Back-to-school season used to mean fresh pencils, clean sneakers, and a fun excuse to grab that new lunchbox. But these days? It’s starting to feel more like a financial crisis with a side of crayons. A wave of new surveys confirms what so many parents already know, back-to-school shopping is expensive, and for some families, it’s pushing them into debt.

According to Deloitte, parents are expected to spend an average of $570 per child this season. Multiply that by a couple of kids and suddenly you’re eyeing your grocery budget wondering what’s about to get cut. That reality is hitting hard, Intuit Credit Karma found that 44% of parents expect to take on debt for school shopping this year, and more than half say they’ll have to sacrifice essentials like food just to make sure their kids are ready for day one.

Beyond the money stress, there’s also emotional weight. 54% of parents say the cost of school supplies is a major source of anxiety, and 67% believe schools are passing more costs onto families than ever before. And let’s not forget the social pressure . Fifty-one percent of parents admit to buying non-essential trendy items just to avoid disappointing their kids.

No one wants to be the “mean” parent before the first bell even rings. But financial experts say it doesn’t have to be this way.

“You can safeguard your finances and feel confident about back-to-school shopping this year, even amid the uncertainty of rising prices,” Tiana Patillo, CFP and Financial Advisor Manager at Vanguard said in a recent interview with Parents.com.

It all starts with a game plan. That means building a budget, making a list of needs vs. wants, and, this is important, checking what you already have at home before hitting the stores.

“Create a more focused and intentional list before you even start shopping,” Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma recommended.

So, just how can parents shop for back-to-school this year without breaking the bank? Well, according to the experts, here are a few smart strategies to try this season:

• Talk to your kids about money. Alev said this is the perfect moment to introduce age-appropriate budgeting conversations: “Being honest with your child about what you’re able or unable to afford can be a great way to not only set expectations, but also show kids how to set financial boundaries.”
• Start early. “Parents are starting their back-to-school shopping earlier this year, not just to beat the rush, but to hunt down the best deals before price hikes,” Chris Riedy, CRO at Ibotta shared.
• Delay some purchases. If your child won’t need jackets or boots for a few months, hold off until prices drop.
• Go secondhand. “Parents can find high-quality clothes, backpacks, sporting gear, and even tech like tablets and laptops from people right in their community, often at a fraction of retail prices,” Ken Murphy, Chief Innovation Officer at OfferUp said.
• Buy store brands and comparison shop for big-ticket items like laptops. Patillo suggests watching for promotions and cashback deals before making any big purchases.
• Bulk up and buddy up. Alev recommended teaming up with other parents to buy essentials in bulk, it saves money and makes shopping a little more fun.

And if you do have to use a credit card, don’t panic, but have a payoff plan. “It’s important to make a plan to pay it off in a way that’s doable for you,” Alev advised. “Any high-interest credit card debt should be your first priority to pay down.”

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to buy everything, it’s to set your child up for success without sacrificing your family’s stability. As Patillo put it, “Kids mirror the behaviors of those around them, so demonstrating healthy budgeting habits and creating interactive, open conversations around money will have a lasting impression.