How Much Do You Spend on Back to School? Share & Enter to Win a $50 Target Gift Card!
Enter our Hip2Save’s Engaged Reader Monthly Giveaway and share how much you typically spend on back-to-school shopping.
Hey, Hip community! 👋🏻
In case you missed it, we recently started a new monthly reader giveaway where we celebrate & reward our most engaged readers! Every month, an unannounced surprise blog post will go live to spark some discussion in the comments.
July is nearly over, and with back to school on the horizon, we’re thrilled to announce our next Engaged Reader Monthly Giveaway below as we talk all things back to school spending! 🍎
We want to hear from you!
🚨 Engaged Reader Monthly Giveaway Question:
How much do you typically spend on back-to-school shopping [per child] — think supplies, clothes, & other school necessities. Has it changed over the years?
Share by putting your comment below about how you spend on back-to-school shopping for our Hip community to read.
By leaving a comment about your school supply budget, you’re entering to win a $50 Target Gift Card!
We know back-to-school shopping can put a serious dent in your wallet, especially these days with prices climbing on just about everything.
That’s why we’re so excited to pick TWO lucky winners a chance to win a Target gift card! 🎯 Just be sure to leave a comment below, and you’ll be entered to win a $50 Target gift card!
Whether it helps cover the cost of school supplies, lunchbox snacks, or a fresh first-day outfit, we hope this little extra cash brings some relief during one of the busiest (and most expensive) times of the year. 💸✏️👟
How to Enter:
- Comment below: Share how much you typically spend on back-to-school shopping [per child]. And has it changed over the years?
- Duration: The commenting entry period starts on Wednesday, 7/23/25 at 7 AM MT and ends on Friday, 7/25/25 at 6:59 AM MT.
- Eligibility: All approved comments within the entry period are eligible.
Winner Notifications:
Winners will be contacted via email at the email address associated with their Hip2Save account or the email used when leaving their comments. You do not need to include your email address within your comment. All giveaway correspondence will come from our giveaway team at giveaways@hip2save.com.
Here’s what our Hip team shared about how much they spend on back-to-school shopping & how it’s changed over the years:
“I don’t usually go into back-to-school shopping with a set budget since each of my kids has different needs at their different ages – this year I’ll have one in high school, one in middle school, and one in elementary school, so they’re always drastically different. I do make sure to shop at bigger box stores for affordable essentials, and thankfully, their North Face backpacks have held up so great over the years, I haven’t had to replace them yet!
For clothes, I mostly buy secondhand throughout the year, but I started a tradition 5 years ago where I take each of them to pick out one brand-new outfit before the first day, and they get to pick the store. I try to limit it to $100 per kiddo since name-brand pieces can add up quickly when you’re looking for a head-to-toe outfit. They all love it so much, and it makes their first day feel extra special, so it’s worth the one-time splurge to me.” – Sara
“I don’t set a budget, but I always shop sales and focus on essentials. As my kids got older, I spent less on supplies and more on clothes, aside from a good calculator. A quality backpack like Jansport lasts for years.
Early in the school year, I stick to basics: a few new tees, sweatshirts, and shoes since they can layer into fall. I shop outlets, TJMaxx, and discount stores for the best deals. For middle and high school, I wait to buy most supplies until classes start, since many use Chromebooks. When they were younger, I’d start earlier and shop Walmart and Dollar Tree to keep costs low.” – Amber
“I never kept track, but one thing I did to save money was to buy a lot when the school supplies started to hit the clearance section (especially Target). I would buy a ton to donate to the school and keep in a box for us to pull from throughout the school year.” – Angela
“I’m right there with Angela! I don’t necessarily have a set amount, I just make sure to shop around and throughout the year, if I see great deals, I buy them and store them to have in excess. I always price compare, sometimes I build the exact same cart at multiple retailers to find the best price points based on what Ava needs that year.
For things like clothing or shoes, I tend to only buy replacements or things she needs more of, new sizes, etc., and now I buy most of her shoes from Walmart lol. They are so cute and you can’t beat the prices! (especially when she hits a growth spurt every couple of months)” – Monica
“Back-to-school spending has definitely gotten more expensive for me over the years. When they were little, I could just buy everything for them, but now they each have their own style and, of course, are into name brands. I feel like we spend about double what we used to spend when the boys were in elementary school.
