STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As New York families gear up for the 2025-26 academic year, a new study reveals the most budget-friendly options for school supplies across the state.

With back-to-school costs rising, knowing where to shop can help stretch dollars further. Across the United States, families spend about $40 billion annually preparing for the new school year, data shows.

According to the United States Senate Federal Credit Union , parents are expected to spend an average of $586 per child this year. This includes expenses for clothing, electronics, and stationery such as notebooks, folders, pens, and scissors.

To help families cut costs, CashNetUSA compared the prices of 52 essential school supplies — from pencils to backpacks — across 26 of the country’s most popular national an

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