Back-to-school season is full of excitement. It’s a fresh start for kids and families, a time to reconnect with friends or make new ones and the unofficial kickoff to fall routines. But it can also be a major budget-buster, especially for military families juggling moves, new duty stations or multiple kids heading back to class. Between supplies, clothing, sports fees and all the little extras, costs can creep up quickly.
The good news is that with a bit of planning and creativity, you can keep back-to-school spending under control while still getting your kids everything they need and starting their school year off right. Here are smart, military-family-friendly ways to make the season less stressful and more affordable.
Inventory First, Shop Second
Before setting foot in a store, do a complete layout of all your supplies and clothing. Check backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil pouches and last year’s leftover supplies. You might be surprised how many notebooks, pens and folders are still in good shape.
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Before you buy any new clothes for school, have your kids try everything on. Kids grow fast, but sometimes that jacket or pair of sneakers from last year still works. If they've outgrown items, you can either donate or sell them. Reusing what you have isn’t just good for your budget. It teaches kids the value of stretching resources and reducing waste.
Avoid Spending Traps: Wants vs. Needs
Stores are masters at making you believe you need more than you do. This is especially true during back-to-school shopping when “must-have” items are front and center.
Before you go shopping, have a conversation with your kids about needs versus wants. Needs are the essentials such as shoes that fit, required school supplies and lunch boxes for the year. Wants are the extras such as designer backpacks, trendy clothes or name-brand everything.
To avoid impulse buys:
- Shop with a list and stick to it.
- Set a spending cap before you leave home.
- Do some shopping online to avoid in-store temptations and to get cashback with programs such as Rakuten.
- You might want to leave younger kids at home; they might not want to stick to the budget and can be persuasive!
Budget for the Full Year, Not Just the First Day
Back-to-school isn’t just about the first weeks. It’s about the entire school year. Many costs come later, and if you don’t plan for them, they will absolutely throw off your budget -- and most often at the worst possible time (Christmas is right around the corner).
Factor in common “surprise” expenses:
- Sports registration fees and uniforms
- Field trips
- Yearbooks and school pictures
- Teacher wish lists and classroom donations
- Holiday parties and teacher appreciation gifts
- School lunches
Look at what you spent last year or ask other parents at your school for a ballpark figure. Building these costs into your budget now means fewer surprises later.
Use Military Discounts and Free Resources
One of the best perks of military life is the discounts and free programs available to your family.
Many stores offer military discounts during the back-to-school season. Old Navy, Nike, Under Armour, Staples and Apple are just a few. Always ask at checkout or look online for current deals. You can also use GovX to find military discounts.
Also, check for free or low-cost supply programs such as:
- Operation Homefront’s Back-to-School Brigade
- Base family readiness centers
- Local churches and nonprofits offering backpack drives
- On- or off-base thrift stores for gently used clothing and supplies
- Tax-free shopping online with ShopMyExchange.com.
These resources can stretch your budget and help you get the items you need without overspending.
Budget for Transportation
Fuel costs can sneak up on you, especially if you’re driving multiple times a day for drop-offs, pickups and after-school activities. It's even worse if you have kids at different schools.
Estimate your weekly mileage and multiply by the price of gas to see your monthly cost. You may be surprised how much it adds up.
If possible, coordinate carpools with other parents, especially other military families who understand unpredictable schedules.
Plan for Sports, Extracurriculars and Fees
Sports and extracurriculars are great for kids, but they can also strain your budget. In addition to registration fees, you may need to cover uniforms, equipment, snacks and travel expenses for away games or competitions.
A few ways to save:
- Start a savings account now for extracurricular expenses.
- Buy gently used gear from resale shops such as Play It Again Sports or online marketplaces.
- Ask about fee waivers, discounts or scholarships. Many organizations offer them to military families or if you have multiple kids playing.
- Connect with families whose kids have outgrown their gear. They may be happy to pass items along.
Teach Your Kids to Budget During Back-to-School Prep
Back-to-school season is a prime opportunity to teach kids about money. Give older children a set budget for their clothing or school supplies, and let them make the choices.
If they want a pricier backpack, they’ll need to cut costs somewhere else. This helps them understand trade-offs, decision-making and the value of stretching a dollar. You can even make a deal that they get to keep a portion of the money if they come in under budget.
Consider using tools such as cash envelopes, gift cards, prepaid debit cards or family-friendly budgeting apps such as Greenlight or free financial education like Building Wealth to make the lesson more hands-on.
Create a Back-to-School Budget
Breaking your spending into categories can keep you from overspending. For example:
- Supplies
- Clothing
- Fees (sports, clubs, activities)
- Transportation
- Lunch/snacks
- Extracurriculars/clubs
Track your spending in each category and adjust if you go over in one area. Build in a small buffer for last-minute needs because they will happen.
Buy Ahead Where You Can
Not everything needs to be purchased before the first day of school. Spacing out purchases can reduce the financial hit during the fall.
For example:
- Wait for seasonal clearance sales to grab winter coats or boots.
- Stock up on basics such as paper, glue sticks and folders during sales, even if you don’t need them just yet.
- Keep an eye out for midyear restock sales at office supply and big-box stores.
This approach keeps you from paying full price when demand is highest.
It’s Not a Competition
Back-to-school season can feel like a comparison game. Who has the newest shoes, the latest tech or the trendiest outfits? It’s important to remind both yourself and your kids that school is about learning, friendships and growth -- not about winning a fashion contest.
Military families, in particular, know how to be resourceful, flexible and creative. Those qualities are far more valuable than the newest backpack on the shelf.
Back-to-school season should not break the bank. By taking inventory, setting clear priorities, using available resources and planning for the whole year, not just the first day, you can keep costs under control. More importantly, you can take the opportunity to turn the season into money lessons for your kids, teaching them how to budget, make wise choices and appreciate the value of every hard-earned dollar.
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