Families are starting back-to-school shopping earlier this year. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), about 70% of families have already started, up from 55% last year. Starting early can help avoid last-minute chaos, and gives you time for shopping around for the best deals and maximizing credit card rewards. Additionally, starting early can give you time to plan and keep your spending within budget.
Why Start So Early?
With tariffs and inflation are still on many people’s minds, most parents want to lock in prices before they rise. The NRF found that 51% of families stated that worries about rising costs were what motivated them to head out earlier for back-to-school supplies. Getting out early also gives you the opportunity to spread the cost of big dollar items over time and can help alleviate stress from crowds, and last-minute shopping.
Being cautious and strategic with your back-to-school spending can help you stay ahead of any surprises and avoid future higher prices.
How To Save
Back-to-school shopping can be a chore, especially when the kids start loading the cart with pens, backpacks, clothes and maybe even a new electronic device. Try these simple tips to stretch your dollar this season:
- Use your rewards. When checking out, use your Mid Oregon Everyday Rewards VISA® and take advantage of the cash-back that offers you extra points in categories like fuel and groceries. Don’t have a Mid Oregon Everyday Rewards VISA®? Apply today!
- Stack coupons, promo codes and sales. Combine manufacturer coupons with in-store discounts, online promo codes and cash-back platforms.
- Take advantage of loyalty programs. Stores often provide exclusive coupons, early access to sales or points that can be redeemed for future purchases. These perks can add up over time at places you frequently shop and help stretch your budget further.
- Use store apps. Many retailers have digital coupons and alerts for flash sales that you won’t find in flyers or emails. The Fred Meyer app offers digital coupons and flash sale alerts, and Walmart’s app also works the same way, helping you score exclusive coupons and early access to deals.
- Track your spending and budget. Loading up with “extra” items in your cart is easy to do during sales when heaps of items are sitting in front of you. Plan what your kids need, make a budget and stick to it by tracking expenses as you shop. Using Mid Oregon’s Digital Banking, Financial Wellness widget can help you easily track your spending and set goals.
Out of these tips, using the right credit card can be key in maximizing your back-to-school savings. Mid Oregon’s Everyday Rewards VISA® offers 2% to 3% back in rewards on everyday spending categories like groceries and gas. If you pay off your balance in full every month to avoid interest, these rewards can add up, especially with regular school drop-offs and bulk grocery runs to prep lunches for the week.
The Mid Oregon Platinum VISA®‘s lower APR is great for large purchases such as laptop computers, phones or other expensive school supplies.
Bottom Line
Don’t wait to do your back-to-school shopping. Tackling the shopping game early, looking for deals and sticking to necessities to avoid overspending will be the right plan.
Learn to adapt and thrive in this uncertain economy. Maximize rewards and using the right credit cards to score cash back or lower interest rates.