Card rewards, browser extensions, sales tax holidays and more: How to save on back-to-school shopping

Each new semester means shopping for new outfits, new supplies and more. And prepping for back to school isn't cheap.

According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, families of kids in K-12 budgeted $249.36 on average for clothing and accessories the fall 2025 school season ($11.4 billion total). They also laid out $295.81 for electronics ($13.6 billion total), $169.13 for shoes ($7.8 billion total) and $143.77 for school supplies ($6.6 billion total).

Whether you're reading your kids for the first day of kindergarten or sending them back to college, we have handy tips for back-to-school shopping.

Credit cards can help you save in different ways. By paying with the right card, you can earn cash back and/or benefit from certain cards' introductory 0% APR periods. Also, many card issuers offer limited-time deals through cardholder programs such as Amex Offers and Chase Offers, allowing cardholders to earn bonus points or cash back. Note that activation may be required to get in on these types of deals.

One of the best cards for maximizing back-to-school shopping is the Citi Double Cash® Card. Cardholders can earn up to 2% cash back on all eligible purchases: 1% cash back on purchases and another 1% once paying off their bill.

If you have a lot on your shopping list, consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees). Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Card members earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, plus unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

It's a simple but essential trick: Write down what you need. Making a shopping list not only clears your headspace but also provides a mental incentive to stick to those items, which will save you money at checkout.

There are plenty of apps and sites out there to help you track down any used or refurbished items on your list, including Amazon, Best Buy, eBay, Etsy, Depop, Mercari and Facebook Marketplace.

Whether you're shopping for gently used textbooks or electronics, you'll pay less this way than if you were to buy the items brand new. Plus, you can usually find discounted items in "like new" condition on most of these platforms.

Shopping portals such as Rakuten allow you to earn bonus cash back, points or miles for your purchases on top of the rewards you're already earning by using your credit card.

Search for the merchant you'd like to shop from on one of these portals, then click through to be redirected to its website. Place your order like you normally would, and, thanks to a few additional clicks, you'll rack up additional rewards. For example, at the time of this writing, you can earn an extra 4% back at Nike, Staples and Office Depot by shopping through Rakuten.

Though you may have to scour the web to find them, there are also often coupons or promo codes out there that can save you even more money. CouponCabin and RetailMeNot are two of our favorites.

You might think you've found the best deal out there, but there's a good chance there are even better prices still waiting to be discovered.

Browser extensions such as PayPal Honey track the best deals for you so you don't have to sift through every website to find your kid's new backpack at the lowest available price. In addition to price comparisons, browser extensions may also automatically apply coupons at checkout or help you earn cash back while shopping online.

With a simple Google search, you'll find lists of stores of all categories that mark off items if you flash your student ID. For example, Apple, Microsoft, H&M, Madewell, Target and Goodwill all offer discounts just for students.

You can also take advantage of student discounts through sites such as Unidays and Student Beans or by signing up for a discounted Amazon Prime student membership. Note that these discounts are usually intended for higher education students, though they sometimes extend to grades K-12.

Many states give families a break on sales tax for back-to-school supplies. Throughout the month of August, for example, Florida doesn't add sales tax to:

• Clothing, footwear and accessories for $100 or less
• Most school supplies for $50 or less
• Learning aids and puzzles for $30 or less
• Computers and accessories up to $1,500

Check the list of 2026 sales tax holidays to see the latest state updates.

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