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How to Save on Back-To-School Expenses

By K-Staff

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It’s hard to believe, but summer vacation is nearly over – the first day of classes for Albuquerque Public Schools is August 7, 2025. With back-to-school preparation comes back-to-school expenses, and with parents expecting to spend nearly $750 on average for clothing, supplies, and other related items this year, it’s more important than ever to shop smartly and save where you can.

How can you stretch your school supply dollar to its limit? Here are some tips and suggestions for your back-to-school preparation:

Take advantage of the New Mexico sales tax holiday

The easiest way to save money on school supplies and clothes this summer is to shop during the New Mexico Back to School tax-free holiday from Friday, July 25, 2025 to Sunday, July 27, 2025. During this period, clothing and shoes under $100 per unit, computers under $1,000, computer hardware under $500, backpacks under $100, school supplies under $30 per item, and other related items will be exempt from New Mexico’s gross receipts tax – and that should help you get the most for your back-to-school dollar.

Check stores for sales and shop selectively

Check the weekly ads from your local stores for sales on supplies (and check online while you’re at it), and do the math what you’re buying – it may be more cost-effective to take advantage of the deals offered at multiple stores rather than buying everything in one stop.

Buy in bulk, and split your costs

There are certain items – tissues, pens, pencils, among others – which may be available for a lower cost per unit through warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. If you pool your resources with other parents in your child’s classes for these purchases, this can save money for everyone.

Ask about student discounts

Several retailers do offer discounts for student shoppers, including Best Buy, Apple, Nike, Amazon, Dell, and Microsoft. Check in with your retailer before you check out, and you could save as much as 20% on your purchases.

Use technology to your advantage

Whether it’s through cash-back applications like Rakuten and Ibotta or browser extensions like Honey or Camelizer, you can save money shopping online, or at least discover whether that deal you found on Amazon is as attractive as it first appeared.

Use what's already in your house

It’s good to save money with sales, but the greatest savings you can get is from not spending in the first place. For many children, the recommended list of school supplies for their classes probably include items you already have from previous years’ classes. Check your closets and backpacks for last year’s leftovers.

Sources:

How to Master Thrifty Back-To-School Shopping. NerdWallet.com, July 10, 2025

2025 Back-To-School Shopping Report. NerdWallet.com, July 10, 2025

5 Smart Ways to Save Money on Back-To-School Supplies. Yahoo! Finance, July 7, 2025

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