Hey, Money readers!

The first day of school is right around the corner, which means it's officially the season of sharpened pencils, fresh notebooks and wondering how a single kid's supply list somehow totals more than your own office budget.

Thankfully, this year's back-to-school shopping season isn't all bad news. Some staple supplies are finally seeing price relief, even as school lunches, student loans and college costs continue to put pressure on family budgets.

So whether you're sending a kindergartner to school, dropping a freshman off on campus or simply recovering from buying a graphing calculator that costs more than your first cellphone, we've rounded up three timely stories to help you with your homework. — Kat Peach

Back-to-School Prices Aren't Rising Everywhere

🛒  After years of inflation-fueled sticker shock, parents may finally catch a (small) break.

Prices for many school essentials — including notebooks, pencils and some clothing basics — have stabilized compared with the huge jumps seen in recent years. Retailers also appear eager to lure shoppers with deeper promotions as consumers remain cautious about spending.

That doesn't mean everything is a bargain. Electronics, name-brand sneakers and dorm essentials can still deliver major sticker shock, particularly if tariffs or supply chain hiccups affect inventories later this season.

The biggest money-saving move? Don't wait until the weekend before school starts to begin rounding up supplies. Retailers tend to offer rotating sales throughout August, meaning spreading purchases across several weeks often beats one giant shopping spree. 

It’s also worth checking if your state is having a tax-free shopping holiday during the back-to-school shopping season, which can help shave some dollars off your checkout total.

And before you purchase yet another pack of markers, check the junk drawer. In my experience, there's at least a 60% chance it's already hiding three unopened boxes.

School Lunch Is Getting More Expensive (Again)

🥪  Has your grocery bill been testing your patience this summer? Well, school cafeterias may be joining the fun.

Several school districts around the country — including ones in Florida, Maryland and North Carolina — are raising meal prices this year as labor, food and operating costs continue to climb. While paying an extra 25 cents here and there probably doesn't sound dramatic, those increases can add up over a full school year — especially for families with multiple children.

If your household income has changed recently, it's worth checking whether your family now qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. Eligibility rules change periodically, and many parents who assume they earn too much are surprised to learn they qualify.

For families packing lunches instead, buying shelf-stable snacks in bulk and prepping lunches a few days at a time can help reduce both food waste and those last-minute grocery store runs that somehow turn into an $85 receipt.

Student Loan Bills Are About to Get Real

🎓 Summer break isn't only ending for students.

Millions of federal student loan borrowers are facing repayment changes this fall as the Education Department continues winding down temporary relief programs and resumes collections on more delinquent loans.

If you're helping a recent graduate — or if you're the one dusting off your student loan account — now is the time to log in, verify your servicer, update your contact information and confirm when your first payment is due. As a bonus, if you sign up for autopay, you could reduce your interest bill by 1%. That’s especially helpful, as missing a payment because you never saw the bill is a surprisingly common (and expensive) mistake.

Borrowers struggling with payments should also explore income-driven repayment options before falling behind. It's much easier to adjust a payment than dig out after delinquency.

Extra Credit

🌟  Before you click "Buy Now" on that seemingly endless school shopping list, try one simple exercise: Put everything in your online cart... then walk away for 24 hours. By the time you come back to it, you may have a different perspective.

It's amazing how many "must-have" purchases suddenly become "eh, maybe next paycheck."