As summer fades, parents are once again bracing for the financial strain that comes with back-to-school shopping. School preparations for children’s classroom have become increasingly difficult to view as an essential as its budget drops dramatically. This seasonal routine, now weighed down by financial uncertainty for many households. Families are facing realities and buckling under greater financial strains.
New figures released by RetailMeNot reveal that average back-to-school spend has fallen for 2025. Households expect to spend around $389 on school-aged children—a noticeable drop from $506 in 2024. That includes $177 for primary school students and $212 for those in secondary. For parents with college-age students, spending expectations have also dropped sharply to $598, compared with $821 the previous year.
Financial stress has topped the list of seasonal worries for the third year in a row, according to the research. In fact, 50% of parents cite the cost of supplies as their biggest concern, up 9% year-on-year. Other concerns include the challenge of tracking down discounts and offers (39%), braving crowded shops (39%), sticking to a set budget (29%), and the risk of items being out of stock (29%).
The findings cause a widespread concern — as inflation tightens its grip, families are left wondering where to begin to even cover the basics. Mothers, in particular, are often left scrambling to find deals, sometimes resorting to panic buying just to cover essentials. With stretched finances and lengthy shopping lists, some families may be facing the possibility of sending children back to class under-equipped. The economic pressure could far exceed this issue and outgrow the classroom.
What Budget Crunch Means for Schools
According to Whiteboard Advisors’ March 3 briefing on the FY2025 budget, federal education funding is set for a significant reset. The Department of Education may see a reduction of more than $4 billion, with Title I facing a potential $2 billion cut. The report states, Lawmakers will face pressure to maintain spending at FY2024 levels or higher, but unless Congress acts, schools may experience a sharp decline in resources just as pandemic relief expires.
Meanwhile, the National Workforce Education Fund (NWEF) warns while K–12 spending has increased nationally, it has created long-term inefficiencies. Without state or federal intervention, the burden may increasingly fall on local communities and retailers to fill the economic gaps.
With mounting pressures, parents are left juggling tough decisions—simply hoping to meet their children’s basic needs before the school bell rings.
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