We actually went back to school shopping last weekend with all our boys (we’ve got three boys in high school now heading into 9th, 10th, & 12th grade). We still have a few things to pick up, but after we get those items, we will have spent about $350-400 per kid.
A breakdown of where that money went per kid:
- Shoes ($75-$100)
- Backpack & School supplies ($50-$75ish)
- New socks, underwear, and belt ($50-$75ish)
- Clothes (3-4 pairs of jeans, 3-4 pairs of athletic shorts, 5 new tees, & hoodie) $200ish
We spent a lot this year, but this is usually our big clothes shopping trip of the year for the boys. The rest of the year, we just get things randomly when we find them on sale/thrifting. I do feel like we got some really great deals (most items at 50% off or more). We shopped at discount stores like TJ Maxx & Marshalls first, then hit up a local Outlet Mall where we ended up getting a majority of things that way they could still shop their name brands they love, but we could save.” – Liz
“I no longer have kids in school (first year for that), but I will say I never really kept track or set a budget either. Mostly because when my daughter attended in-person learning, she went to a Catholic school and they required a specific uniform that could only be purchased through a company the school approved.
One way we saved money on uniforms was that our school runs a resale shop, and parents would donate uniforms that their kids had outgrown, and they sold them super cheaply. I saved money by purchasing 90% of my daughter’s clothes there and would then donate the uniforms she outgrew from the previous year. She always gets to pick out new shoes and a backpack, and I didn’t set a limit since those were the only things she could “wear” that expressed her own style.
She had a backpack from Vera Bradley that I bought on their discount site for years, and it held up so nicely that it still looks brand new, and she often uses it for vacations. The school also provided each student with a MacBook, so other than a notebook and pens/pencils, we really didn’t need any other supplies. I will say that her last year of high school was the best because she did online learning and didn’t need any supplies other than her laptop!” – Trish
We can’t wait to hear all about your back-to-school spending habits and kick off the start of another great school year with our amazing community!
Happy back-to-school from all of us at Hip2Save! ☀️ We love and appreciate you all. 💕
We have 4 kids, 1 high school, 1 middle school and 2 elementary. School supplies tend to be around $50 per kid (not including graphing calculators) and then shoes and clothes can be anywhere between $75-$150 per kid depending on needs. This year we have to budget and only get essentials, but they for sure will get new shoes and basics.
I have 3 kiddos. 2 in high school. Clothes/shoes is a few hundred dollars for each kid. School supplies is around 50-100 per kid. Even though I would much rather them be home with me all day as I’ll miss them being in school! 😢
I really don’t know how much I spend per kid, it always varies, I always shop sales and clearance as I can but this year I am extremely busy with work and newly disabled husband. This year I will be buying for 6 kiddos, between clothes, shoes and supplies, I will try to get good deals is all I can say!
With three kids, I try to buy in bulk when sales are posted. Since I’m also a teacher, I take advantage of target’s 20% off for teachers. If there’s something can’t find at target, buying in bulk from Amazon helps stock the supply box for next year. On school supplies only, I’m spending around $200 (with a few supplies from the supply box from last year).
We try and get all the supplies needed from the teachers that my teens need. This varies by year.
Backpacks- if they last a school year, that’s amazing. The last one lasted my youngest -2 school years.
They get shoes as needed. We usually get clothing as needed. They needed new sneakers in May..so for right now they should be alright – until or unless they get a growth spurt!
When they were toddlers – I always shopped a season ahead. I shopped a size ahead. It’s not that easy now.
As a teacher, way too much. I do love the teacher discounts offered though.
I have a 12 year old going into jr high. Lucky for me he’s never been picky and lets me just choose what I think is nice for him. I don’t necessarily have a budget like my mom used to do for us.. I just make sure I get the essentials. New shoes, new backpack, school supplies.. then I make sure he has a few nice sweatshirts, and a couple outfits. I usually wait till it gets cooler to get a winter jacket if the prior years does not fit. I have this thing where over the year, whatever he grows out of I replace one piece at a time so I don’t have to worry about it all at once.
I’m probably gearing to spend over $100 for my kids. Plus I’m a teacher so who knows!!
One in elementary and one in middle school. Reusing backpacks this year and about $60-$75 on supplies.
My oldest graduated last year; so I only have one to shop for. Shoes and a new purse was $100, clothes $150 but she didn’t need much. Stocking up in past years supplies has saved me a bundle and less than $50 on supplies.
