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Parents spend an average of $100-500 per child each year on back-to-school stuff – and at least of half of that budget goes to clothing rather than computers, books or supplies.
These are just a couple of the key findings from a recent survey by online coupon site RetailMeNot about back to school shopping.
- While most parents spend between $100-500 per child on back to school (whether it’s a male child or a female child), shocking 3% of respondents admit they spend more than $1,000 per child on back toschool shopping each year
- Clothing is the item that parents spend the most on proportionally (50% of overall spending) vs. cons electronics (computers, phones), school supplies, books, dorm décor, shoes or “other,” all of which came in at an even 10%
- Despite the stereotypes about crowded malls and temper tantrums, most parents surveyed rate back toschool shopping as a positive experience. Specifically, 22% call it “fun” and 20% call it “an opportunity toconnect with my child/kids”
Shopping Tips for Back to School Items This Season
Before shopping, visit the Retailmenot.com’s Back to School page for huge discounts from all your favorite back to school retailers and e-tailers.
RetailMeNot gives consumers free access to hundreds of thousands of coupons by category or store, saving them an average of $20 per purchase.
If you have a specific item in mind, compare prices for that item using tools like Red Laser, PriceGrabber and NextTag. Once you’ve narrowed down the stores with the lowest list prices, visit RetailMeNot.com to search for discounts and free shipping coupon codes for those sites.
If you’re out shopping and looking for savings, RetailMeNot’s new Coupons App for iPhone enables you to find deals on items when you are out and about, which is especially important for last-minute savings while shopping in brick-and-mortar stores.
My favorite deals for Back to School are from Land’s End and PBTeen. Land’s End, which is offering 30% off site-wide has fantastic backpacks of all sizes, messenger bags, insulated lunch bags and BPA-free drinking bottles! PBTeen is offering 30% off PBDorm, which offers a great range all dorm necessities. Both deals can be found on theRetailmenot.com Back to School page.
Now more than ever, kids will be looking for tech items for school. Office Depot, which is a great resource for the e-readers, Flash Drives, phone accessories and laptops your kids will be clamoring for, is offering $25 off any purchase of $125 or more. If you’re investing in a device, like an e-reader, smartphone or laptop for your computer, also invest in protection for it. Skinit.com is offering 25% off all protective device skins. Both deals can be found on the Retailmenot.com Back to School page.
This year, many retailers are making in-store coupons available online to encourage consumers to make purchases at brick-and-mortar locations. So, whether shopping in-store or online this back-to-school season, there are plenty of deals to be found.