(BPT) - With pencils sharpened and backpacks zipped, American families head back to school facing rising prices. New Empower research finds that 50% of Americans say back-to-school shopping is more expensive this year due to inflation and 31% report feeling stressed about these expenses.

Stress hits hardest for younger generations

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans (31%) report feeling stressed about back-to-school expenses this year, according to new research from Empower. That number climbs sharply among Millennials and Gen Z, where nearly half (43%) say the season comes with financial anxiety.

Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) cite tariffs as a factor making supplies more expensive.

Swiping smart: How families are paying for back-to-school

More than a third of respondents report they're spending more th

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