The good news is the recent tariffs really haven't been a factor so far when it comes to school supplies. If you're looking for electronics, like computers, you may find that prices are actually a little lower.
Experts say you should still shop around and take advantage of any discounts and sales. Don't forget to take advantage of credit card rewards, too.
Even though your children are in college, include them in the shopping process.
"Share the budget with them, use this as a teaching tool," said Ted Rossman, a senior industry analyst at Bankrate who specializes in credit cards. "This can be a way to build financial literacy, become a smarter shopper, teach them about price comparisons and tradeoffs. If they want to splurge in one area, they have to cut back in another area. This can be a teachable moment."
Also, don't be afraid to repurpose and reuse. Go through your home and check for the things you already have that you can utilize again.
Back-to-school shopping trends
According to marketing research firm NielsenIQ, 53% of shoppers are parents.
How much are parents spending on back-to-school shopping this year amid tariffs?
The other 47 % are grandparents and teenagers shopping for themselves.
Most shoppers got an early start, too. Data shows 72% of them started shopping two months ago.
How much are they spending? Well, the older the student, the bigger the bill.
One in three shoppers are spending between $200 to $500, and while online shopping continues to gain ground, about 57% of shoppers still head to physical stores.
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