Top 5 Back-to-School Budgeting Tips Wisconsin Families Swear By

Back-to-school season is exciting: new backpacks, fresh notebooks, and a whole lot of “first day” photos. But it’s also the time of year when many family budgets take a hit. Between school supplies, clothing, sports fees, lunch money, and all those little extras that pop up, the costs can stack up fast.

And here’s the thing: the spending doesn’t stop after the first bell rings in September. There are field trips, yearbooks, winter gear, activity fees, and so much more that pop up throughout the year.

That’s why it pays (literally) to have a back-to-school budgeting plan in place, and one that works for the whole year, not just August.

As your local, trusted financial partner in Waterloo, Lake Mills, and Marshall, Farmers & Merchants State Bank is here to help you navigate it all with tips that are practical, doable, and made for Wisconsin families.

1. Make a School Year Spending Plan (Not Just for August)

It’s easy to think of back-to-school as a one-time shopping trip, but we all know that’s not how it works. Throughout the year, you’ll likely run into:

Field trip fees
Sports team uniforms and equipment
Seasonal clothing (hello, winter boots)
Graduation gifts or prom expenses for older kids
Fundraisers

Here’s how to plan ahead:

Make a list of every school-related cost you can think of for the entire year.
Break it down by month and work these costs into your regular household budget.
Use a budgeting tool like a spreadsheet to keep track — or try the budgeting tools inside F&M’s online banking platform to simplify the process.

When you spread the expenses out, you avoid the stress (and sticker shock) of big lump-sum spending.

2. Shop Smart for Supplies and Clothes

The cost of school supplies and clothing can sneak up on you, especially if you have more than one child. But with a little strategy, you can score serious savings.

Tips to stretch your dollars:

Buy in bulk for supplies your kids will use all year, like pencils, notebooks, and tissues.
Keep an eye out for seasonal clearance sales (stock up on winter coats at the end of the season).
Check local thrift stores, consignment shops, and Facebook Marketplace for gently used clothes and sports gear. Waterloo, Lake Mills, and Marshall all have great small-town shops worth browsing.
Compare in-store sales with online prices — sometimes Amazon or Walmart’s online deals beat what’s in store.

Pro tip: Avoid buying everything at once. Pick up essentials first, then wait for mid-season sales for non-urgent items.

3. Involve Your Kids in the Budgeting Process

One of the best ways to prepare kids for financial independence is to let them practice with their own money, even if it’s just a small amount.

How to make it fun and educational:

Give them a set amount of money for their back-to-school shopping and let them decide how to spend it. They’ll learn quickly about making trade-offs.
Open a Youth Savings Account with Farmers & Merchants State Bank so they can save for things they want during the school year (like sports gear or class trips).
Show them how to use our mobile banking app to check their balance and track deposits.

When kids have a hand in making choices, they value their purchases more, and learn important money skills along the way.

4. Plan Ahead for Lunches & Snacks

Lunches and after-school snacks are a hidden budget-buster. $3 here, $5 there… before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars.

Save money with these tips:

Compare the cost of hot lunch at school to bringing a lunch from home.
Buy snacks in bulk and portion them out into reusable containers.
Prep lunches the night before to avoid expensive last-minute purchases.
Pack a thermos for soups or pasta so your kids have warm, filling meals during Wisconsin’s cold months.

If your child prefers hot lunch, you can still budget for it by loading their lunch account monthly instead of adding money randomly.

5. Use Rewards, Discounts & Local Resources

There’s no reason to pay full price when you don’t have to.

Ways to save throughout the year:

Look for local “Back-to-School” promotions at small businesses in Waterloo, Lake Mills, and Marshall.
Take advantage of free or low-cost community activities instead of pricey entertainment. (Bonus: It supports local organizations!)

Every little bit you save here can be put toward your emergency school fund, which brings us to our bonus tip.

Bonus Tip: Have a Back-to-School Emergency Fund

We all know the unexpected happens. Your child’s cleats wear out mid-season. They need new glasses. There’s a surprise overnight field trip.

Instead of scrambling, set aside a small amount each month in a separate savings account for these school-year surprises. Even $10–$20 a month adds up and gives you peace of mind.

Your Local Partner in Back-to-School Budgeting

The school year is a marathon, not a sprint, and your budget should be built to last just as long. Farmers & Merchants State Bank is here to help your family plan, save, and stay on track, from the first day of school to the last.

Whether it’s opening a Youth Savings Account, setting up a separate emergency fund, or using our online tools to keep your budget in check, we’re proud to be your local resource.

Start now: Visit our Savings Accounts page or stop into our Waterloo, Lake Mills, or Marshall locations today to get started.

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