According to one analysis, prices for lunch boxes are up 27%. Notebooks and notebook paper cost 20% more. Prices on scissors have risen 14%, and that is adding up to total stress.
But there is one retail chain with unbeatable savings that many of you might be overlooking, and that is your local Goodwill store.
Amanda Grullon, store manager of the South Philadelphia Goodwill on Oregon Avenue, says, "For small children, we have clothes starting at $3.99. For all your back-to-school clothes, we have sweaters started at $5.99, jeans at $5.99. You can get a kid's coat right here for a fraction of the price: $7.99."
Goodwill is other people's cast-offs can be your cost savings.
Grullon shows us racks of clothing with trendy brands and says, "You're going to have Hollister, Levi's, Alo, Zara, Fashion Nova, Nike, Under Armor, anything that you can think of. All those high-end boutique brands you're going to find here at $7.99."
Some for even less!
Plus, you can buy books for less than $1 and art and science supplies, which is great for families and teachers. Teachers can also find all kinds of items to decorate their classrooms. Grullon also showed us an Eagles green Jansport lunch bag priced at $3.99, and she tells Action News you can buy backpacks for $5.99.
College students can outfit dorms or apartments for under $100. Goodwill has whiteboards, organizers, binders, lamps, clocks.
"We have mini fridges. You can get a microwave. You can get furniture," says Grullon.
Do go with the mindset for multiple trips and a treasure hunt.
Grullon tells us, "You're not going to find everything in just one trip. Every day is something different. We're putting new things out seven days a week."
Many shoppers go many times in one week to see different items and to enjoy special promo days!
Juli Lundberg, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Goodwill, tells Action News, "On Thursday, we have student discount day. Bring in a student ID, you'll get 15% off your purchase, which is fantastic. We also have a Club Goodwill program. It's a text marketing program. You sign up for our text, you get a 20% off coupon to spend that day."
Many items are further marked down on Sundays.
Here's a bonus: the money you spend helps Goodwill help others.
Lundberg says, "Donations and purchases are what fuel our mission, and we are all about changing lives through the power of work."
Goodwill uses your shopping dollars to fund job training programs and career services, and to help people earn high school diplomas.