Why School Supplies Are So Expensive (And How to Budget Smartly)
- Eshan Patel
- Nov 16
- 2 min read
You walk into Target to buy a few notebooks and walk out with a receipt that looks more like a CVS scroll. Sound familiar? Back-to-school shopping seems to get pricier every year, and you’re not imagining it.
But what’s behind the price hike on pens, backpacks, and calculators? And how can you budget smarter this school year? Let’s break it down.
The Economics of Back-to-School Season
Just like holidays, the start of school creates a spike in demand. Millions of students and families are all shopping for the same things, at the same time. Businesses know this, and prices often rise with demand.
Supply Chains and Shipping Costs
School supplies don’t magically appear on store shelves. They’re made in factories (often overseas), packed in crates, shipped across oceans, and then delivered to stores. If any step gets delayed or becomes more expensive, prices rise.
Fuel prices, shipping container shortages, and labor issues can all increase the cost of delivering your backpack, and that cost is passed on to you.
Brand vs. Generic: What Are You Really Paying For?
That $6 pack of brand-name highlighters? It might not be that different from the $2 store brand.
This is where perceived value kicks in. Many of us equate brands with quality, but in reality, many generic items come from the same manufacturers. Paying for a name is part of the price.
How to Shop Smarter This School Year
Here are some simple ways to save money without sacrificing what you need:
Set a budget in advance. Make a list of must-haves and stick to it.
Use price-tracking tools like Honey or CamelCamelCamel to watch for deals.
Buy in bulk for items you’ll use all year (pens, paper, folders).
Reuse what you can. You don’t need a new backpack every year.
Split costs with siblings or friends for multi-pack items.
Check dollar stores or thrift shops for basics—especially binders, rulers, and calculators.
Bonus Tip: Timing Is Everything
Prices often drop after the initial rush. If you can wait a week or two to buy certain items, you might score major savings.
Back-to-school season can hit your wallet hard, but understanding how prices work (and how to budget around them) can save you money and stress. Whether you’re shopping for highlighters or graphing calculators, a little economic awareness goes a long way.
Remember: Being financially prepared is just as important as being academically prepared.
