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Back-to-School Shopping Underway as Families Look for Ways to Stretch Their Budgets
Families are delaying purchases and comparing prices as more than six in 10 shoppers report higher back-to-school costs, the National Retail Federation said.
- Back-to-School shopping is underway in Houston as families navigate record K-12 spending projected to reach $43.3 billion. Shopper Collins Otieno is comparing prices and waiting for sales to manage costs for his two children.
- Inflation sitting at 3.5% in Jackson, Mississippi has increased financial stress for about 40% of parents compared to last year. Prices for educational books and supplies jumped 9.4% over the past year, more than triple the overall inflation rate.
- Basic fourth-grade supply lists at Rankin County School District and Jackson Public Schools ran between $35 and $40. To stretch budgets, 23% of shoppers are spreading purchases over several weeks while 46% hold out for better deals.
- Households are prioritizing youth sports, with 7 in 10 families planning participation despite rising costs. To protect this spending, parents are dining out less, with 43% preferring home-cooked meals during the school week instead of takeout.
- Community organizations are hosting back-to-school supply events in Ridgeland and Flowood, Mississippi, starting Thursday. Texas' tax-free weekend from August 7 through August 9 offers families another opportunity to save on school essentials.
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fox40jackson.comReposted by 
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WDAM 7Back-to-school costs pinch metro families as inflation holds at 3.5%
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Back-to-school shopping is underway across the metro, and with inflation sitting at 3.5%, parents are feeling the pressure before the first bell ever rings. A new NerdWallet survey found families plan to spend an average of $611 on back-to-school expenses this year. That covers clothing, supplies and books. One in four parents said they are already planning to cut back due to the rising cost of living, and more than a thi…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution90% Center
Bias Distribution
- 90% of the sources are Center
90% Center
C 90%
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