Inflation could bring sticker shock to back-to-school shopping

Tips for saving money on school supplies.

Cruising through the classroom aisle, you may find prices for school supplies have gone up.

Notebooks. Pencils. Paper.

Essentials that may be harder to stock up on as parents stretch budgets to pay for groceries and gas.

Amber Campbell was on the hunt for a good deal Saturday as she shopped for her daughter who’s heading to middle school.

"We're looking for the regular notebook, paper, pens and pencils," said Campbell. "Those sorts of things."

Many other families are calculating the rising costs of school supplies and making sacrifices as high inflation takes a bigger bite out of tight budgets.

A report from US News & World Report shows that more than 75% of Americans are worried about not having much wiggle room for spending on school supplies.

Nick Hill from the Better Business Bureau talked with WRAL News on how to get the most for your money before hitting the stores.

"We only expect parents to be spending more this year," said Hill.

He recommends making a list of what you need and what you already have.

"Do a little inventory," said Hill. "See what you already have and if you don't have it add that to your list."

For big-ticket items, like laptops and computers, and items to fill up a dorm room Hill said look for student discounts.

"A lot of stores or even software companies will offer student discounts if you had a student id or if you could show them a .edu email address," said Hill.

Top back to school clothing sales Aug. 28-Sept. 3

Hill recommends getting your shopping done as soon as possible.

A tip mothers like Campbell continues to follow after each year of making this annual trip.

"Shop early and shop the deals when they put them out," said Campbell.

The Better Business Bureau said you can also save money by shopping online, but be sure to avoid scams.