Everything You Need to Know for Back to School Shopping

Back to School season is an exciting time for students of many ages. Even if they aren't in love with school, many at least get excited about new supplies and seeing friends again on a daily basis. Finding the best deals can be intimidating, though, especially with Back to School shopping lists growing longer and including naturally pricey items, such as specialty materials and electronics.

To help you stay up to date on Back to School shopping advice, we've put together an extensive set of guides. Read on to learn what to expect from Back to School sales, how inflation is impacting them, when to save and splurge, and other useful info.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Check out all our Blog coverage!

What You Need to Know for Back to School Shopping

Back to School Sales for 2022 Are Live! Here's What to Expect

Back to School sales tend to roll out in late May or June at the earliest, but by August, they're in full swing. Obviously, they're a good time to purchase anything school-related, including standard supplies, backpacks, and lunchboxes. Check out Back to School sales for discounts like the following:

• Up to 65% off kids' clothing
• Up to 70% off backpacks
• School supplies for less than $1 each

When Is Your State's Tax Free Weekend in 2022?

Back to School shopping can get expensive, especially if you're shopping for multiple kids or having to buy several kinds of supplies. Because of that, parents and students alike are interested in saving money however they can.

One of the easiest ways to save on Back to School supplies like clothing, backpacks, and laptops is by taking advantage of a tax free holiday. However, not all states host them. If you live in a state that does, it's well worth doing all your shopping during these events to help mitigate rising costs.

Which Back to School Supplies Should You Buy? (And Which Ones Should You Skip?)

Back to School supply lists can get pretty lengthy. That can be overwhelming for both parents and students, plus put strain on already-tight budgets. However, while the Back to School section at your favorite retailer may be extensive, that doesn't mean you have to buy everything you find there. Instead, check out the must-have school supplies as well as the school supplies you should skip, such as these:

• Colorful gel pens
• Correction fluid or tape
• Zipper binders

When to Splurge or Save on School Supplies

Shopping for school supplies doesn't have to break the bank — you just need to know which items have some wiggle room. Make sure to purchase quality-made iterations of some school supplies, but others you can afford to skimp on, at least a little bit.

Check out our guide to when you should splurge on school supplies, as well as which ones you can find on sale. It can help you find adequate savings regardless of your budget.

Where to Shop for Back to School

A ton of retailers offer Back to School sales, but that doesn't mean they're all worth shopping. Some stores may only offer school supplies in the most basic form of the term, and others may have plenty to choose from, but the deals aren't worth your time and can stretch your wallet. To save you the trouble, we've highlighted the best stores to shop for Back to School, including the following:

• Amazon
• Best Buy
• Target

35 College Essentials You Didn't Know You Needed

Shopping for college freshmen may seem easy, but whether they're moving into a dorm or an apartment with roommates, they inevitably end up missing a few items. That's why we've put together a list to help you nail your shopping the first time around.

Our list is subjective, of course. Some of the items on it may be necessary while others aren't, and some may just be nice to have rather than must-have products. Whatever the case may be, our guide to the college essentials you didn't know you needed can help to round out your standard packing list and prevent last-minute trips.

How to Buy and Save on a Laptop for College

Part of getting ready for college is buying a shiny new laptop, especially if you need one with certain specs for your degree program. While laptops and tablets are popular items in Back to School sales, that doesn't mean they come cheap. The good news is there are a number of ways you can save on a college laptop, such as these:

• Using student discounts
• Buying refurbished
• Sticking to only what you need

Your Guide to Buying Target Dorm Essentials

Shoppers of all ages love Target, so it should come as no surprise that students heading off to college visit the bull's-eye retailer for dorm essentials. From bedroom items to bathroom supplies and everything in between, Target makes it easy to fulfill your off-to-college shopping list. In fact, they even provide a PDF one to help out new college students!

Room Essentials has to be the most budget-friendly brand Target carries for college items, but don't let the affordability fool you — many of these are decent-quality products that can last far longer than just a semester. Check out our guide on Target dorm essentials to see all the categories the retailer offers, general costs to expect, and how to save even more.

Ask An Expert: What Student Supplies Can I Wait to Buy?

Back to School shopping lists are typically pretty long, depending on the age of the student, anyway. Young kids in particular often have to purchase not just supplies for learning, but also classroom supplies like hand soap, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and facial tissue.

All of those purchases, no matter how affordable, really add up over time. The good news is you can stretch your budget by buying over time rather than all at once. In response to a reader's question, we cover the student supplies you can wait to buy, which includes items like the following:

• Fall clothing
• New smartphones
• Lunchboxes and backpacks (sometimes)

What Are the Effects of Inflation on Back to School Shopping?

There's no denying that inflation has hit nearly every product category, although some have seen bigger impacts than others. Unfortunately, rising prices across the board have made an already expensive shopping occasion — Back to School — even more so for many families.

Consumers have found ways to mitigate the high costs, though. Some parents are seeking to spread out their shopping, while others have cut out other expenses to make sure they can still shop for this "essential category." See how families are tackling the issue of Back to School inflation, as well as how some are changing their priorities.

How to Shop and Save on Kids' Adidas Items

If your kids aren't wearing uniforms to school, you'll want to make sure their wardrobe is comfortable but durable, so it can take everything they throw at it. While you might think of sporty athletic wear as the only type of product adidas carries, the brand actually has a variety of shoes, clothing, and even backpacks suitable for students of all ages. In addition to ways to save on kids' adidas items, we also highlight the prices you can expect, including the following:

• Shirts from $18
• Skirts from $28
• Hoodies from $35