Back-to-School Budgeting: Credit Tips for Parents & Students

Promotional graphic for a live #CreditChat titled “Back-to-School Budgeting: Credit Tips for Parents & Students.” Event is July 15, 2026, from 3–4 PM ET on X. Image shows a parent and young child drawing together at a table, with Experian branding.

Join our weekly #CreditChat, launched in 2012 to help our community strengthen their understanding of credit and key personal finance topics such as saving, managing debt, and building healthier credit scores. Hosted by @Experian on X (formerly Twitter), the conversation is open to everyone—feel free to DM us with any questions.

This week’s #CreditChat tackles the financial realities of back-to-school season. We’ll share budgeting tips, credit strategies, and ways to manage education-related expenses. Join us to prepare financially for the school year ahead.

Topic: Back-to-School Budgeting: Credit Tips for Parents & Students

When: Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Where: Join the live hashtag discussion

The panel will include: Felicity Watts: Author at American Consumer Credit Counseling; Adriana Ocanas: Consumer Credit Cards Analyst for U.S. News & World Report; Angel Radcliffe: Founder of the Leading Beyond Limits Podcast and AngelRadcliffe.com; Emily Schwartz Ph.D.: Director of Financial Education at MidFirst Bank; Deacon Hayes: Founder of Well Kept Wallet; Jennifer White: Consumer Education and Advocacy Team, and Christina Roman: Sr. Consumer Education and Advocacy Manager at Experian.

Questions we’ll discuss:
1. Back-to-school season is here. What’s your biggest budgeting challenge when preparing for a new school year?

2. School expenses can add up quickly. What strategies help you stick to your back-to-school budget without overspending?

3. Back-to-school shopping lists can be long! How do you decide which items are must-buys now and which ones can wait until later (and hopefully go on sale)?

4. Credit cards can offer benefits like rewards and fraud protection, but they can also make it easier to overspend. What are your best tips for using credit cards responsibly during back-to-school shopping?

5. Parents and students often face unexpected expenses during the school year. How can you help prepare your budget for those surprise costs?

6. For students heading off to college this fall, what’s one budgeting or credit tip that can help them navigate the school year with confidence?

7. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options are becoming more common at checkout. What should shoppers consider before using these services for back-to-school purchases?

8. Saving on school shopping often means looking for deals. What are your favorite ways to stretch your back-to-school budget: sales, coupons, secondhand finds, cashback rewards, or something else?

9. Back-to-school season can be a great time to build healthy financial habits. What’s one budgeting or credit habit you think families or students should practice now and all year long?

10. As we wrap up today’s #CreditChat, what’s one piece of back-to-school budgeting or credit advice you’d like to share with parents or students this year?

Check out our complete list of upcoming personal finance Twitter chats here.

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