Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

2 hours ago

Will Valadao Spoil Trump’s Plan for July 4th ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Signing?

3 hours ago

Shaver Lake and Reedley 4th of July Shows Are Wednesday. Who Else Is Celebrating?

7 hours ago

Elon Musk Says Senate Bill Would Destroy Jobs and Harm US

7 hours ago

Israel Strikes Pound Gaza, Killing 60, Ahead of US Talks on Ceasefire

8 hours ago

Trump’s Administration Finds Harvard Violated Students’ Civil Rights, WSJ Reports

8 hours ago

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

2 days ago
Inflation Busting Your Back-to-School Budget? Here Are Some Great Fresno Deals
Liz-Juarez
By Liz Juarez
Published 3 years ago on
August 4, 2022

Share

 

With back-to-school right around the corner, families are looking for deals — especially as rising prices impact school spending this year.

Several Fresno shops are stepping up to the plate with steep discounts on back-to-school items.

Amy Ratliff, co-owner of Fairy Godmother’s Closet, says she’s had more families come in than any year since the children’s clothes resale store opened in 2019.

‘”Last year, a lot of people were shopping online, but this year for sure there are more people coming in than last year,” said Ratliff. “With the business model that we’re in, we tend to grow in a downturn because our stuff is bargain priced.”

For school supplies, some of the best bargains are at the big chain stores.

Families should also be on the lookout for giveaway events held by Fresno businesses and community groups. There’s a list of some of them at the bottom of this story.

Inflation Stressing Parents’ Pockets

A recent survey conducted by Morning Consult illuminates the pressure that sky-high inflation is placing on families.

Only 36% of those polled say that providing back-to-school items isn’t a financial challenge. Another 40% said they’re concerned about how much the items will cost. And, nearly 1-in-5 said they can’t afford to buy everything their children need.

(Morning Consult)

In 2021, many parents got by with the help of stimulus checks and advance child tax credit payments, along with pandemic savings from reduced spending.

For most families, however, these savings are dwindling as the burden of inflation catches up with them. As a result, parents face tough decisions on spending for groceries, gas, and new clothes for school.

The best option for many parents is to take advantage of back-to-school sales and discounts to help stretch their budgets.

Finding the Most Bang for Your Buck

Despite inflation, parents have a few places to go for back-to-school shopping that won’t break the bank while offering something new for kids to rock this school year.

Big retail stores like Walmart, Target, and Staples are offering relatively inexpensive deals for school supplies with most items starting under $1 and as low as 50 cents.

Target Deals with school supplies under $1. (Target)

For parents struggling to find affordable school clothes and shoes, there are deals in thrift stores, shopping mall outlets, and even some big retailers.

Free Back-to-School Giveaways

Several local businesses and nonprofits are hosting free back-to-school drives.

For example, Kongo’s Barbershop in Fresno is offering free haircuts to anyone under 17 on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The shop will also have free school supplies, drinks, pizza, and snow cones available.

At Figarden Loop Park, there will be free school supplies for military and first responder families on Sunday, Aug. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In addition, the West Fresno Family Resource Center has a backpack and school supply giveaway on Wednesday, Aug. 10, from 3 p.m to 8 p.m. at the Valdez Hall in downtown Fresno. Children can access free haircuts, health screenings, and COVID-19 vaccine and boosters, as well.

Assemblymember Will Give Away Oral Health Kits

Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), in partnership with Fresno Unified’s Parent University, is giving away oral health kits Friday, Aug.5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Maya Cinemas on Campus Pointe Dr. in Fresno.

The kits are provided by Byte, an at-home clear aligner company that has been a longtime advocate for tele-health and tele-orthodontics for underserved and disenfranchised communities.

