Back-to-school shopping is looking different for many Maricopa families this year, with parents saying rising prices have pushed them to hunt for bargains over several months instead of making one big shopping trip.
According to InMaricopa, local families are leaning on thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, Ross, yard sales and community backpack drives to help cut costs. Some are also reusing backpacks and passing along clothes their children have outgrown.
Nikki Geesey, who has four students at Heritage Academy’s two Maricopa campuses, said her family is trying to save wherever possible. She said the children are reusing backpacks and that some clothing items from last year were worn again, with some shopping done at Goodwill.
Darla Hyche, who is shopping for five children from second grade through 11th grade, said she shops throughout the year and looks for deals wherever she can find them. Brian Browns also said he has found savings at Ross and through a $62 school supply kit offered by his son’s school, which included items such as crayons, folders, pencils, glue, dry-erase markers and sanitizing supplies.
