Back-to-school savings tips for every family


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Discover easy tips to save on back-to-school shopping. Make a budget, find deals and shop smarter to keep your costs low.

Three things to know:

  • Set a smart budget to use as a guide. A well-planned budget can help you stay on track and avoid overspending. 

  • Shop strategically with rewards programs, online deals, dollar stores and more. 

  • Utilize a debit card to stay on budget, or a credit card to maximize your rewards for the future. 

Back-to-school shopping means something different to everyone. And let’s face it – the scramble to get the right kind of binder, pencil and calculator can be stressful, exhausting and costly.

Luckily, you’ve got what it takes to earn that A+ in school shopping. Get started by building out your budget and looking for smart, savvy ways to save. In no time you'll have tackled that list, kept to your budget, and be ready to enjoy the rest of summer.

How do I make my school supply budget?

A well-thought-out budget is like a north star; think of it as your helpful guide for making smart decisions as you shop. To build your budget, you first need to understand what to buy and how much money you can spend.

Most schools will send a list of supplies over the summer so you can start planning. Sit down with the list and think about which items you already have, what you need to purchase, and anything you want to purchase that’s not on the list (like extra school clothes or sports gear).

If you haven’t done a budget before, we’ve got tips to help you find a budget strategy that works for you. You can also review your spending in the U.S. Bank mobile app for insights into your spending categories. Look for wiggle room in your budget or plan for expenses – like streaming services or eating out – that you could cut back if needed. 

Want to shop before the list arrives? These ideas can help you build your own list.

  • Look for PTA or parent pages on social channels, like Facebook, where you can check through photos and posts from prior years to see shopping lists.
  • Check out the school’s website for last year’s list
  • Some stores get copies of lists from the local schools that they share. Even though the list might vary slightly year-to-year, using a previous year’s list will give you a base to start with.
  • Start with the staples that don’t seem to change: pencils, erasers, highlighters, folders and tissues.

How can I save on school supplies?

While it’s tempting to get all new things, sometimes it’s just not in the budget, especially if you’re buying for more than one kid. Try finding clever ways to reuse items and make them fun – simply adding some stickers to last year’s water bottle or lunch box can offer a new look.

If you are buying new, these tips can help you find savings:

  • Download the store app - First-time app users often get discounts and coupons just for signing up. Some stores will even give back a percentage of what you spend to the school and/or the teacher. Loyalty programs at stores will help if you need to replenish anything during the year, or if, when you get the actual list, you need to add some items
  • Consider dollar stores - Certain items – like pens, pencils and notebooks – can be found at the dollar store. A number 2 pencil is a number 2 pencil no matter where you buy it.
  • Think beyond your regular stores - Try stores that aren’t necessarily known for school supplies, like hardware stores, outdoor or home decorating stores. You might get a better deal and a chance to stock up.
  • Buy in bulk - Warehouse club stores sell supplies in bulk and that means spending less to get more. Grab some friends and go shopping together or stock up for multiple kids.

Should I buy my school supplies online?

Sometimes getting to the store is more of a hassle than shopping itself. In that case, take advantage of deals you get online and have the items shipped to you, shipped somewhere else, or arrange for curbside pick-up.

Reasons to shop online:

  • Deals - Online deals can help you stretch your budget further and take the stress out of shopping. Sign up for deals and take advantage of instant coupons.
  • Comparison shopping – Checking the price against other brands and stores is easy – even fun - when you’re shopping online, relaxing on your couch.
  • Flexibility - If you’re starting your shopping later in the summer or just don’t want to store a ton of extra supplies, you can easily space out your online purchases or set reminders to buy more throughout the year. 

College kid? If your kid is heading to another state for college, shipping their school supplies and decor to their dorm means not having to play Tetris in the car. Even better, if you can send items to a nearby store for pick up, you’ll waive the shipping completely.

Should I use my debit or credit card for supplies?

Debit cards can help you stay on budget, but credit cards may provide more cash back and rewards. If you’re concerned about overspending, a debit card, is probably the better choice because it will take money out of your checking account immediately – and stop you from making purchases with money you don’t have.

Alternatively, if your child has a Greenlight debit card, you can fund a designated amount of money on their card, give them a list, and let them buy what they need. This is a great way to teach your older child smart spending habits while letting them pick the colors and styles of their supplies. 

Bonus! Greenlight is complimentary with a Bank Smartly® checking account.1  

A credit card, on the other hand, may take the sting out of spending – why? Because, if managed well, you could get cash or other rewards back for future purchases. If you have a cash back card with spending categories, make sure you’re setting it up to maximize your return. Consider choosing a specific retailer or a category like department stores.

Another way to help your pocketbook is by using a credit card with travel rewards. If you earn enough points, that can help you book an airline ticket or a rental car for the next time you travel to visit your child in college, or to help offset expenses when you take the family on a trip over spring break.

Compare credit cards to find the best cash back or rewards options for you.

 

Looking for next steps? Learn how the mobile app can help you budget and save.

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Editor’s Note: The content of this article is accurate as of publication on August 6, 2025, and may have changed. For the latest product information, refer to the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking product page.

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  1. U.S. Bank customers are eligible to receive the Greenlight Select plan complimentary when an eligible U.S. Bank checking account (excludes Safe Debit and Electronic Transfer accounts) is added as a funding source. You are required to be an authorized transactor on the U.S. Bank account, be at least 18 years of age, and be enrolled in online banking. Your U.S. Bank checking account(s) must be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account for the entirety of the partnership. If your U.S. Bank checking account(s) cease to be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account or you add a funding source that is not an eligible U.S. Bank checking account, you may be charged a monthly fee by Greenlight. In-app upgrades will result in additional fees. Subject to Greenlight identity verification. See greenlight.com/terms for additional information. Offer subject to change. Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), Member FDIC. The Greenlight Mastercard is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.

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Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rate and program terms are subject to change without notice. Mortgage, Home Equity and Credit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.