize education in budget decisions.
Expand community-based support
School supply drives, nonprofit programs, and mutual aid efforts can make an immediate difference for families in need. Partnerships between local businesses, community organizations, and schools can help provide essentials from notebooks to laptops without adding to household debt.
Leverage tax relief and targeted assistance
More states are introducing tax-free shopping weekends and back-to-school tax holidays. Expanding these programs, especially in high-cost states, can help families keep more money in their pockets. Additionally, targeted subsidies or voucher programs for low- and middle-income households could offset expenses for technology, clothing, and extracurricular activities.
Address the role of consumer marketing
Social media and brand marketing amplify pressure on families to buy items beyond the essentials. Schools and parent associations can work together to set clear, reasonable supply expectations, and encourage choices that focus on function over brand name.
Advocate for fair trade policies
Tariffs and other trade measures that raise prices on imported goods have a direct impact on school supply costs. Public awareness and engagement on these policy issues can push lawmakers to consider family affordability when making trade decisions.
Building a Future Where No Parent Has to Choose
The numbers are stark: more than half of parents are sacrificing essentials so their children can start school prepared. These decisions come at a cost far greater than dollars they affect nutrition, mental health, and the opportunities children have both inside and outside the classroom.
But this is not an unsolvable problem. Communities can close the gap by supporting supply drives, sharing resources, and advocating for fair funding in schools. Policymakers can help by reducing cost burdens, expanding access to tax relief, and ensuring classrooms are stocked without relying on parents’ wallets. And on a personal level, parents can continue teaching their children the value of budgeting and the difference between needs and wants, shaping a generation that’s financially informed and resilient.
A child’s education should never compete with a family’s ability to put food on the table. If we want future school years to begin with excitement instead of anxiety, we need to treat this as a shared responsibility — one that demands action from all of us.