I have only one child in school now but I would say at least $200 per child. My kids went to schools that had a uniform policy until 8th grade. I would shop at old Navy sales for uniforms and hand down stuff from my oldest. Backpacks were reused until they broke or got holes. Supplies were bought during sales from Walgreens, target and Walmart.
Around $20! My son goes to a private micro school where other supplies are included in tuition cost.
Probably around $250- $300 including all supplies. I shop sales throughout the summer to spread out the expense.
Each of 3 kids gets about $150 spent for back to school shopping. Usually we reuse backpacks and supplies from the previous years unless it needs replaced. And they get a new shirt or shoes for the 1st day. The rest of the year we shop on sales and clearance and if we find stuff that will fit for back to school we will just put it up til then.
I spend less than a $100. Shoes and a few supplies we don’t already have
About $10 for donations!
Teacher and mom here. I would say $100 per my own kid and another $100 for my classroom 😬.
I have two girls and a boy. It varies by the school year, and I search for deals all summer to get the items needed.
This year I have a daughter starting high school and a daughter starting middle school. They want specific shoes, clothes, backpacks and school supplies. They are the highest maintenance at a couple hundred each. My son is in elementary school and is easy, just needs Crocs and a few clothes. Maybe this year I can get something for myself as I am teacher too😜!
Each year gets a little more expensive. Right now on supplies between $20-30 and clothes, etc about $200. I use KidtoKid which helps save me a lot of money. Sadly, I know he’ll grow out of that resale store in the years to come and back to school will be MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE 😔
Around $25 to $50 per child. Clothes are mainly hand me downs so no expenses there.
We run about $50 per kid. This year I’ll have a 11th grader, and a 1st grader. I try to buy stuff when it’s on sale at the beginning of the year, so that I can refill as the year goes on as needed – especially with lined paper and crayons. I’m always buy whatever the teacher wants (brands included). As a former daycare director, I know that certain brands just work better!
I am a middle school teacher. My son is grown, so I just shop for my class. That being said, I usually spend $300-$500 on stuff for my class at the beginning of the year. I also buy throughout the year to replace things.
No set budget but this is the first year I’m allowing just a few new things before school and then more later. Because a new to middle school sixth grade girl is going to want what everyone else is wearing and won’t know what that is until school starts lol! 😆
I typically spend about $30 for school supplies. Probably another $50 on clothes. And $100 on shoes. So maybe $200
$20 dollars or so for donations.
It really all depends on what’s needed each year. New shoes alone usually cost an average of $60-70/kid. We try to spread it out a little by buying necessities and 2-3 new outfits at the beginning of the year, because we inevitably need more come winter.
I have 5 kids, four that are school age and a baby. We are a single income family and often think outside of the box on spending with traditional things like this.
We often thrift throughout the year when our kids need something and they’ve learned to enjoy the thrill of the hunt of finding just the right thing at a bargain price. And you’d be shocked what nice brands that are current trends you can find!
I still like to make back to school fun, so each kid gets a new pair of everyday shoes, an outfit and a few surprises like snacks or pens that I fill their backpacks with and we have a special dinner the night before school starts when they get to open their backpack and finally get to wear that one new outfit they intentionally chose and see the little surprises.
That said—the budget is a little bigger for the teens who are into certain brands than the two younger kids who are happy with Old Navy or Target finds. All together it’s about $300 total for the four kids and takes the strain off to buy a new wardrobe for everybody at school time while still making it a fun celebration.
Now that I only have one kid left in school I spend about $25 in supplies for the year and invest in a good quality backback for $45-$75.
We spend about $100 on supplies and $150-$200 on clothes and shoes
$300 for each of my kids but then spend even more for my classroom for what we need each year.
This is my biggest cost of the entire year (for my budget). Shoes ($75-$100)
Backpack & School supplies ($75-$100)
New undergarments ($50-$75ish)
Clothes (3-4 pairs of athletic shorts, 5 new tees, a hoodie, & a package of socks) $200ish. I try to reuse whatever we have from previous years & my girls are starting to be able to share clothes. This is the only time of year I buy clothes. We have two seasons, hot & hotter. I try to stock up on school supplies when they are on sale. My guess is that I’ll spend about the same amount (or more) compared to previous school years & get less this year because of inflation.
I spend about $50ish per child, but it changes based on what we need. I have most of the school supplies from buying in bulk in past years, so I usually don’t have to buy more basics. If a lunch box is needed, or a backpack, it may go up. There isn’t really a school clothing shopping with my kids, we buy what they need throughout the year.
