Hamilton family provides back-to-school spending tips as tariffs affect supply prices

As tariffs continue to impact prices on back-to-school essentials, one Hamilton family explains how they stayed in budget before September.

A new report from the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) suggests the average family will spend upwards of $750 per child on back-to-school essentials.

They say the impact of tariffs had an impact on spending, but one Hamilton family says they had to start way before September as a result.

“You know for back-to-school, they’re going to hike up the prices, likely,” said Lisa Marie Sandhar, a parent who lives in Hamilton.

This is why Sandhar plans her kids’ back-to-school shopping way in advance.

In fact, she shops for September supplies throughout the year.

“So if I see a really good sale on Nikes or Puma or something, I will buy it in advance,” said Sandhar.

Sandhar said this way she’s not overwhelmed when September comes, and stays on budget.

She has two children: one in grade school and one starting high school, and has spent close to $750 for supplies for both.

According to the RCC, this is the average spent on one child alone.

“The impact of tariffs, which do have a material impact or just the perception that things might be more expensive this year,” said Santo Ligotti, with the RCC.

In May, the RCC interviewed 1,200 Canadians to gauge the spending habits of families on back-to-school shopping.

They found price pressure was the top challenge, with 53 per cent of parents telling them finding good prices and staying on budget are the biggest obstacles.

“And because they feel excited or stressed or overwhelmed, they are relying a lot on product reviews,” said Ligotti.

Back to budget, savvy mom Sandhar said she makes back-to-school shopping an event. by shopping with family in Niagara and in Hamilton, and the rest she finds online.

Her tips for parents: take advantage of buy one-get one sales and buy the size your kid is currently wearing and the next size up.

“I’ll often do that, I’ll buy two if it saves money — that way I’m not overwhelmed the first week of September,” said Ligotti.

The main thread running through both tips is to plan ahead when back-to-school shopping.

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