Back-to-school shopping, including clothes, tech, school supplies; here are ways to save and score deals

NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — It’s officially that time of the year! Back-to-school shopping can be overwhelming and expensive.

According to the National Retail Federation, families are expected to spend an average of $875 preparing their children to return to school.

Here are some tips on how to save this back-to-school season and stay within or under your budget.

One of the top ways to save is to shop second-hand.

Cheyenne Levinson, owner of Little Oak Collective, a kids’ and teens’ consignment boutique with locations in Wake Forest and Raleigh, says they offer top brands at a fraction of the retail price. You can find Lululemon, Athletic Girl, Nike and Adidas.

If your kids are involved in after-school activities, such as dance and sports, Little Oak has you covered.

“Tap shoes, ballet shoes, soccer cleats, leotards, we have tons of athletic gear,” Levinson said.

Madison Moreno, a mom of two and a consignor at Little Oak Collective, shared with Eyewitness News how she finds savings.

“I just try to follow what the deals are and follow the ads,” Moreno said, “and see where we can pinch money here and save money there.”

Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot, offered even more ways to save on back-to-school shopping. First, before you go out and shop, check what you already have at home.

“Taking that quick inventory before you shop. So, before you head out, take a look at what was left over from last year. Check those drawers, your closet, even those supply bins,” Carls said.

For items you must buy, she recommended thinking of it in “layers.”

“The first layer is going be those day one must-haves,” Carls said. “So, things like supplies, shoes, uniforms, your backpack.”

The second layer is things you don’t need on day one. Carls called these “soon needs.”

“Tech accessories, lunch gear, those items that you know you’ll need, but not right away,” she said.

Then, finally, there’s “wait-for-a-sale” items.

“So, those are going to be like jackets, hoodies, those different extras that, of course, are still on your list,” Carls said. “This structure will help you keep that focus, and it’s not going to feel like such a budget panic as you’re going shopping. “

For big items, like laptops, graphing calculators and other tech needs, consider purchasing pre-owned, open-box or trade-in options. Brands like Apple and Samsung also offer savings on new devices whenever you turn your old ones in.

You should also look for promo codes, cashback offers and even reward points with different retailers. Carls said those will add up fast.

Don’t let those long back-to-school shopping lists overwhelm you this year. With the right strategies, you can get your kids ready for a great school year without breaking the bank.

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