Consumers Tighten Belts at Back-to-School Time

A survey performed by the Mall of America recently asked more than 500 consumers how they plan to handle the #back-to-school #shopping season, finding that more than half (51%) will focus on deals rather than labels when making purchase decisions. Three out of 5 (61%) say they plan to spend less this year due to economic concerns, though a greater majority (70%) estimate their spending will be in the $100-$499 range. And even in the days of AI-fueled bargain-hunting, the vast majority of respondents said they would do at least some of their shopping in person at a physical store. #BackToSchool #Inflation

When It Pays to Wait on Back-to-School Shopping

The early bird doesn’t necessarily get the worm when it comes to #back-to-school #shopping, says Go Banking Rates. Plan on hitting the stores right before school starts, says consumer finance expert Austin Kilgore, to take advantage of retailers’ clearance prices. “It may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes there are supplies on the list that kids won’t need right off the bat,” he says. “If you can wait to purchase one of these, clearance sales usually begin right after school starts. And with so many different start dates, it pays to keep your eye out for these sales.” #BackToSchool #Inflation

Five Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping

With #tariffs increasing costs on a wide variety of essentials, many parents are wondering how to stretch their back-to-school dollars — 85%, in fact, according to U.S. News & World Report. Mom.com offers five ways to save this season: Shop back-to-school sales and clearance racks for kids’ clothing, but concentrate on the basics at larger retailers because better discounts may be on the way. State sales tax holidays can help save, especially on high-dollar items such as computers. But perhaps the best way to save is to go used at a clothing swap, consignment store or thrift supplied by donations to ClothingDonations.org. #BackToSchool #Inflation

Get the Jump on Back-to-School Season

For kids and the college-bound, the lazy days of summer will soon come to an end. School starts as early as mid-August in many parts of the United States, so it’s goodbye to campouts and cookouts and swimming pools and pickup games, and back to the books.

Parents will want to take advantage of the many sales. Retailers are promoting back-to-school #deals earlier to tap the average $875 parents will spend this year to get each child outfitted in new clothes, computers and backpacks.

College students need even more to set them up for success: $1,365, according to the National Retail Federation, because they also need basic housewares such as sheets and minifridges. Whatever the student’s age, Good Housekeeping offers a guide to the things they might need.

You’ll want to get your students looking the part, from outfitting them in the latest styles (baggy jeans and leopard prints are back) to getting them a fresh haircut. (Great Clips is offering 24,000 free haircuts and a glossary of Gen Z slang to get parents up to speed.)

“It’s tough to keep up with the latest slang kids are using, but it is important because you can’t help your child succeed if you don’t really know what they want,” says former NSYNC singer Joey Fatone, who stars in a promo with his teenage daughter.

Parents who want to cut the #clutter will also want to prepare for the inevitable onslaught of student projects. Now’s a great time of year to work with your kids to #clean out #closets and make room for new #clothes, #organize a desk and #file last year’s school work.

Set aside any #clothing that still has some useful life in it and contact ClothingDonations.org to schedule a #free #donation #pickup. Other parents appreciate the deals they can find at the #thrift stores supplied by those generous #donations, and #veterans benefit from the resale proceeds.

So (attempting Z slang here) don’t do back-to-school midgas up your kids for the new year. If your beige flag is organization, it’s a good time for you to cook. But start right away — letting kids start school unprepared is delulu!

Back-to-School Shopping Hacks

Try some #shopping #hacks to ensure you don’t break the bank on back-to-school shopping, says the Krazy Koupon Lady. Shop on Sundays and Mondays so your preferred stores don’t run out of supplies; look for manufacturer coupons on things like pens and Post-its; check the local dollar store for basics; and download store and shopping apps to track the sales. If you’re shopping someplace new, many loyalty programs offer a percent-off deal to incentivize the initial purchase online or in person, the site says, and you may be able to apply credit card and loyalty rewards dollars to your purchases, too. #BackToSchool