Shopping Guides
Back-to-School Shopping Guide 2026: The Best Times to Buy Everything
As summer winds down, millions of families begin preparing for another school year. The good news? You don't have to pay full price for school supplies, electronics, clothing, or dorm essentials.
Timing your purchases can save hundreds of dollars. In this guide, we'll show you exactly when to buy each back-to-school item so you get the biggest discounts possible.
Why Timing Matters
Retailers compete aggressively during back-to-school season. Sales start as early as July and continue through September, but not every product reaches its lowest price at the same time.
Shopping strategically means you can:
Save up to 70% on school supplies
Find better laptop and tablet deals
Avoid paying premium prices for clothing
Take advantage of tax-free weekends (where available)
Stack coupons with store promotions for even bigger savings
School Supplies
Best Time to Buy: Late July through Mid-August
Competition between Walmart, Target, Staples, Office Depot, and Amazon drives prices down.
Watch for deals on:
Many stores even offer loss-leader pricing, selling certain items below cost to attract shoppers.
Money-Saving Tip
Don't buy everything at one store. Compare weekly ads and use coupons whenever possible.
Backpacks
Best Time to Buy: Late July
Popular styles sell quickly, so shopping early gives you the best selection.
If style isn't important, wait until late August or September when clearance sales begin.
Savings can reach 40–60%.
Clothing
Best Time to Buy: August and Labor Day Weekend
Retailers begin discounting:
Labor Day often brings even deeper markdowns as stores transition to fall inventory.
Shoes
Best Time to Buy: August
Many athletic brands participate in back-to-school promotions.
Look for:
Buy One Get One offers
Percentage-off coupons
Student discounts
Cashback promotions
Laptops
Best Time to Buy: Late July through August
Major retailers compete heavily for student shoppers.
Expect deals on:
Students may also qualify for educational pricing from select manufacturers.
Tablets
Best Time to Buy: July and August
Perfect for:
Digital textbooks
Note-taking
Homework
Online classes
Bundle promotions often include accessories such as keyboards or styluses.
Printers
Best Time to Buy: August
Retailers frequently bundle printers with:
Ink
Paper
Gift cards
Don't forget to compare ink prices before buying.
Dorm Room Essentials
Best Time to Buy: August
Watch for discounts on:
Bedding
Storage bins
Mini refrigerators
Microwaves
Desk lamps
Laundry baskets
Towels
Many stores create dedicated college shopping events.
Headphones
Best Time to Buy: August
Noise-canceling headphones and wireless earbuds often receive student promotions before classes begin.
Calculators
Best Time to Buy: July
Graphing calculators can be expensive.
Retailers sometimes offer:
Instant savings
Student discounts
Bundle promotions
Lunch Boxes and Water Bottles
Best Time to Buy: July
These products usually sell at full price once school starts.
Buying early gives you the best selection.
Arts & Crafts Supplies
Best Time to Buy: July through Early August
Great time to stock up on:
Markers
Colored pencils
Construction paper
Paint
Craft scissors
Many items also become useful throughout the year.
Office Chairs and Desks
Best Time to Buy: August
Perfect for students learning from home or setting up study spaces.
Furniture retailers often offer:
Free shipping
Student discounts
Package deals
Calculating the Biggest Savings
The smartest shoppers don't rely on just one discount.
Try combining:
Store sales
Promo codes
Cashback offers
Rewards programs
Credit card offers
Manufacturer rebates
Stacking multiple savings opportunities can significantly reduce your total cost.
Don't Forget Tax-Free Weekends
Many states offer tax-free shopping periods for qualifying school supplies, clothing, shoes, and computers.
If your state participates, planning your purchases around these dates can provide additional savings on top of coupons and sales.
Pro Shopping Tips
✔ Make a shopping list before sales begin.
✔ Compare prices at multiple retailers.
✔ Sign up for retailer email newsletters.
✔ Join store rewards programs.
✔ Shop online before visiting the store.
✔ Check for cashback opportunities.
✔ Look for student discounts.
✔ Buy next year's supplies during end-of-season clearance.
Final Thoughts
Back-to-school shopping doesn't have to strain your budget. By knowing when to buy each item—and combining sales with coupons, cashback offers, and rewards—you can keep more money in your pocket while still getting everything your student needs.
Whether you're shopping for kindergarten, high school, or college, a little planning goes a long way.
Before you check out, be sure to search CouponSilly for the latest promo codes, coupons, and special offers from your favorite retailers. A quick search could save you even more on everything from notebooks and backpacks to laptops and dorm essentials.
