2026 Back-to-School Shopping Trends and Money-Saving Tips with Consumer Expert Claudia Lombana
Emmy and Peabody Award-Winning Journalist Claudia Lombana Shares Smart Shopping Strategies for the 2026 Back-to-School Season
Back-to-school shopping is ramping up, and families are looking for ways to stretch their budgets as they tackle everything from school supplies and new wardrobes to classroom technology. Consumer experts say the biggest savings often come from knowing what to buy now, which deals are worth waiting for, and how to avoid paying full price on the season’s most in-demand items. Journalist and consumer shopping expert Claudia Lombana discusses the biggest back-to-school shopping trends of 2026, where families can find the best deals, and which products offer the most value. From preschool through college, she shares smart shopping strategies, budget-friendly finds, and the must-have items students will use throughout the school year.
STAY CONNECTED WITH BUSY SCHEDULES
Metro by T-Mobile is helping families stay connected this back-to-school season with reliable, affordable wireless options. With no annual contracts and predictable monthly costs, Metro makes it easy to save with deals like a FREE Samsung Galaxy A37 5G with no activation fees, a value of more than $450 — on the $40 PERIOD plan. It is the lowest price from day one and the best deal in prepaid, giving families a new device on America’s Best Network without compromising on value. Plus, bring the own device to Metro and get unlimited talk, text and 5G data on America’s Best Network for just $25 a month. For more information, visit www.metrobyt-mobile.com
A SURPRISE BACK-TO-SCHOOL HACK
This is a year-round hack at my house. The back-to-school season coincides with the end of the summer bug season. That is why the Zevo Compact Flying Insect Trap is a must-have essential for any home or college dorm. The Zevo Compact Trap is easy to set up, and it is the ultimate effortless solution, with built-in blue and UV-light that lures, traps and kills 99.9% of trapped bugs. The Zevo Compact Flying Insect Trap provides 24/7 continuous protection. For more information, visit zevoinsect.com
SOMETHING TO HELP AT HOME OR SCHOOL
Everyone needs to have a reliable printer this school year. Try the Brother’s Work Smart 1260 because it is the perfect everyday printer. It fits into small spaces, and it has a 150 sheet tray so do not have to worry about frequent paper refills. Print in black and white or full vibrant color, ideal for to-do lists, schedules, and homework. Easily set up the printer and print wirelessly from the Brother Mobile Connect app, and it is available exclusively at Walmart all for less than $80. For more information, visit www.brother-usa.com
IDEAS FOR CUTTING-EDGE TECH
Think cutting-edge and economical. The Dell XPS 13 delivers a premium experience without the expensive price tag. It is $599 for students 16 and up for a limited time, which is a game-changer for back-to-school shopping. It is thin, lightweight, and built for busy school days when bouncing between lectures, group projects, and downtime. Thanks to the latest Intel Core Series 3 processors, it has up to 17 hours of battery life, fast Wi-Fi, and it even has great quad speakers. It keeps up with everything from video calls to streaming without needing to hunt for an outlet. Find the new Dell XPS 13 at Dell.com
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