Back-to-School Savings Tips for Military Families

There’s something about the back-to-school season that makes my wallet nervous.

One minute I’m stressing over summer childcare options and the next I’m receiving detailed back-to-school lists from my children. Between clothes, shoes, backpacks and supplies, it’s amazing how quickly the total climbs. And I know that’s just the beginning of the school expenses.

I don’t even want to start thinking about parking passes, club dues, PTO registrations, field trip expenses or the cost of school lunches. But here we are, approaching the start of the school year, and it’s staring us down.

So, what’s a parent to do? Well, we have some options.

Start with What You Already Have

Before you head to the store, gather last year’s supplies.

You might be surprised by what survived the previous school year. Half-used notebooks, unopened packs of pencils, rulers, scissors, binders and calculators often end up tucked away in a closet or desk drawer.

My kids have taught me that backpacks don’t always need to be replaced every August, either. A quick wash and a few minutes checking zippers and straps can sometimes buy another year or two of use.

Taking inventory first helps you shop for what you actually need instead of what you think you need.

Shop with a List—And Stick to It

Walking into a store without a plan during back-to-school season can get expensive quickly. The same can be said about opening Amazon. Many stores will allow you to upload your list, or they may even have your school’s list available. That’s convenient, but it can also encourage impulse purchases.

Read through the list first. Teacher supply lists make a great starting point, but they’re also a reminder to prioritize needs before wants. If you can’t get everything at once, then don’t. There will be plenty of opportunities to support your child’s classroom throughout the year.

The fun lunchbox accessories and trendy notebooks are tempting, especially when your child insists that “Everyone has one.” But focusing on the essentials first leaves room in the budget for one or two fun extras instead of a cart full of impulse purchases.

Start Shopping on Post

One benefit many military families sometimes overlook is the value available through the Exchange. Especially when it comes to using the MILITARY STAR card.

Shopping tax-free on school supplies, clothing, shoes and electronics can stretch your budget further. Because Exchange earnings are reinvested into military communities, your purchases help support quality-of-life programs for service members and their families.

It’s also worth checking the Exchange’s seasonal sales and weekly promotions before making larger purchases. If you’re shopping for a laptop, calculator or other higher-priced item, the Exchange also offers a price-match program on eligible identical items, helping ensure you’re getting competitive pricing while still enjoying your military benefit.

Spread Out the Spending

Not everything has to be purchased in one weekend. I’m a big proponent of not buying a back-to-school wardrobe. My kids get one new outfit for the first day of school, and then I buy the other items as needed. Jeans when the weather cools off and new shoes when they outgrow the old ones. Spacing it out helps my budget.

You can also start ahead of time. I have some friends who begin shopping as soon as the school year ends. The school supply lists don’t usually change drastically from one year to the next, so you can have a good idea of what to buy by looking at last year’s list. Buying a little at a time makes the total feel much more manageable than one large shopping trip.

Let Kids Help

As soon as my kids were old enough to read and write, I had them research their own school supply lists and then write down what we needed. They would then go through our inventory and cross things off the list.

Back-to-school shopping is a great opportunity to teach kids about money. Give them a budget for optional items and let them make choices.

Would they rather have the designer water bottle or the colorful pens? The expensive backpack or money left over for a new lunchbox?

Helping children understand that every purchase involves a tradeoff is a lesson they’ll carry long after the first day of school.

Celebrate Their Success

One great Exchange tradition comes after the report cards arrive.

The Exchange’s “You Made the Grade” program rewards qualifying students in grades 1-12 – including homeschooled students – with Exchange Rewards gift cards for earning an overall B average or higher. It’s a fun way to celebrate hard work while giving kids a little spending money of their own. Or they can save them for next year’s back-to-school haul.

Programs like that are a nice reminder that back-to-school season isn’t only about spending money. It’s also about encouraging our kids as they grow.

Remember What Truly Matters

As parents, it’s easy to feel pressure to provide every new gadget, every trendy backpack or every colorful accessory.

Years from now, our kids probably won’t remember whether they had the fanciest notebook.

They’ll remember the teacher who believed in them, the friends they made, the lessons they learned and the encouragement they received at home.

Back-to-school season doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

With a little planning, smart shopping and the military benefits already available to your family, you can send your children back to school prepared without putting unnecessary strain on your budget.

And that’s a lesson worth carrying into every school year.