Writer: Lynn Cadet
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Adam West
Key Takeaways
- 32% of parents predict that using AI or shopping apps will become the top way families save money on back-to-school shopping.
- More than a quarter of parents (27%) believe delaying purchases until after the first day of school will lead to the best deals.
- Millennials (33%) and Gen X (31%) see AI as the top savings hack, while Gen Z favors delaying purchases (32%) and Boomers would opt to skip non-essentials (36%).
Back-to-school is already here for millions of families, but parents say the real savings season is just beginning. Nearly half expect to spend up to $500 per child, and in the face of mounting costs, they’re predicting bold new strategies, from AI-powered bargain hunting to waiting until after the school bell rings to shop.
And here’s the twist: while AI is often viewed with suspicion in the classroom, parents now say it could be their biggest ally at the checkout line.
A new survey from BadCredit.org finds that nearly 1 in 3 (32%) parents expect AI and shopping apps to drive the next wave of back-to-school savings, as families look for any edge to keep costs under control.
Higher-Income Parents More Likely to Expect AI Savings
Parents see AI as the next big money-saver: the top trend they predict is using AI or shopping apps to hunt down the best deals and stack coupons.
Higher-income households agreed with this sentiment the most out of all other groups. Here is how households with different income levels are compared in their support:
- $125K+: 40%
- $100K-$124,999: 38%
- $75,000 to $99,999: 28%
- $50,000 to $74,999: 32%
- $25,000 to $49,999: 30%
- Under $25,000: 20%
While parents overall say AI will shape the future of bargain hunting, dads are especially bullish. More than a third (35%) expect AI to drive savings, compared to just 28% of moms.
With the rise of ChatGPT and other tools, AI has permeated every part of people’s lives, becoming an everyday assistance for life’s problems. So it’s not surprising that parents predict this emerging technology can also help them find the best deals and cut costs.
Tech solutions, such as browser extensions, coupon bots, and budgeting apps, can help families optimize how they manage their finances and spending, especially as prices rise and convenience matters more.
27% of Parents Predict Better Savings After School Starts
Forget the back-to-school rush, a meaningful share of parents now believe the best bargains come after the first day of class. Over 1 in 4 (27%) say the next big savings trend is holding off until after school starts, when prices cool down after the back-to-school rush.
But using AI and delaying purchases aren’t the only strategies parents are embracing. In fact, parents are predicting collaboration with other parents and smarter shopping tactics, including very intentional and minimal buying throughout the season.
The following responses round out the top trends parents think will soon mark back-to-school shopping:
- 17% say skipping non-essentials altogether.
- 16% predict that bulk buying with other families will rise.
- 8% expect more supply swapping in local communities.
Tackling the back-to-school season the traditional way isn’t cutting it anymore for many parents, especially in the wake of inflation. To take back control of costs, parents are forecasting cooperative strategies and increased planning to help them stretch their budgets in the future.
Boomers Twice as Likely to Skip Non-Essentials Compared to Younger Parents
Generational differences reveal striking contrasts in how families expect to save. While millennials (33%) and Gen X (31%) respondents were most likely to say AI will drive future savings, Gen Z leaned toward delaying purchases until after school starts (32%).
But Boomers stood apart. More than a third (36%) said skipping non-essentials entirely will be the next big savings trend, more than double the rate of Gen Z (11%), and significantly higher than millennials (14%) and Gen X (16%).
These generational splits highlight how age and life stage influence money-saving strategies. Younger parents appear open to new technology and timing tactics, while older parents favor cutting costs by trimming back altogether.
“Parents in older generations are going to rely on their tried and true strategies,” said Bobbi Rebell, CFP® and consumer finance expert at BadCredit.org. “If it worked for the first kid, let’s keep doing it for the other ones.”
Rebell adds, “But younger parents are going to naturally be more open to leveling up their game with newer options like AI, in large part because they are likely also incorporating AI into other areas of their life.”
Whether it’s delaying purchases or skipping non-essentials, families are reevaluating their spending habits. But the real wild card is AI, a tool parents increasingly expect to transform how they save.
As inflation continues to shape spending habits, the future of back-to-school shopping looks more strategic, collaborative, and cost-conscious than ever.
Methodology
This survey was conducted in July 2025 among 1,000 U.S. parents of school-aged children via an online panel. The sample is unweighted but includes a broad cross-section of respondents by age, gender, household income, and race/ethnicity.
All responses were single-selection, and each question received 1,000 completes. The margin of error is approximately ±3.1% at a 95% confidence level. Crosstabs by demographic group are available upon request.
For media inquiries, please reach out to catherine@badcredit.org.
