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Back-to-School Budget Calculator

Plan your back-to-school shopping budget for every child — supplies, clothes and shoes, electronics, fees and activities — and see how much to save each week before school starts.

Number of children

School supplies per child

Clothing and shoes per child

Electronics and tech per child

Fees, activities and lunch gear per child

Already saved

Weeks until school starts

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How it works

Per child = supplies + clothing + electronics + fees · total = per child × children · still to save = total − already saved · weekly saving = still to save ÷ weeks left

Back-to-school shopping is one of the biggest seasonal expenses for families. The US National Retail Federation’s annual survey puts K-12 spending at roughly 850 to 900 per household, with clothing and shoes and electronics as the largest categories and supplies such as notebooks and backpacks smaller but universal. Splitting the total into weekly savings before school starts keeps it off a credit card.

Worked example

For 2 children at 100 for supplies, 200 for clothing and shoes, 150 for electronics and 75 for fees, activities and lunch gear, each child needs 525.00 and the back-to-school budget is 1,050.00. With nothing saved yet and 8 weeks to go, put aside 131.25 a week. Clothing and shoes is the biggest category.

Sources: NRF — Back-to-school season begins early for majority of shoppers

Frequently asked questions

How much do families spend on back-to-school shopping?

NRF surveys put average K-12 spending around 850 to 900 per household in recent years, and college students far more. Your total depends on grade level, school lists and whether a laptop is needed.

How can I cut the back-to-school bill?

Take inventory of last year’s supplies, buy only what the class list requires, shop sales or tax-free weekends, buy clothing in stages through the fall and consider refurbished electronics.

When should I start saving?

Two to three months before school starts is ideal: spreading 1,050 over 8 weeks is 131.25 a week instead of one large hit to the budget.

Should I include after-school activities?

Yes — registration fees, uniforms and equipment for sports or music often arrive in the same weeks, so include them in the fees line.

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Educational estimate, not financial advice. Your income, prices, taxes and returns will differ — use it to plan, then check the numbers against your own bank statements and, for big decisions, a qualified adviser.