Summer may be in full swing, but back-to-school planning has already started. Before you know it, you’re making supply lists, writing lesson plans, or helping your kids get ready for the new school year.
If you’re an educator, you may be thinking beyond your own shopping list. Teachers spent an average of $895 out of pocket on classroom supplies during the 2024–2025 school year, often making those purchases to create better learning environments for their students.
Families also have their own budgets to manage. Nearly half plan to spend more on back-to-school shopping this year, with average spending expected to reach $922.
These tips can help you save on this year’s expenses, prepare for the months ahead, and use resources designed to support educators and families.
START WITH A CLASSROOM SPENDING PLAN
Teachers shouldn’t have to use their own income to cover basic classroom needs. Yet school-provided budgets only stretch so far. According to AdoptAClassroom.org, teachers reported receiving a median supply budget of $200 during the 2024–2025 school year. And 97% said it wasn’t enough to cover everything they needed.
A spending plan won’t solve that larger funding gap, but it can help you decide where your own money will have the greatest impact. Start with the supplies your students use every day. Then make room for the extras that improve organization, comfort, and creativity in your classroom.
Quick classroom budget check
Before you start shopping:
- Take inventory: Check cabinets, drawers, and storage bins before adding anything to your list.
- Separate needs from nice-to-haves: Buy the essentials first and revisit the rest after the school year begins.
- Use available resources first: Look into school reimbursements, educator discounts, community donations, grants, and other support programs.
- Set a personal spending limit: Decide what you can comfortably contribute before the sales and wish lists start adding up.
- Leave a little breathing room: A small cushion can help cover unexpected needs during the first few weeks of school.
Your commitment to your students matters. Your own financial wellness deserves the same care. A thoughtful plan helps you support your students while protecting yourself, too.
STRETCH YOUR CLASSROOM BUDGET
Once you’ve checked for school resources and set a personal spending limit, prepare a strategy to get a little more from the money you choose to spend.
Look for community support
Before paying for remaining supplies yourself, check what support may already be available. Your school or district may offer reimbursements, grants, shared supply closets, or funds that aren’t widely advertised. PTAs, education foundations, local nonprofits, and community supply drives may also be able to help.
Educators across San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties can start close to home. Ask your school administration, district office, or local education foundation about programs for the coming year. You can also share specific classroom needs through established platforms such as DonorsChoose or AdoptAClassroom.
Shop early for the basics
July brings all the back-to-school promotions. Focus on predictable items you know you’ll use, such as notebooks, pencils, folders, and paper. You can wait on specialized supplies until you have a better sense of your students’ needs.
Compare the full cost
Check prices across stores before placing a large order. Educator discounts, loyalty rewards, coupons, and store brands may help you bring down the total. Price matching can also save you an extra trip.
Split bulk purchases with coworkers
A large pack may offer the best price per item, but may not make sense for one classroom. Coordinate with another educator and divide supplies such as glue sticks, markers, tissues, or printer paper.
Chaffey FCU in the community
In 2025, we reached more than 3,100 students through financial education classes, workshops, and Bite of Reality simulations. With our community’s support, we also donated more than $34,000 to schools, local organizations, and shelters.
Track your purchases
Keep the receipts from your classroom purchases throughout the year. Eligible educators may be able to deduct up to $300 for supplies, professional education, and more. Visit IRS.gov for more information.
GET HELP WITH ESSENTIAL CLASSROOM PURCHASES
Some classroom needs can’t wait for another sale or funding opportunity. Chaffey FCU’s School Employee Supplies Loan helps eligible educators and school employees cover those expenses now.
Chaffey members who work for a school or district can borrow up to $1,000 with a 0% APR. The funds can go toward learning resources, office technology, organizational tools, and other classroom essentials.
To apply, submit your most recent paycheck stubs. No credit check or direct deposit is required. It’s one more way to get the tools your students need while giving your own budget a little more breathing room.
HOW FAMILIES CAN BUILD A BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUDGET
For parents, the shopping list extends far beyond notebooks and pencils. Clothing, technology, books, activity equipment, and last-minute fees all compete for the same dollars. Try starting with one total spending limit, then giving each category its own share before you shop.
PwC’s research offers a helpful starting point for allocating a back-to-school budget to make the most of your budget.
Sample back-to-school budget
- 30% for clothing and shoes
- 25% for technology
- 17% for after-school activities
- 13% for school supplies
- 10% for books and educational materials
- 5% for other one-time purchases
Your family’s priorities may look different. A child who already has a working laptop may need more room in the budget for new clothes or sports equipment. Check what you have, review the school’s requirements, and adjust the categories around your actual needs.
WAYS FAMILIES CAN SAVE ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING
Among the 64% of parents who expect inflation to impact their shopping, ⅓ plan to use at least 3 cost-saving strategies. A few small choices can work together to reduce your overall total and make the back-to-school season exciting rather than stressful.
Buy the essentials first
Start with the items your child needs for the first day. Teachers may add or adjust supplies once classes begin, so waiting on extras can help you avoid unnecessary purchases.
Compare prices
A few dollars may not feel significant for a pack of pencils, but the savings can add up quickly on shoes, electronics, and other high-cost items. Check sale prices, coupons, loyalty offers, and price-matching policies before you buy.
Reuse what still works
Backpacks, lunch boxes, binders, calculators, and art supplies may have another school year left in them. Give last year’s items a quick check before replacing them.
Mix new items with lower-cost options
Store brands work well for everyday basics. Secondhand stores, resale apps, and community groups may also have gently used clothing, books, instruments, or sports gear for less.
Spread out your purchases
July brings back-to-school shopping in full swing. Shopping over several weeks gives you more time to watch for sales and keeps the full expense from landing on one paycheck.
GIVE NEXT YEAR’S SCHOOL BUDGET A HEAD START
Once this year’s shopping is done, look back at what you spent to get a realistic savings goal for next summer. Divide it across the months ahead to spread out the costs and boost your savings.
Chaffey FCU’s Summer Savings Club can help. The account is now available to all Chaffey FCU members, making it useful for both educators and families.
Here’s how it works:
- Deposit $50 to $2,000 each month via direct deposit or payroll deduction
- Earn a fixed 5.80% APY (5.678% APR) for the 2026–2027 program year
- Receive dividends quarterly and when the account matures in June 2027
- Withdraw funds early without a penalty, though any uncredited dividends will be forfeited
- Open to all Chaffey FCU members
A little saved each month can give you more room to focus on the year ahead, and less to add up when July rolls around again.
Learn more about the Summer Savings Club and start building next year’s back-to-school fund.
