Stretch School Dollars Without Sacrificing

Plan smart, shop savvy and manage costs without busting the budget

Photo by Kevin Britos on Unsplash

Back-to-school shopping can be a financial gut punch — prices have risen by 23 percent since 2019, according to the National Retail Federation.

Families juggling rent, food and debt can still manage the season with less stress by planning early, prioritizing needs and getting kids involved. Experts and parents shared their best tips to cut costs, avoid debt and make every dollar count.

Jaimi Erickson, founder of the Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide, emphasizes the importance of building a budget that’s both realistic and achievable. “Make a budget to track your monthly income and expenses,” she advises, adding that a free budget template can help get started.

Parents Short of Money Struggle to Meet Needs for School

She wrote, “A Parent’s Guide to School Choice: All the school choice options you DO have,” available for free with Kindle Unlimited.

After school choice comes going back to school. So, Erickson teamed with money experts at Experian, a consumer credit reporting company, to discuss back-to-school budgeting with tips to beat high inflation.