Let’s talk about back-to-school budgets. This year, I wasn’t 100% sure what our final number would be, but I aimed for around $500 if possible. In my head, I figured the kids would need the usual: new backpacks, clothing, and shoes. Spoiler alert: I was right. They needed all of those things!
Thankfully, we were already stocked up on most basic school supplies—paper, pens, pencils—so that was one expense we didn’t have to worry about.
Tax-Free Weekend Adventures
We decided to shop during tax-free weekend, thinking it would help save a little money. And while it did, let me tell you—it was crazy busy! Honestly, next time I might just pay the tax to avoid the crowds, but I will say this: it was nice letting the kids pick out their clothes and shoes in person.
In the end, we spent about $650 this year, a little over my original $500 goal. And that doesn’t even include the $40-per-student registration fees, ROTC fees, senior fees, or any of those extra costs that come with school clubs.
Finding Joy in the Process
Even though we went over a bit, I feel like we saved in some areas and stuck to the budget as much as possible. Back-to-school season is always exciting—it’s all about new beginnings, fresh supplies, and fun shopping trips. Honestly, I even get tempted by all the office supplies! I didn’t splurge too much, but I did treat myself to a new pair of lounging pants. Totally worth it.
Counting Our Blessings
The biggest takeaway? We are blessed to be able to provide these things for our family. On top of school shopping, we also stocked up on essentials from BJs, Costco, and the grocery store—including plenty of snacks because kids are always hungrier during the school year.
If you’ve already finished your back-to-school shopping, I hope it went smoothly! And if you haven’t started yet, have fun with it—make it an experience, not just a chore.
Now, I want to hear from you:
💬 Do you set a back-to-school budget? How much do you usually spend? Drop your tips and tricks in the comments—I’d love to learn how you make it work!