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From gambling and pawning possessions to taking out loans, a new survey uncovered the extreme lengths parents go to afford back-to-school supplies.
The survey of 2,000 parents of school-aged children revealed that nearly one in 10 (8%) have gambled in order to have money for their kids’ school supplies.
Others admitted to pawning their belongings (12%), taking out personal or payday loans (15%), selling possessions (16%), accumulating credit card debt (20%), and using buy-now, pay-later options (23%) to buy their kids what they need for the school year.
The survey was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Beyond Finance to explore the harsh financial realities of back-to-school season as parents navigate tighter-than-ever budgets, a bleak economic climate and the “back-to-school parent trap.”
In the study, the majority of parents (70%) admitted they feel caught in a “back-to-school parent trap” due to pressure to buy their kids the same clothes, technology, and supplies as their peers, even though they’re financially constrained.
And more than half (54%) confessed that when they’re back-to-school shopping for their child, they’re worried that they’ll be judged by their peers if they reuse things from previous years (like old clothes and old technology).
This may be why seven in 10 parents (70%) said that back-to-school shopping is their most financially stressful event of the year.
In fact, 58% said that back-to-school shopping is more financially stressful for them than holiday shopping.
And this trap has a real cost: pressure to overspend. According to the findings, in past back-to-school seasons, 61% of respondents have bought something for their kid to avoid their child being judged or left out, and 42% confessed they regret these pressure-driven purchases.
Pressure purchases cited in the study include name-brand water bottles, coats, shoes, laptops and more, costing hundreds of dollars. One parent said their most expensive pressure-driven purchase was “a new MacBook Air for my older son because all his friends had one for school projects — it cost around $1,200.”
Another confessed to splurging on “a Coach wallet [for their child]. It cost me $600 just for a small wallet.”
Many of these purchases are fueled by guilt and anxiety. In the survey, parents admitted that they feel guilty if they’re not able to buy their child everything they want (74%). And most (69%) said they’d feel like a failure as a parent if they’re not able to buy their kid everything they need for school.
“Parents aren’t just buying school supplies. They’re trying to give their children confidence, belonging and the best possible start to the school year,” said Dr. Erika Rasure, PhD, CFT, chief financial wellness advisor at Beyond Finance. “When parents feel caught between protecting their child’s emotional well-being and protecting their family’s financial future, it’s easy to make decisions that provide short-term relief but create long-term financial stress. The good news is that children don’t need the newest brand or the most expensive gadget to feel supported. They need to know they’re loved, prepared, and valued.”
To afford school supplies this year, parents are trimming back their spending in other areas — and some of the cuts go deeper than skipped dinners out.
While many said they’re not dining out (35%) or putting money towards their hobbies (30%) or appearances (28%), others are putting off contributing to their savings (23%), paying down debt (20%) or paying their rent or mortgages (15%) in order to have money for their children’s school supplies.
Some respondents (14%) said they’ve already accumulated debt during back-to-school shopping this year and another 39% anticipate that they’ll take on debt (or accrue even more debt) when buying school supplies.
This back-to-school debt cycle is demonstrated by the nearly one in four parents (23%) who confessed that they’re putting the majority of their kids’ school supplies on a credit card this year.
“Parents naturally want to protect their children from feeling left out, but comparison can quietly become one of the most expensive parts of back-to-school season,” Dr. Rasure said. “The healthiest financial decisions come from focusing on what a family truly needs, not keeping up with everyone else. Children remember how supported they felt far more than the logo on a backpack.”
How parents are covering the back-to-school cost:
● Coupon cutting (27%)
● Borrowing money from family or friends, which they’ll pay back (25%)
● Using buy-now, pay-later payment options (23%)
● Thrifting or buying things second-hand (22%)
● Going into (or accumulating more) credit card debt (20%)
● Selling possessions (16%)
● Taking out a personal loan or a payday loan (15%)
● Pawning possessions (12%)
● Petitioning friends or family members to contribute money (12%)
● Making homemade supplies (11%)
● Forming groups with other parents to order items in bulk/wholesale (10%)
● Gambling (either in-person or online) (8%)
What parents are sacrificing to pay for back-to-school supplies:
● Dining out or ordering takeout (35%)
● Spending money on my hobbies (30%)
● Spending money on their appearance (e.g., new clothes, a haircut) (28%)
● Contributing to savings (23%)
● Going on a summer vacation or trip (22%)
● Paying for utilities (20%)
● Paying down my debt beyond the minimum payment (20%)
● Paying the rent or mortgage (15%)
● Paying pet care expenses (12%)
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of school-aged kids (5–17) who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Beyond Finance and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 20 and July 27, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.
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