I buy school supplies for Operation Shoebox every year. I like to sponsor/bless two of the older kids, one boy/girl each year. I don’t spend too much, because I shop early back to school specials, usually at Officemax/Officedepot or Staples in June. You order online and pick up in the store. I buy two of everything. Always save lots of money, but I have bought from Target in the past. Their non-name brand saves lots of money too. It would be nice to be able to buy some extras for their boxes. I end up spending a lot more on the other items needed.
Clothes are the most expensive thing for my kids. I get them what they want as long as it lasts. I always shop the sales throughout the school year so I feel like all of the actual pens, pencils, computers, paper, etc… are the best price. I tend to hoard so I’m always prepared. The Hip2Save checklist has been used many times! I can get by with $100 for my household and shopping all the sales.
My nieces are at the age where they are growing pretty consistently. For school supplies, both of their needs are different and with school funding not being what it used to, family help purchase supplies for the class throughout the year. Generally I stick to $50 for both kids as well as a budget for $100 for class supplies. For clothing $100-$200 for both girls at start of the year. Shoes are about $100 for each kid, one sandal and walking shoes. Backpack is about $30-45 each.
We have a first grader and preschooler. We buy clothes throughout the year since they grow so fast and we are waiting for preschool supply list but so far we’ve spent about $100 in just school supplies for the first grader. They are very specific with brands, we supply classroom cleaning supplies, and require two new headphones.
Not as much anymore, but when they were both in school, it was around $200 per kid!
I don’t have a set budget. I buy what is needed and that is on sale. Most of the deals I find are on hip2save, thank you!
You’re welcome, Jennifer! 🥰 We’re thrilled to hear the deals are helpful for scoring on back-to-school essentials!
Usually just buy school supplies to start with, about $30. then as the year goes on add to their wardrobe.
Another teacher here. I agree with my fellow teachers remarks of “way too much”.
High schooler: Their list leans tech-heavy — graphing calculator and laptop. Throw in trendier clothes and sports fees, and I am looking at closer to $800+. Tips on how I Save:
Shop secondhand for clothes or supplies usually local thrift stores or apps like ThredUp. I use cashback apps like Rakuten and Ibotta for extra rewards. I wait for deals and bundle tech with student discounts.
Have $200 in school fees and will probably spend $40 on supplies at Target and around $100 on a pair of shoes. This is more fees then when my son was in elementary. The deals on supplies used to be better then and more supplies were needed but I spent less.
We will probably spend around $200 on our youngest between supplies and new clothes/shoes. Our oldest wears a uniform so that helps.
Buying for grandkids this year so probably around $100 per kid. School supplies picked up during the year and saved. Things have gotten much more expensive.
Homeschooling family here! It varies between 200-800+ per student, but includes text books.
When my two nieces started school, I told them I’d buy their school supplies for them every year. Paper, crayons, notebooks, whatever. So it’s varied over the years, and definitely the supplies they needed changed as they got older. I’m not rolling in dough, but I believe kids need to be enthusiastically supported in their educations, so I was always happy to do it. One year, I won a $50 Staples gift card from a silly Cap’n Crunch contest, and we used that to buy some of their supplies, which was really great. I never really bothered to tally it up; I could afford to get them what they needed, but that $50 was a big help!
When my youngest niece started kindergarten, somehow the supplies list had gotten misplaced, so we just went and got whatever things I thought she’d need. She insisted she needed a 3-ring binder with a fluffy white kitty on the front. When the list was located, her mom said, “Oh, I guess you don’t really need a binder after all.”
With a quavering voice, the little one said, “Does that mean Auntie Neenie has to take back my kitty binder?!?” Good gracious, no, child! I’d never take back your binder! Love my girlies to the moon and back!
About $100 with uniforms and supplies.
I only have 1 child and she’s still in elementary school. We reuse expensive items, like headphones, from year to year along with other items like scissors. For the new stuff I need to buy for her and the classroom from her list the school provides, I usually end up spending about $35 for everything. I always buy the items when they are on sale at Target so I score great deals!
We really don’t have a set amount but just buy what they need. It is so expensive so we watch for sales to save as much as we can. Hip2save really helps us stretch our $ and get what they need for the least amount possible!🤞
~ $220.00 before school starts and then see if he needs anything after his first week. High School doesn’t have a standard supply list.