Back to School Savings – Tips & Tricks

Getting ready for a new school year can be an exciting and overwhelming time. Between endless supply lists, new clothes, and tech upgrades, back-to-school costs can quickly strain your budget. 

Luckily, managing high back-to-school expenses doesn’t have to disrupt your family’s financial goals. By combining smart shopping strategies with hands-on financial education tools, you can lower your upfront expenses while teaching your kids lifelong money management skills.

How can parents save on back-to-school shopping?

You can maximize back-to-school savings by:

• Shopping during state Tax-Free Weekends or Tax Holidays.
• Taking inventory to reuse prior year supplies.
• Utilizing retailer price-matching policies.
• Opening a youth account or student checking account to teach budget management early.

Smart Back-to-School Savings Strategies

Here are practical, proven strategies for maximizing your back-to-school savings this season.

Tax-Free Weekends for Back-to-School Shopping

One of the most effective strategies for instant savings is timing your shopping around local state tax holidays. Shopping during a tax-free weekend allows families to bypass state sales tax on qualifying purchases like clothes, footwear, backpacks, and basic classroom supplies.

Before heading out, review your local tax guidelines and official state schedules:

• Missouri: Missouri’s Tax-Free Weekend is August 7-9, 2026. Learn about qualifying items and exemption limits on the Missouri Department of Revenue Sales Tax Holiday FAQ.
• Illinois: The Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is from August 7-16, 2026. Check updated state tax reduction guidance at the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Reusing Supplies to Reduce Back-to-School Costs

Before making a store run, look through your inventory at home. Search backpacks, desk drawers, and closets from the previous year. Durable items like scissors, rulers, binders, calculators, and lightly used notebooks can be reused. 

Reusing supplies not only lowers your receipt total, but it also teaches children sustainability and mindful spending habits.

Price Matching Back-to-School Supplies

Don’t assume one store offers the lowest price across every item on your teacher’s supply list. 

Many major retail chains offer price matching on back-to-school supplies if you present proof of a lower advertised price from a competitor. Use mobile shopping apps or store circulars to compare prices before checking out.

Building Smart Money Habits with Youth & Student Accounts

Back-to-school season provides a natural transition point to introduce age-appropriate money management habits. Giving your children hands-on experience managing an allowance, earnings from a summer job, or a school supply budget helps establish financial literacy early.

Matching your child with the right financial account supports their independence as they grow:

• Kidz Club Share Account: Ideal for young children learning the fun fundamentals of saving money and earning interest.
• Teen Share Account: Designed for middle and high school students learning how to set goal-oriented savings and manage an allowance.
• Student Checking Account: Tailored for high school and college students needing a student debit card, mobile banking, and real-time balance alerts to manage daily expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Back-to-School Savings

What items qualify for tax-free weekend back-to-school shopping?

Most state tax holidays cover basic clothing items, school supply essentials (notebooks, pens, paper), and select educational electronics under specific dollar thresholds set by state revenue departments.

When should I open a student checking account for my child?

Opening a student checking account when your child starts high school or takes on their first job gives them a safe, monitored environment to practice budgeting, using a debit card, and monitoring spending online. At Scott Credit Union, Student Checking Accounts are available for students ages 13-22.

Ready to Start Saving?

With a clear budget strategy and the right financial partner, back-to-school spending doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Explore Scott Credit Union’s youth savings and student checking options today to build a strong financial foundation for the school year ahead!