Upcoming school year in Tomsk: Discover the importance of the cost minimum basket for the academic year 2025/2026
Saving on School Supplies and Uniforms in 2025: Strategies for Parents Amid Rising Prices
In the face of increasing costs for school supplies and uniforms, parents in Tomsk are seeking ways to manage expenses effectively. Over the past five years, the price of a minimum set has risen by 24%, and the cost of equipping a future first-grader has reached a staggering 63% increase compared to 2020 [1].
To help parents save money, experts advise employing strategic approaches. One such strategy is shopping sales and discounts strategically. By taking advantage of sales tax holidays, back-to-school sales, Black Friday, Veterans Day discounts, and other promotional events throughout the year, families can avoid last-minute bulk buying [1][3]. Retailers like Walmart offer many back-to-school essentials at lower prices than the previous year, including discounted school supplies and affordable uniforms or outfits [2].
Another approach is to buy only what’s needed early, delaying non-essentials. Parents can start with just a couple of daily outfits and shoes early in the school year, then observe trends and needs before buying more, thus preventing wasting money on items that children decide against using or liking [1].
Reusing and buying secondhand can also considerably reduce costs. Sourcing supplies, clothing, and uniforms from thrift stores, resale sites, or local community groups can help families save on uniforms and supplies that may only be needed temporarily [1].
Pooling resources with other families to buy commonly used classroom supplies in bulk from warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club, and splitting the cost, is another way to maximize savings on items like tissues, hand sanitizer, and storage bags [1].
Utilizing community and school resources can also be beneficial. Checking for local school supply drives, community centers, libraries, or faith-based organizations that offer free or discounted supplies and uniforms can help families save money [1][4]. Communicating with school offices or teachers can also reveal when supplies are truly needed, allowing staggered purchases [1][4].
Applying coupons and shopping during sales events are proven methods with more than half of shoppers planning to do so. Many parents use credit cards to pay with potential rewards or short-term financing tools (buy now, pay later), though careful budgeting is crucial to avoid debt [3].
In 2025, the cost of a boy's school uniform is 13,350 rubles, and a girl's school uniform costs 13,500 rubles. The price of a boy's trousers for the school uniform is 1,900 rubles, a girl's dress for the school uniform is 2,000 rubles, and the price of a boy's or girl's shoes for the school uniform is 2,000 rubles [1]. The minimum set for a first-grader in 2025 costs 6,000 rubles [1]. In the previous year (2024), the cost was already 16,000-18,000 rubles [1]. However, the price of the minimum set has increased by only 7% compared to 2024 [1].
With the new school year in Tomsk set to begin on September 1st, 2025, these strategies can help parents manage costs better in the context of rising prices observed over recent years [4].
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2] [3] [Source 3] [4] [Source 4]
"By applying strategic shopping tactics such as availing sales and discounts, stockpiling essentials, and looking into secondhand resources, parents can significantly reduce costs in personal-finance areas like education-and-self-development, specifically when it comes to school supplies and uniforms."
"Additionally, seeking out community resources, like school supply drives or local organizations offering free or discounted supplies, can help families effectively manage growing expenses in personal-finance categories like education-and-self-development and personal-finance budgeting, especially amid rising prices."
