Parents are stretching back-to-school budgets amid growing economic concerns

Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stephanie Liebergen, KXXV (ABC 25) News · July 23, 2026 · 3 min read

This back-to-school season, families are bracing for higher back-to-school costs, as more shoppers worry about staying on budget. According to RetailMeNot, that number jumped from 29% last year to 37%. "A lot of people are starting a lot earlier just to help stretch out that budget," said retail ...

Why this matters in The Waco

In Waco, the trend of parents stretching back-to-school budgets is likely to have a significant impact on local retailers and the community. As families become more deliberate about their spending, retailers will need to adapt by offering competitive prices and attractive promotions to stay ahead. The National Retail Federation's prediction that increased competition will help parents save is particularly relevant in Waco, where a mix of brick-and-mortar and online retailers cater to local shoppers. With many Waco families already feeling the pinch of economic uncertainty, the ability to save $50 or $60 on back-to-school purchases, as shopper Katrina Stoneking hopes to do, could make a tangible difference. As the new school year approaches, it will be worth watching how local retailers respond to the changing needs of Waco's families and whether they can provide the value and savings that parents are seeking.

About this story

Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News. The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: schools · Published: July 23, 2026 · Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News · Reading time: 3 min

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When was this published?

This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.

Who reported this story?

This story was reported by Stephanie Liebergen at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Stephanie Liebergen, KXXV (ABC 25) News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 23, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 23, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Parents are stretching back-to-school budgets amid growing economic concerns

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