The $864 Question: How to Cut Your Back-to-School Costs This August

Pull up a chair. There's a lot to talk about this morning — specifically, about what families across the country are spending right now and how you can keep more money in your pocket before the school year kicks off.

Back to school season is officially in full swing, and if you've been to a Target, Walmart, or any discount store lately, you already know the aisles are packed and the prices are climbing. The good news? With a little planning and the right information, your family can beat the August spending crunch this year.

Here's What Happened

The National Retail Federation (NRF) released its annual back-to-school spending survey in July 2026, and the numbers are eye-opening. According to the survey of 7,677 consumers conducted July 1–8, 2026:

• Families with K–12 students plan to spend an average of $863.86 per household — up from $858.07 in 2025 and more than $160 higher than 2019.

• Total K–12 back-to-school spending is expected to reach a record $43.3 billion nationally, up from $39.4 billion in 2025.

• College students and their families are projected to spend an average of $1,437.79 each — surpassing $100 billion in total for the first time ever.

• Electronics are the single biggest spending category for both K–12 ($293.11 avg.) and college ($341.95 avg.) shoppers.

Despite those big numbers, there is something worth noting: families are being careful. Nearly half of shoppers (47%) said they plan to buy only essentials for the first day and replenish supplies throughout the year. And 46% of those not yet done shopping say they are waiting for the best deals before finishing their lists.

Why It Matters

Back to school is the second-largest retail shopping season in the United States, behind only the winter holidays. When families spend nearly $900 on one student, those dollars add up — and they add up fast if you're not paying attention.

Here's what else matters: inflation and tariff pressures have made many goods more expensive than they were even a year ago. Electronics, clothing, and shoes — the top three back-to-school categories — have all seen price volatility in recent months. Being a smart shopper this season is more important than ever.

The silver lining? Major retailers like Target and Walmart have actively committed to keeping school supply prices at or below last year's levels. And dozens of states are offering sales tax holidays — some of which are happening right now.

What This Means for the Village

Whether you have one child or five, are shopping for a kindergartner's pencil box or a college freshman's laptop, the same truth applies: you are being asked to spend a lot of money very quickly. That pressure is real.

For lower-income families, grandparents raising grandchildren, and single parents, that $864 average is not just a number — it can mean choosing between school clothes and the electric bill. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, kids heading back to school also signals a shift in your household schedule and budget.

Let's break this down with what you can actually do about it.

State Sales Tax Holidays: Free Money on the Table Right Now

One of the easiest ways to save money on back-to-school shopping costs nothing extra — you just need to know when to shop. Many states hold annual sales tax holidays specifically for school-related purchases. Here's what's active or coming up right now:

• Connecticut: Sales Tax-Free Week — August 16–22, 2026 (starts TODAY). Clothing and footwear under $300 per item are exempt. Cleated shoes and backpacks are newly included this year.

• Maryland: Shop MD Tax-Free Week — August 9–15, 2026 (recently ended, but check remaining weekend deals). Clothing and footwear at or under $100 per item.

• Florida: Back-to-School Holiday — July 20 through August 20, 2026 (still active!). Covers school supplies up to $50, clothing up to $100, and computers up to $1,500.

• Illinois: Back-to-School Holiday — August 7–16, 2026 (ends today). Clothing and footwear under $125 are taxed at 1.25% instead of 6.25% — Illinois's first back-to-school tax break since 2022.

• Virginia: Sales Tax Holiday — August 7–9, 2026 (ended last week, but fall deals continue at retailers).

Note: Georgia does not have a back-to-school sales tax holiday in 2026. (We know many of our Sophie's Mart neighbors are in Fayetteville, GA — so plan accordingly and look for retailer-specific discount events instead.)

Check the Federation of Tax Administrators 2026 Sales Tax Holidays page for the full national list by state.

What You Can Do Now

Here's what you should know — practical steps you can take this week to cut your back-to-school costs:

1. Make a two-list system. Split your shopping into "Day One Essentials" (backpack, fitting shoes, required supplies) and "Can Wait" (everything else). Retailers know urgency drives spending — don't let them use yours against you.

2. Check your child's school supply list before you buy anything. Many schools and teachers post them online. Buying items not on the list is the #1 way to waste back-to-school dollars.

3. Use free price comparison apps. Tools like Flipp let you compare store circulars side by side before you leave the house. This alone can save you $50–$100 in a single shopping trip.

4. Shop online for electronics. The NRF data shows that online shopping for K–12 back-to-school has dropped (only 50% plan to shop online). That means less competition — and better deals — for those who do.

5. Take inventory before you shop. Last year's crayons and scissors likely still work. You might already have more than you think.

6. Know your state's sales tax holiday dates. If you live in Connecticut or Florida, shop this week and take advantage of the savings. For Georgia residents, keep an eye on retailer-led discount events — Target Circle and Walmart Deals typically have strong late-August clearance.

7. Spread it out. Nearly one in four back-to-school shoppers spread purchases over time to manage their budget (NRF, 2026). You don't have to buy everything August 1. September and October often bring deeper clearance deals.

How the Village Can Help

The village is strongest when it's prepared — and when it looks out for its neighbors.

• Host or attend a community supply swap. Gather gently used binders, folders, pencil cases, and backpacks to trade or donate to families in need. Many community centers, churches, and libraries organize these in August.

• Check with your child's school for assistance programs. Most public schools have counselors who can quietly connect families with free supply programs, clothing assistance, and reduced-cost meals.

• If you are a small business owner, consider hosting a school supply drive at your location. It builds goodwill, brings foot traffic, and genuinely helps your community.

• Share what you know. If a neighbor doesn't know about their state's sales tax holiday, tell them. A text takes ten seconds and can save someone $20 on a backpack.

Sophie's Suggestions

A few things in the Sophie's Mart store can help your family head into the school year ready and organized:

• Love a Latte Canvas Shoulder Bag / School Tote ($18.00) — A roomy, stylish canvas tote perfect for school books, gym clothes, or extra supplies. It's the kind of bag that works from the first day of school all the way through the year. Grab one at Sophie's Mart.

• 24-Piece Airtight Food Storage Container Set ($39.99) — With kids back at school, packing lunches becomes a daily routine. This container set helps you prep and portion healthy meals in advance — saving money and cutting down on weekday morning stress. Find it at Sophie's Mart.

• Follow The Word, Not The Herd Youth Sweatshirt ($25.00) — A faith-inspired, quality sweatshirt for kids that holds up all school year. It's exactly the kind of intentional back-to-school clothing choice that outlasts the trends and looks great on picture day. Shop it at Sophie's Mart.

Front Porch Takeaway

The smartest back-to-school shopper isn't the one who spends the most — it's the one who knows the most before they ever walk through those store doors.

Sources

• National Retail Federation & Prosper Insights & Analytics — 2026 Back-to-School Survey (July 1–8, 2026, n=7,677): nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/majority-of-back-to-school-shoppers-get-a-head-start-on-the-season

• Federation of Tax Administrators — 2026 Sales Tax Holidays Database: taxadmin.org/2026-sales-tax-holidays

• Florida Department of Revenue — 2026 Back-to-School Tax Holiday: floridarevenue.com/backtoschool

• Connecticut Department of Revenue Services — 2026 Sales Tax-Free Week: portal.ct.gov/drs/sales-tax/sales-tax-free-week

• RetailMeNot / ABC30 — Back to School Saving Tips (August 11, 2026): abc30.com/post/back-school-saving-tips-shopping-new-supplies/19662216