Clothes, shoes, notebooks, backpacks — it seems the school supply list never ends. And once you’ve purchased everything, it can total up to hundreds of dollars, especially if you have more than one child.
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To help keep costs down, look beyond the usual retailers. Whether you’re shopping for clothing, classroom supplies or homeschool curriculum, these secondhand sources can help fulfill your back-to-school list without overspending.
Facebook Marketplace
While you can find used school supplies on eBay, Poshmark and Etsy, you can avoid the often expensive shipping charges by looking on Facebook Marketplace. Many people sell bundles of gently used school supplies, but sometimes they will sell items separately.
Look for scissors, glue, folders, notebook paper, copy paper, spiral notebooks, and opened packages of pencils, markers and crayons.
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Craigslist
Type “school supplies” in the search bar for your local area and see what appears. A recent search across different cities in the U.S. yielded scientific calculators for $15 to $19. Another listing included a gently used lot of pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, glue, folders and binders.
Goodwill
Check your nearest Goodwill store for used school supplies. People donate used school supplies to the organization, and new items arrive daily. Look for gently used backpacks, shoes, lunch gear and clothes from brands kids actually want to wear.
College students might also find furniture, lamps or small kitchen items that don’t cost a fortune. Teachers can check for books, shelves and supplies to stock their classrooms without busting their back-to-school budget.
Homeschool Classifieds
For those who homeschool, Homeschool Classifieds is a great resource for finding a wide variety of used homeschool curriculum. Categories include phonics, grammar, algebra, chemistry, foreign language and logic, as well as hands-on options like sewing, baking and cooking. Many of the listings are postpaid, so the price offered is the amount you’ll pay.
Geartrade
For used name-brand backpacks, check Geartrade. You can not only save money compared with buying new but also help the company’s mission of diverting gear from landfills. A recent check of the website yielded a JanSport Superbreak backpack with multicolored chevron stripes for $11.25 — 55% off the original price of $25. Also listed was a black Under Armour all-sport backpack for $24.75 — also 55% off the original price. Keep in mind that shipping fees apply.
Once Upon a Child
Once Upon a Child is a children’s secondhand store where you can find gently used clothing, shoes, toys and gear for up to 70% off retail prices. Over 400 locations exist across the U.S., and the company even offers customers a rewards program. For used items for older children and teens, check out Plato’s Closet.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Best Places To Buy Used Back-to-School Essentials in 2025
