Back-to-school shopping season is here.

Whether your little kids are heading off to school for the first time, or your big kids are leaving for university or college, back-to-school shopping is a rite of passage for many families. According to a recent survey by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), approximately 71% of the almost 4,000 Canadians surveyed make a dedicated trip to buy back-to-school essentials, up from 66% last year. And the cost of clothing, school supplies, books and electronics usually adds up fast.

Of course, back-to-school shopping is just a fraction of the overall cost of raising a kid: according to a recent survey by Capital One, the average annual spend per child in 2024 is $7,709, up from $6,848 in 2023.

“With back-to-school top of mind for many parents and kids, our annual survey has found Canadians are increasing spending on their kids compared to 2023. Food, extracurriculars, and clothing continue to be a top expense for parents,” says Becca Mintz, Vice President at Capital One Canada.   

It’s no wonder that, with inflationary pressures still squeezing budgets, parents are feeling the pinch. Shoppers report they’re focusing on the essentials, such as school supplies (63.6% of purchases), though clothing is a close second, accounting for over 56.4% of spending, according to the RCC. And almost 73% plan to spend over $50 on back-to-school shopping this year, slightly down from 73.6% in 2023.

Savvy shoppers know they need to start with a list of needs versus wants (does your kid really need all new binders or those $200 sneakers) and then a budget. Still, it’s easy to overspend when it comes to back-to-school shopping.

So in the spirit of stretching your dollar as far as possible without sacrificing essentials, we’ve rounded up four ways to save as kids of all ages return to school.