 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Wildfire Near Lake Madera Country Estates Burns 12 Acres, No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Fresno County CHP Arrest Two in Interstate 5 Drug, Gun, and Counterfeit Money Bust

DON'T MISS

California Seizes Over 600,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks. Newsom Calls for Safe Celebrations

DON'T MISS

Where Trade Talks Stand With Major US Partners Ahead of Tariffs-Hike Deadline

DON'T MISS

Labor Icon Huerta Breaks Ground on Fresno Park Bearing Her Name

DON'T MISS

DOJ Announces Arrest, Indictments in North Korean IT Worker Scheme

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Arrested in Clovis for Sex-Related Crimes Against Minor

DON'T MISS

Dyer’s Lobbying Works. Fresno Gets $100M for Downtown From State

DON'T MISS

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

DON'T MISS

S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs, Cap Best Quarter in Over a Year

UP NEXT

Fresno County CHP Arrest Two in Interstate 5 Drug, Gun, and Counterfeit Money Bust

UP NEXT

California Seizes Over 600,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks. Newsom Calls for Safe Celebrations

UP NEXT

Where Trade Talks Stand With Major US Partners Ahead of Tariffs-Hike Deadline

UP NEXT

Labor Icon Huerta Breaks Ground on Fresno Park Bearing Her Name

UP NEXT

DOJ Announces Arrest, Indictments in North Korean IT Worker Scheme

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Arrested in Clovis for Sex-Related Crimes Against Minor

UP NEXT

Dyer’s Lobbying Works. Fresno Gets $100M for Downtown From State

UP NEXT

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

UP NEXT

S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs, Cap Best Quarter in Over a Year

UP NEXT

935 People Killed in Israeli Strikes on Iran, Official Says

Wildfire Near Lake Madera Country Estates Burns 12 Acres, Now 100% Contained

40 minutes ago

Fresno County CHP Arrest Two in Interstate 5 Drug, Gun, and Counterfeit Money Bust

55 minutes ago

California Seizes Over 600,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks. Newsom Calls for Safe Celebrations

60 minutes ago

Where Trade Talks Stand With Major US Partners Ahead of Tariffs-Hike Deadline

1 hour ago

Labor Icon Huerta Breaks Ground on Fresno Park Bearing Her Name

1 hour ago

DOJ Announces Arrest, Indictments in North Korean IT Worker Scheme

1 hour ago

Fresno Man Arrested in Clovis for Sex-Related Crimes Against Minor

2 hours ago

Dyer’s Lobbying Works. Fresno Gets $100M for Downtown From State

2 hours ago

Suspect Identified in Ambush Shooting That Killed 2 Idaho Firefighters

2 hours ago

S&P 500, Nasdaq Close at Record Highs, Cap Best Quarter in Over a Year

3 hours ago

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

WASHINGTON – Billionaire Elon Musk on Monday renewed his criticism of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bil...

8 minutes ago

President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 30, 2025. (Reuters File)
8 minutes ago

Musk Vows to Punish Lawmakers Who Back Trump’s Spending Bill

23 minutes ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to Nearly 6 Years for $4.2 Million Tech Startup Fraud

Bryan Koberger, who is accused of killing four University of Idaho students, listens during a hearing to overturn his grand jury indictment in Moscow, Idaho, U.S., October 26, 2023. (Reuters File)
25 minutes ago

Bryan Kohberger Pleads Guilty in Murders of Four Idaho Students, ABC News Reports

The Blanca Fire, burning 12 acres northwest of Lake Madera Country Estates in Madera County, remains active with 0% containment and no reported injuries or structural damage as the cause is under investigation as of Monday, June 30, 2025. (CalFire)
40 minutes ago

Wildfire Near Lake Madera Country Estates Burns 12 Acres, Now 100% Contained

Fresno County CHP arrested two on Interstate 5 after finding about one kilogram of suspected cocaine, a loaded ghost gun, and counterfeit money during a vehicle search on Sunday, June 29, 2025. (CHP)
55 minutes ago

Fresno County CHP Arrest Two in Interstate 5 Drug, Gun, and Counterfeit Money Bust

Gov. Newsom warns Californians to celebrate the Fourth of July safely, emphasizing zero tolerance for illegal fireworks which have surged to over 600,000 pounds seized this year. (Shutterstock)
60 minutes ago

California Seizes Over 600,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks. Newsom Calls for Safe Celebrations

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Where Trade Talks Stand With Major US Partners Ahead of Tariffs-Hike Deadline

1 hour ago

Labor Icon Huerta Breaks Ground on Fresno Park Bearing Her Name

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend